'The Zumani has arrived'
2007-12-19 14:49
Polokwane - Thabo Mbeki "humiliated", "crushed"; Jacob Zuma "controversial" - this is how the ANC election result was described in headlines in the international media on Wednesday.
Most publications referred to the possibility of renewed corruption charges and Zuma's rape trial.
"The Zumani has arrived", "shattering defeat (for Mbeki)", read Holland's de Volkskrant.
It made mention of there being a good chance of the new ANC president being charged with corruption and that the ANC's newly-elected deputy Kgalema Motlanthe could replace him, were Zuma to be found guilty.
Zuma's election only made it to fourth spot on the international headlines in France's Le Monde, behind items such as a train accident in Pakistan and fishing quotas in the Atlantic.
Zuma resurrected
It said: "The resurrection of Jacob Zuma, elected president of South Africa's ANC. This came after he was declared 'politically dead' following his being fired as South Africa's deputy president in 2005 and his arms deal corruption charges."
A feature on the same website, headlined "The ANC torn between Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma", begins with a description of Winnie Mandela and Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang being lulled to sleep by Mbeki's report at the opening of the Polokwane congress.
Agence France Presse reported concerns of market jitters as a clearer indication of Zuma's policies was awaited.
"Zuma becomes ANC leader" was the more sedate headline in Germany's Stern magazine. It reported him having a "good chance" of becoming South Africa's president.
It also mentioned the unruly delegates, technical problems and complaints by journalists of their treatment at the party's national conference in Polokwane.
Spain's El Pais shunted Zuma to the bottom of its international page, under a headline that referred to him as "populist Zuma", saying he had "crushed" his rival by winning 60% of the votes.
Across the channel, the BBC reported that a Zuma win would challenge unity between the ANC and the government.
"Zuma victory leaves ANC divided," read the headline.
Rebellion against Mbeki
It quoted South African political analyst Adam Habib as saying the result was "more a rebellion" against Mbeki than a vote of support for Zuma.
The Times Online described him as "South Africa's most controversial politician".
"Humiliation for Thabo Mbeki as ANC's 'big man' is voted party president," ran the headline above a picture of Zuma throwing back his head and revealing his pearly white teeth.
The New York Times described Zuma as a "Zulu politician", handing Mbeki a "resounding defeat" - following "furious politicking" and despite his "considerable other political baggage".
The paper's website mentioned that Zuma's plans for South Africa remained opaque.
"What little he has said and done remains ambiguous."
It described Zuma as "alternatively charming and prickly, comfortable in a tailored suit or tribal dress" and being, arguably, "South Africa's most adept politician".
News of Zuma's victory made it as far as Brazil and Australia.
The Australian's website reported him as having gained "unstoppable momentum" in his quest to become South Africa's president.
- SAPA