Publication: Business Day Date: 2005-12-30 Reporter: Reporter:

Natural Disasters, Man-Made Hope

 

Publication 

Business Day
Date

2005-12-30

Web Link

www.bday.co.za

 

Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, terrorism and poverty were the top global news makers in 2005, a year which was dominated as much by natural disasters as it was by man-made ones.

For much of the year, however, government’s job creation and poverty reduction strategy was overshadowed by the astounding events surrounding former deputy president Jacob Zuma. This time last year, Zuma was one of the frontrunners to become president in 2009. Today, he stands charged with two counts of corruption and faces a rape charge. He has been fired as deputy president of the country and is hanging on to his position in the ANC by a thread. Despite launching a desperate battle which created the most serious split yet witnessed within the ruling party, politically Zuma is dead. While he will remain a focal point in 2006 as his various trails begin, the real question facing the ANC ­ and indeed the country ­ is who will replace Mbeki in 2009?

The race is on and we can only hope that the dirty tricks seen during the Zuma battle, which embroiled the intelligence service, don’t become a feature.

It’s been a turbulent year, but on balance, 2006 holds out hope of a more democratic and stable environment if the world’s leaders approach their many challenges with determination and maturity.

With acknowledgements to Business Day.