Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) – “Mine is not the desire to deviate from what is working. In a turbulent global economy, we will remain true to the policies that have kept South Africa steady.” This was what Kgalema Motlanthe, the new President of South Africa who was elected yesterday by Parliament (see Fides 25/9/2008), said in his opening address, in an effort to tranquilize the business community and investors who were concerned with the resignation of Thabo Mbeki, the former President who had begun an economic policy based on foreign inversions.
The new President has also confirmed the appointment of Trevor Manuel as Minister of Finance. Manuel is considered the architect of Mbeki’s economic plan and is very well-esteemed in the business world. Manuel, who had resigned along with the part of the cabinet that was led by Mbeki, has accepted the re-appointment.
Motlanthe has removed the Minister of Health, Ms. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, from office. She was criticized both inside and outside the country for having acted against Mbeki’s anti-AIDS plan, impeding the distribution anti-retroviral medicines in the state health centers. The former Minister scandalized the international community when she claimed that AIDS could be fought using remedies like garlic and lemon. She has now been appointed Minister of the Presidency.
The new President seems to have the idea of continuing on with the economic policy of his predecessor, running the risk of upsetting the left-wing ANC (African National Congress) members. In fact, some historians predict a split-off of the former Mbeki supporters, that represent the technocratic wing, close to the business world; others, however, are following Motlanthe closely, as he may just end up running in the presidential elections. However, the ANC candidate is Jacob Zuma, the party’s president, who led Mbeki to resign. However, Zuma has been accused of corruption for the acquisition of arms by the South African army. He had been acquitted by the Courts, however a new process has been opened. The ANC has been in power since 1994, however according to political analysts, over the course of 10 years, they have lost 30% of their voting public, as the people are disillusioned by the corruption and the lack of economic and social reform that was promised. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 26/9/2008)
