Deputy President Jacob Zuma should be considered for the position of president of the African National Congress. The ANC Youth League, calling for Zuma to be elected president, is following a tradition of preparation and discipline.

My concern is that we are always made to debate wrong issues — from the Thabo Mbeki-Desmond Tutu debate, to quiet versus loud diplomacy on Zimbabwe.

Zuma is, in the eyes of many, tainted by allegations that he apparently participated in corrupt practices with Schabir Shaik. Although Shaik is on trial, we read reports about Zuma. The detractors of democracy want to cast doubt on Zuma's capacity to lead the nation.

They deliberately link the decision of the ANC membership to elect its president to the election of the president of SA, not recognising the practices of the ruling party.

Seldom do they report that Mbeki had to be elected onto the candidates list for Parliament — and the fact that he was president of the ANC did not mean that he was going to be president of SA.

If the membership of the ANC wishes that Mbeki remain president of the party, he will not have a right to refuse. But if the membership resolves at a congress that Zuma should succeed Mbeki, then the president will duly oblige.

Zuma should be looking to succeed Mbeki since he was elected twice for the deputy presidency.

With acknowledgements to Fred Mokoko and the Business Day.