Pumpkin time

The clock has struck twelve for President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. Yesterday, pushed by his party under the new leadership of the controversial Mr. Jacob Zuma, President Mbeki fell on his political sword with the announcement of his resignation. The wicked step mother, Mr. Zuma, and her ugly daughters, the ANC executive committee and the ANC Youth League, were clasping their hands in delight as the presidential coach turned into a pumpkin; the presidential robes, to rags. Tomorrow, Parliament will debate the resignation and most likely, accept it. A caretaker president will be appointed this Thursday.

The country is at once relieved and confused. Mr Mbeki has accrued for himself an unenviable array of discontent amongst many walks of the South African society during his two-term leadership of the ANC and the government. Even so, resigning six months before the natural end of his term in office, as stipulated by the Constitution, has left the country in unease over the choices before it.

Some would say that Mr Mbeki so much lacked any real leadership that his departure could not possibly cause any increase in the leadership vacuum that exists at the top. But be careful for what one wishes. Mr. Mbeki is a known quantity. With the likes of the volatile and recalcitrant Youth League as well as the rambunctious Mr Zuma at the spearhead of in-fights and power struggles, the country rightly stares concerned at the unfolding saga.

In fact, the resignation flows from allegations that Mr Mbeki has interfered with the judicial process surrounding an investigation of alleged graft by Mr Zuma as Minister of Defense. A court hearing found last week that the State could not proceed with its case against Mr Zuma due to evidence of political meddling in making the case. Plainly, Mr Zuma and Mr Mbeki represent two streams of political power on a collision course and the courts have become the battleground. This is a dangerous situation, but not entirely uncommon in the sleaze of politics.

Earlier today, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu expressed his deep sadness over the resignation of Mr Mbeki and called the situation entirely unnecessary and avoidable.

Tonight, a good friend from University, who works for Sappi, has mentioned that he is considering a job in Australia and will be in Melbourne for the next four days. The man lives a well-considered life. His move is sobering indeed.

There will be no prince to find Cinderella and bring her glass slipper. This political fairy tale of post-1994 South Africa has never been quite a fairy tale, no matter how it has been told in the press in the past. We all shall have to wake up to the reality of our beloved country. The dream is over.