Flawed characters, flawed choice

摘要

In theory, these are hopeful times in South African politics. After 50-odd years of backroom stitch-ups, the ruling African National Congress (anc) holds a competitive leadership election next week. It is a dramatic face-off between the in- cumbent, President Thabo Mbeki (pictured on the right), and an iconoclastic challenger, ex-Vice-President Jacob Zuma (left). For those who say the country needs democracy in its nearly one-party politics, mustn't this be good? If Mr Zuma wins he is almost certain to be the anc's candidate, and thus the favourite, to be president after the general election in 2009. If Mr Mbeki wins, though he cannot serve a third term as president, he will anoint his successor—and it won't be Mr Zuma.