Shaken, not stirred: That is a fair description of the mood in South Africa tonight. Barely had one managed a breath after the momentous resignation of the president on Saturday, when 11 ministers and 3 deputy ministers resigned earlier today.
The loss of leadership includes the highly proficient finance minister, Mr Trevor Manuel, arguably the most significant loss of all. He has indicated his availability to serve under a new president.
But this entire affair reeks of rotten political manoeuvring. The executive committee of the ANC has acted with bewildering levels of blunder in their hurried decision to oust the president of the country. The departure of the members of the cabinet loyal to the president only serves to amplify the deep discontent within the party.
The prospect of replacements from the populist faction of the ANC, under leadership of the party's president, Jacob Zuma, leaves little room for optimism. It reminds with chilling coincidence of the rejection by the populist Bolsheviks of a tentative democratic government formed under the Czar of Russia in the wake of public unrest during 1916.
All major political parties in SA agreed that the events of today will prove to be pivotal for South Africa in years to come.
Rock-a-bye baby, in the tree top
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all
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