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Choose ethical leader - Mbeki
16/12/2007 14:12 - (SA)
Polokwane - President Thabo Mbeki made a thinly-veiled swipe on Sunday at his corruption-tainted challenger for his post as head of South Africa's ruling ANC, urging the party to pick an ethical leader.
With Jacob Zuma sitting directly behind him at the start of the 52nd African National Congress conference, Mbeki launched a staunch defence of his eight years as head of the continent's biggest economy and called for unity among party members after a bruising election campaign.
After seeing some of his closest lieutenants booed and heckled by Zuma supporters from the conference floor, Mbeki then delivered a wide-ranging speech seen as crucial to his chances of staying at the helm of the party.
While Mbeki can remain head of state until 2009, defeat at the hands of Zuma would severely dent his authority in his last two years of office.
Victory for Zuma would cap a remarkable comeback for a man who was sacked by Mbeki as deputy head of state in 2005 after his financial advisor was jailed for corruption. He still faces the possibility of being charged himself.
Zuma was also last year acquitted of raping a family friend half his age, but ridiculed for testifying he showered after consensual sex with his HIV-positive accuser to prevent infection.
Although holding back from a direct reference to Zuma, Mbeki told delegates that "the character of our movement at this juncture calls for a leadership seized with ethical fervour".
In a nod to criticism that he has not done enough to lift people out of poverty, Mbeki said the "main objective (of his government's economic policy) is to reduce poverty and eradicate inequality".
Divisions clearly on display
"Since 2002 the economy has grown at a gathering pace ... Since 2004 it has been over 4.5% a year. This is the first time in South African history that we have had four successive years of growth above that 4.5%," he said.
"Our movement has the appropriate policies to defeat poverty and underdevelopment and create a better life for all our people."
Despite presiding over a lengthy period of growth, Mbeki has struggled to shake off perceptions that he is aloof and out of touch.
Zuma has been able to cash in on complaints that Mbeki has been too pro-business, winning the backing of five of the ANC's nine provincial branches as well as the women's and youth leagues.
But while Zuma is the frontrunner, no one is yet writing Mbeki off in the secret ballot, the results of which are expected on Monday.
Once a byword for discipline, the divisions within the ANC were on clear display Sunday at the opening when party chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota - a key Mbeki ally - was consistently heckled by delegates.
Zuma's supporters appeared to outnumber those of Mbeki inside the conference hall with Lekota battling to have himself heard above the chanting of Zuma's controversial signature tune Umshini Wam.
Several senior Mbeki lieutenants, including Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang were booed by the crowds. In contrast, ANC secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe, whom Zuma wants as the new ANC deputy president, was roundly cheered.
The five-day conference, described as "poisonous and divisive" by chief oppostion leader Helen Zille, began on National Reconciliation Day.
- AFP
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