Comments on: South African society & institutions are holding up so far http://mhambi.com/2008/10/south-african-society-institutions-are-holding-up-so-far/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=south-african-society-institutions-are-holding-up-so-far A re-deployed blog with views on Azania* Thu, 10 May 2012 21:13:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Mhambi’s 2008: Twice bitten by South Africa, once comfortably numb http://mhambi.com/2008/10/south-african-society-institutions-are-holding-up-so-far/comment-page-1/#comment-270 Mhambi’s 2008: Twice bitten by South Africa, once comfortably numb Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:40:51 +0000 http://mhambi.com/2008/10/south-african-society-institutions-are-holding-up-so-far/#comment-270 [...] so it came to pass that Terror Lekota and Sam Shilowa made noises about starting their own party. Archbishop Tutu lamented the impending split in the ANC whe if fact it was a good [...] [...] so it came to pass that Terror Lekota and Sam Shilowa made noises about starting their own party. Archbishop Tutu lamented the impending split in the ANC whe if fact it was a good [...]

]]> By: Michael Graaf http://mhambi.com/2008/10/south-african-society-institutions-are-holding-up-so-far/comment-page-1/#comment-79 Michael Graaf Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:23:02 +0000 http://mhambi.com/2008/10/south-african-society-institutions-are-holding-up-so-far/#comment-79 I am also encouraged by the resurgence of democracy within the ANC; whether or not one agrees with the content of any particular factional position, the mere existence of lively dissent is a consolation for the absence of credible parliamentary opposition. It brings to mind the original promise of what "African Socialism" was supposed to provide, a democratic one party state. Of course there is no guarantee that this refreshing phase will last; if the ANC manages not to split, patronage will be used to plaster over the cracks until next time... But a new, credible opposition party could easily gain the balance of power - needing only about 15 percent, i.e. reducing the ANC to 50 or less percent. It could then punch above its weight either in temporary or longlasting (one or more electoral terms) coalitions. I am also encouraged by the resurgence of democracy within the ANC; whether or not one agrees with the content of any particular factional position, the mere existence of lively dissent is a consolation for the absence of credible parliamentary opposition.

It brings to mind the original promise of what “African Socialism” was supposed to provide, a democratic one party state. Of course there is no guarantee that this refreshing phase will last; if the ANC manages not to split, patronage will be used to plaster over the cracks until next time…

But a new, credible opposition party could easily gain the balance of power – needing only about 15 percent, i.e. reducing the ANC to 50 or less percent. It could then punch above its weight either in temporary or longlasting (one or more electoral terms) coalitions.

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