Politics
South Africa: ANC marks 100th aniversary
The party also has struggled to find a leader as charismatic as the beloved anti-apartheid icon.
Thabo Mbeki, the president who succeeded Mandela, was unceremoniously booted out of office by an ANC congress that deemed him too cerebral and out of touch with the people.
Today the ANC is led by Zuma, a guerrilla fighter who was imprisoned at Robben Island alongside Mandela but whose polygamous lifestyle and extramarital affairs have scandalized South Africans.
Zuma’s leadership is being challenged by Julius Malema, the very same fiery youth leader credited with ousting Mbeki and helping bring Zuma to power in 2007. Late last year, an ANC disciplinary committee fired Malema and suspended him from the party for five years.
Malema, who is awaiting the result of an appeal and is under police investigation for corruption and tax evasion, has been denied the opportunity to address the centenary celebrants. But he will speak at smaller rallies near Bloemfontein, the party said of the young firebrand who draws support from young adults.
Sifiso Mkwanazi, a 26-year-old self-employed businessman, complains about the government’s lack of investment to create jobs and better education opportunities.
“For the generation of my parents, I think it (the ANC) has done a lot, but with our generation, I don’t think they are contributing as much as they should be,” he says.
Still, he said his vote would go to the ANC unless a viable opposition party devoted to the people’s interest springs up.
Cachalia, who has been a friend of Mandela for 60 years, says she wonders what he would make of the ANC’s evolution.
“I sometimes feel very disillusioned these days, but I suppose we live in hope,” she says.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
