Mbeki forced out

[Comrade_007]

This is bad news for South Africa: Trevor Manuel has resigned as Finance Minister along with numerous other Ministers and Deputy-Ministers. If this is what the Zuma clique wanted, we are in for a roughperiod ahead. The politics of reason have been replaced by the old politics of intrigue, revenge, plotting, populism and emotions.

Bad news for South Africa and bad news for Namibia and the entire region. An unstable, unpredictable South Africa in political turmoil does not make for a fertile development platform at all. How differently this could all have been handled. For goodness sake: Mbeki had another seven months to go, a time in which the ANC could have laid firm foundations for Zuma's crowd to take over. Now this.

Here's more: http://www.theshebeen.org/blogs/news...ministers.html

[juikk]

Is the following true as per e-mail received?:
"

THIS IS A REAL DISASTER..



BREAKING NEWS: 11 ministers join Mbeki
The presidency has confirmed President Thabo Mbeki has received and accepted letters of resignation from 11 cabinet ministers.

This list includes most of Mbeki’s closest allies.

The most significant resignation is that of Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.

He is joined by Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils, Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour, Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin, Public Works Minister Thoko Didiza, Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi and Public Service Minister Geraldine Fraser Moleketi.

Manuel’s deputy Jabu Moleketi has also resigned.

The presidency says their resignations will take effect when Mbeki officially resigns.

All the ministers concerned say they are willing to help the incoming administration with the hand over process and any other assistance they can provide.
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[zakesman]

I hate to say: I told you so. The Rand was weakened shortly after the shock resignations. But let's not dispair. Trevor Manuel said he will be back in cabinet on Thursday. This has resulted in the Rand picking up against the greenback and the Euro. Let's keep our fingers and toes crossed for the best. We certainly do not need political and financial uncertainties.

[mindfactory]

Thabo Mbeki deserves being kicked out of office. In stead of focus on the mayority of poor people, he invest in billions of ZAR for submarines and fighter jets. Africa are in no need for more weapons.


As a true Pan-Africanist, I believe that African presidents should focus on poor Africans (education, health, housing and job policies should be changed, just to start with).

Away with all corrupt officials in government service. It's about time SWAPO wake up too. Would it not nice to see, in Namibia you find more then the spine-less idiots in politics? Or is it better to take up arms then to straight out problems smoothly?

[Mie1]

What you are preaching, dear true Pan-Africanist living overseas close to the fleshpots and away from the poverty, is called insurrection. That is punishable by law!

If you call people "idiots", just be careful that people do not start saying: "It takes a worse one to know one".

Respectfully yours from inside Namibia

[Uncle Paul]

Agreed, Mie1 - I wouldn't mind seeing the back of mindfactory here on our Shebeen. It's easy to cast stones from afar, and another matter to do so when you sit in your home. Shebeen, you've given mindfactory warnings before, so maybe it's time to take some action.

As far as Mbeki's resignation goes: He made mistakes, sure. He also had strengths and initiated some good policies for South Africa, especially on the economic front. I'd say the important thing now is that the ANC manages the transition in the interest of South Africa, not in the interest of the party alone. I think he's done more good than bad for his nation, and I think he should have been allowed to finish his term of office in dignity. Hi sbeing pushed out of office did not reflect well on the ANC, and caused a lot of instability and loss of confidence. It need not have been.