The Zuma Era – Its Historical Context and the Future

Abstract

The article tries to unpack the rise of the Zuma-led African National Congress (ANC) and government within the context of the history of the organisation. It traces the history of the liberation movement within the context of repeated themes of unity, continuity with ruptures, and ruptures with continuity. It shows how the unbanning of the ANC set in motion relationships that substantially weakened ties between leadership and popular forces. This was exacerbated with the elevation of the ANC to government. The process began with Mandela and continued with agreement of Mbeki and Zuma. It is argued that there is not substantial ideological difference between Zuma and Mbeki, but difference in style, manifested particularly in ‘war talk’ and actions that threaten the constitution.

Keywords:

• ANC
• constitutionalism
• COPE
• history
• liberation leadership
• Mandela
• Mbeki
• popular will
• Zuma