[Edited Version]

A focused growth programme for the economy, a possible Cabinet reshuffle and progress on a new electoral system for the country are just some of the things on South Africa's political agenda for 2006.

Add to this the drama and intrigue of ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma's two criminal trials this year, as well as the high-profile appeal of his erstwhile financial adviser Schabir Shaik, and 2006 looks set to give the year just gone a run for its money in the news-making stakes.

Up first, will be the ANC's annual January 8 statement in Cape Town, commemorating the founding of the party in Bloemfontein in 1912, which will set the tone for the ruling party's political agenda.

A year ago it outlined an extensive programme of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Charter and focused on the work required of ANC structures to unite the movement.

This unity theme could feature once again with renewed overtures to alliance partners after a year which left the relationship between the ANC, SA Communist Party and Cosatu battered and bruised.

All eyes will also be on Finance Minister Trevor Manuel when he makes his annual Budget speech on February 15 to see what short-term measures will be implemented.

Some of the constraints identified as hampering the 6% target include rand volatility and red tape, much of which makes doing business difficult in South Africa.

The ANC is likely to see a few of its own changes this year, aside from the possibility of its deputy president falling by the wayside (depending on the outcomes of his trials).

It may lose another fallen hero in former party Chief Whip Tony Yengeni who recently lost his appeal against a jail term when the Pretoria High Court upheld his four-year sentence for fraud. He is now seeking relief from the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Zuma's corruption trial has been set down for July 31 in the Durban High Court while his next court appearance in Johannesburg in connection with the rape charge is scheduled for February 13.

The fraud case may throw up more than a few surprises, especially in light of Zuma's threat outside the Durban Magistrate's Court to go public with the "real reasons" behind his fall from grace.

Exactly what skeletons he plans to let out remain to be seen but the trial will no doubt keep the party faithful, and others, on the edge of their seats.

Besides keeping a watchful eye on his embattled deputy, President Mbeki is expected to make some changes to his Cabinet this year.

It was initially thought that Mbeki would have made any changes public when he appointed Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to succeed Zuma and named Lindiwe Hendricks as Minister of Minerals and Energy.

Instead he has held his cards close to his chest, leaving room for speculation as to who might be in or out after the local government poll.

Other senior office-bearers in Parliament may also well be caught in a shuffle, first in line among them ANC Chief Whip Mbulelo Goniwe.

These possible changes aside, much attention will no doubt be focused on Mlambo-Ngcuka who finally has the benefit of a fresh year after assuming the post of Deputy President in the middle of last year amid turbulence and controversy.

Will she come into her own in the post, undamaged by rumour and speculation which is bound to emerge as the presidential race hots up ahead of the 2007 ANC National General Council, where the future leadership of the party will be decided?

While little is predictable in the forthcoming succession battle, the months ahead are going to be riveting. With some analysts viewing senior party figures such as Cyril Ramaphosa and Tokyo Sexwale as still very much in the running, not to mention the lobbying and manoeuvres from the Zuma camp, the race promises to be a highly-contested one loaded with intrigue.

The government investigation into the so-called "hoax e-mails" will also feature in the succession battle as it gains pace.

The new year will also hopefully shed some light on other controversies which raged last year, among them the fight for control over the Scorpions.

This issue may see finality soon with the release of the Khampepe report containing recommendations on who should control the elite crime-fighting unit, and whether it should be absorbed into or run by the police.

Another issue still looming large is the damaging Iraqi oil-for-food outcry. The Justice Ministry is expected to finally make public its recommendations on what action, if any, should be taken against South African companies that benefited from the oil-for-food scandal.

Several complaints on the desk of Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana may also be concluded soon.

These include claims relating to Imvume and the Oilgate allegations (where taxpayers' money allegedly found its way into ANC coffers), Zuma's charge that he has been treated unfairly by the Scorpions, as well as the controversial R800-million loan from the Land Bank to Pamodzi, a company in which ANC Secretary-General Kgalema Motlanthe and former Northern Cape premier Manne Dipico own shares.

Probably the most contentious item on the parliamentary calendar this year will be the slew of Bills dealing with the judiciary and impending changes to the country's courts.

In November the Cabinet approved the Superior Courts Bill as well as a constitutional amendment that will lead to a major overhaul of the court system.

Both will be reintroduced in Parliament early this year after Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla withdrew them last year.

What lies in store for the other controversial Bills withdrawn by the government, which dealt with the training of judicial officers as well as a much-needed complaints mechanism for judges, is still in the balance.

The Bills approved by the Cabinet are intended to bring the courts in line with the concept of a single judiciary but are likely to include contested provisions such as placing the administration of all courts and budgets under the Department of Justice.

The portfolio committee on Justice has set aside the first half of the parliamentary year to process the Bills.

Changes to the judicial system could also usher in debate around the planned changes to the country's electoral system ahead of 2009.

The reforms, as outlined by a task team set up by Mbeki in 2003 and headed by Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, will see the country moving away from the current proportional representation system towards a multi-member constituency system.

And with Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi's statement recently that a possible reduction of the country's nine provinces was "firmly on the table" perhaps before the 2009 election there will be lots of scope for healthy debate and no doubt more controversy in this year.

With acknowledgements to Sheena Adams and the Pretoria News.