African National Congress (ANC): attainment of power, post liberation phases and current crisis

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Periodical article

Title:	African National Congress (ANC): attainment of power, post liberation phases and current crisis
Author:	Suttner, Raymond
Year:	2007
Periodical:	Historia: amptelike orgaan
Volume:	52
Issue:	1
Pages:	1-46
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	African National Congress (South Africa) government parties political conflicts national liberation movements
Abstract:	For much of 2005 and 2006, the ANC appeared to be tearing itself apart and was rocked by scandals and court cases affecting its Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, whose supporters rose in open defiance of the leadership of President Thabo Mbeki. This article traces the background to the current battle for succession to the presidency of the ANC and South Africa, and the consequent capacity to dispense patronage. It traces the process whereby the ANC transformed itself from an organization engaged in insurrection to one where it is simultaneously mobilizing and organizing supporters and acting as the government of a conventional State. This dual status as organization and government is seen as one of the key factors giving rise to centralization in the presidency and conflict with the ANC mass membership and its allies, COSATU and SACP (South African Communist Party). There are nevertheless signs that what happens at the centre and the top may not be typical of the whole organization. Notes, ref., sum. in English and Afrikaans. [Journal abstract]