ANC Calls on Mbeki to Resign

20.9.08

It is 1:32pm (as I write) in South Africa and the breaking news is that the African National Congress (ANC) has called on President Thabo Mbeki to resign.

The decision, which is said to come after 30 hours of deliberation, further vindicates ANC president Jacob Zuma and casts a permanent shadow over the legacy of Thabo Mbeki.

Gwede Mantashe, the ANC's Secretary General, announced the National Executive Committee(NEC)decision.

Mantashe said of Mbeki:

"He did not display shock... he welcomed the news and agreed that he is going to participate in the process and the formalities."

From this statement it seems clear that Mbeki will step down.

Mbeki will now have to formally announce his resignation to Parliament. It is not known who in Mbeki's cabinet will stay or leave.

There is however an indication from Mbeki's Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, that she will resign too.

This is an intriguing set of events but it is not unexpected. I can't help but thinking that South Africa is better off without Mbeki.

At the same time, this is hardly a confident time for South Africa.

Who will succeed Mbeki is now the burning question. I don't expect that Zuma will replace Mbeki at this stage, nor do I expect that the ANC will call for an early election.

The opposition will no doubt want an early election in part because the ANC is perceived to be in turmoil and relatively weak.

Nontheless, it is more likely that the ANC will announce an acting 'care-taker' president as it prepares for, and moves toward, the April 2009 general election.

Ridwan Laher

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