by James Kamchacha

Created on: April 24, 2008

South Africa could very well be Africa's giant and even a beacon of real democratic and progressive hope but is all well.As I reflect on South Africa I would like to view particularly its system of governance .

Politically South Africa is gifted in that it has individuals who have done very well as politicians and modern entrepreneurs.Thabo Mbeki to begin with is not exactly a dwarf politically despite his midget appearance before Zimbabwe's mountain of problems.Thabo has deliberately allowed himself to appear small just so he can save his personal friendship with Robert Mugabe.the reason why Thabo a possible political giant has appeared like a sick weakling is because of a deep rooted problem with South African politics.

South African politics have developed into a tragedy that African politics have been. the tragedy of African politics is that only one man becomes the centre of attraction in a party in a government and all others are just followers.My point is no one has ever heard the views held by anyone else in the South African government especially about Zimbabwe than what Thabo has said.Can a country be so much in agreement?
People like Membathisi Mdladlana,Ngconde Balfour , Thoko Didiza ,Mandisi Mpahlwa , Zola Skweyiya , Ronnie Kasrils , Brigitte Mabandla ,Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Charles Nqakula and Nkosazana Dlamini come to mind.This is because their ministries are certainly affected most directly by Zimbabwe and regional strife than others.Do these people consider policy to be quiet diplomacy or policy to be in silent agreement with leadership.
Zimbabweans are suffering in their own country because of a monster Thabo helped maintain.Was Thabo on his own in this.Every step fully approved by his colleagues? I would be surprised.Surprised because Zimbabwe is a crisis not just unto itself but even to the region and possibly Africa.A comesa talk show in Victoria Falls has had to be postponed , yet there is no crisis.
there have been reports of abuses of Zimbabweans in South Africa itself by xenophobic south Africans and by officialdom.Lindela refugee centre comes to mind.The deportation police comes to mind.A matshingelani on the deportation train to Beit Bridge was shown by many TV stations abusing poor Zimbabweans he was escorting for deportation.Accusations of abuse at Lindela and other relief centres like the Methodist church in Joburg have not been denied.yet they have not been confirmed or better still condemned by authorities.
This sounds to me

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