ANC two-thirds is not the key issue

With about 70% of the vote counted and the ANC headed for another landslide victory the vast majority of South Africans have confirmed that regardless of the views of those who oppose the presidency of Jacob Zuma he is undoubtedly the people’s overwhelming choice. Love him – which clearly most of the country does – or hate him, the ANC president is set to be inaugurated as the next president of the republic.

In the next few days Zuma will be presented with the difficult task of putting together his cabinet and selecting the premiers for the various regions. This will provide us with some insight into the ANC and the alliance partners thinking on the way ahead. More importantly the appointments may act as a gauge on how healthy their relationship is inter se post-elections. Make no mistake balancing the interests of business and labour is going to be a very tricky proposition and through the allocation of these vital posts we will be given a fair indication on how far to the left or centre the alliance pendulum is currently swinging.

As the party of transformation, mandated at Polokwane to increase the pace thereof, the ANC must not be allowed to dither in bringing substantial relief to the masses of this country. In this regard land reform is imperative and needs to start moving towards percentages that reflect the demographics of South Africa. Affirmative action needs to be maintained while BEE must begin to benefit a far greater number of previously disadvantaged people with many fatcats having had far more than enough of their share.

In order to ensure that these critical areas are pursued with the vigour that they deserve I personally will be looking at how many of the appointments are from the SACP and Cosatu. The alliance partners are traditionally very pro-labour and the masses and will not be deterred by vested interests into putting off difficult decisions. As history has shown us they along with the ANC left-wing and the ANCYL were not cowed by the powers that be when Zuma was sacked as deputy president.

Delivery of housing, education, welfare and the like is going to be critical for the foreseeable future and the ANC’s ability to deliver thereon is the key to the future success of South Africa at this point in time.

Let’s hope and pray that they are a roaring success as it will benefit us all.

The Democratic Alliance and Helen Zille have shown that they are a substantial party who will stand the test of time. Their numbers are up and they will form the official opposition rather than Cope who many believed would do far better than they actually did. Zille is rumoured to be the next Cape premier at this point and I’m sure she will, like everything else she does, put in a sterling performance.

Cope did not fare as well as many anticipated but having said that to achieve nearly 8% in a party only 4 months old is, believe it or not, an outstanding achievement. The key as far as this party goes is whether they are going to be able to keep building momentum or slide into oblivion. Only time will tell whether they are merely the anti-Zuma or a substantial party of the future.

In terms of the smaller parties Patricia de Lille has already confirmed that the Independent Democrats are looking at what deals can be negotiated with other parties prior to 2011 local elections. I believe this gutsy fireball needs to find a bigger home where her significant impact can be employed to greater effect. The IFP were run over by the Tzunami and the PAC has to be asking itself whether it continues to be a relevant party.

For me the fact that I am alive to share with you all this wonderfully peaceful (by African standards) election and the reshuffling of the parliamentary deck makes this the most special election of my existence.

God bless South Africa and all who sail her.