Political Developments in South Africa

Why in news?

African National Congress (ANC), a primary political party in South Africa, is expected to pick a new party chief.

Why is it a milestone event?

• Currently, the president of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma is also the Chief of the ANC.
• Considering the primacy of the ANC in the South Africa, it is likely that the new party chief would become the next national president.
• This thereby provides an opportunity to break away from the current political legacy of corruption and governance failures.

Who are the main contenders?

• The Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Ms. Nkosazana Dlamini (Mr. Zuma’s ex-wife) are the main contenders.
• While Ms. Cyril is a strong presence in the party’s constitutional wing, Ms. Dlamini has been a minister across several cabinets.
• Ms. Dlamini is seen as the candidate of continuity as she is echoing Mr. Zuma’s call for “radical economic transformation”.
• Significantly, this program is invested in redistribution of resource to the impoverished black majority.
• But if she prevails, it is also expected to muddy the prospects of any investigation into financial dealings of Mr. Zuma’s family.
• Yet, even if Mr. Ramaphosa (who is promising change) triumphs at the party conclave, the troubles of the ANC are far from over.

What are the challenges?

• Any new leader will be inheriting a troubled political system and a nervous, gloomy economy.
• Steadily rising unemployment (currently 28%), has been the chief characteristic of the current scandal-ridden decade in South Africa.
• Also, with its overall popularity of ANC sliding, the party will have to work hard to nurture competent next gen leaders. 

Source: The Hindu