SA media hails 'new dawn' in Zim

2008-07-22 11:13

Johannesburg - A landmark deal between Zimbabwe's arch political rivals was hailed by South Africa's media Tuesday as a new dawn for the troubled nation and a diplomatic coup for under-fire mediator President Thabo Mbeki.

"Hope in a handshake," read the front-page headline of the The Star, over a picture of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai together at Monday's signing ceremony in Harare while the Business Day trumpeted a "New Dawn in Zimbabwe as Mugabe accepts deal."

In their first meeting in over a decade, Tsvangirai and Mugabe agreed to hold fully-fledged talks aimed at resolving a political crisis sparked by disputed elections in March which has led to a deadly bout of violence.

The agreement was overseen by Mbeki, who has previously been heavily criticised for his refusal to publicly condemn the 84-year-old Mugabe and faced calls from Tsvangirai to be axed as mediator.

The Times said the signing had "finally bought Mbeki a moment in the sun", adding he now "needs our support as he pushes on with these critical talks".

'Real hope'

"There is, for the first time in more than a decade, real hope that Zimbabwe will move forward," it said in an editorial.

The Star agreed that "credit must go to President Mbeki who has had to endure scathing criticism over his quiet diplomacy approach."

"For now, it appears to have paid off," it added.

However the same paper said it was too early to start popping the champagne corks, pointing out that the atmosphere was "far from cordial" at the signing ceremony, despite the bonhomie exuded by Mbeki.

"Not to be mistaken as a breakthrough, yesterday marked but the beginning of a delicate process, an agreement on behalf of both men to talk, at the very least," it said.

- AFP