English

Hello 

Create Profile

Creating your profile will enable you to submit photos and stories to get published on News24.


Please provide a username for your profile page:

This username must be unique, cannot be edited and will be used in the URL to your profile page across the entire 24.com network.

Settings

Location Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location. If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to take affect.









Facebook Sign-In

Hi News addict,

Join the News24 Community to be involved in breaking the news.

Log in with Facebook to comment and personalise news, weather and listings.

 
 

SA 'scared' after Mbeki axing

2008-09-22 11:19
line

Johannesburg - The sudden ouster of President Thabo Mbeki in the biggest political crisis since apartheid has left some South Africans nervous and uncertain.

People had grown accustomed to the long and bitter rivalry between Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, who replaced him last December as leader of the ruling African National Congress.

But after the ANC forced Mbeki on Saturday to agree to step down as president, some are apprehensive about the prospect of political limbo until a general election next year which Zuma is widely expected to win. "They should have let him finish his term. People in his government have experience. They may just leave. Now we have no idea what will happen," said Peter Mathonsi, 28, a baggage salesman. "I don't like Mbeki. But this is not right."

Nervous, scared

Hair salon manager Nicole Carromea, 25, is frightened by both how easily the ANC forced Mbeki out and the prospect of a South Africa led by Zuma, who has been dogged by corruption allegations and a rape trial in which he was acquitted.

"I guess money and power can do anything. It's scary. It's time to consider going back to Portugal," said South Africa-born Carromea, whose parents are Portuguese immigrants.

Mbeki's ouster came after a judge on September 12 threw out corruption charges against Zuma and suggested there had been political meddling in the case. That infuriated pro-Zuma militants in the ANC who led the charge to push out Mbeki.

ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said the party was committed to stability and a strong government.

Lizel Oschger is not so sure. She worries the political shakeup could mean Zuma will become the next Robert Mugabe, president of neighbouring Zimbabwe, where the economy is in ruins after nearly three decades of his iron rule.

"This is scary. We will stay in South Africa now but will assess the situation," she said, holding her young daughter.

The end of the rivalry between Mbeki and Zuma has brought some relief to Ben Pierre Macherbe, 42, a property developer, even though he has some reservations about Zuma.

"Zuma is popular but he is not a statesman. As long as we have someone who can act as a statesman for Zuma we should be fine," said Macherbe, standing beside a huge statue of Mbeki's predecessor Nelson Mandela at a Johannesburg mall.

Since taking power in 1999, Mbeki has presided over nearly a decade of economic growth, the longest such expansion the country has seen. But he was widely seen as out of touch with South Africa's core problems of poverty, crime and Aids.

Read News24’s Comments Policy

inside news24

 

140
1
1 of 10

Latest comment in South Africa

Martin says... I would like to ask of these right wing fools: are you going to march against the monster who raped his ex-wife and killed his stepson too? Or is that crime acceptable because he is white? (I remember you lot being very upset when you all thought it was done by Black South Africans. and are you going to march to courts in Soweto because the most victims of crime in SA are black, or does that not matter? Listen to me, and get this very clear VVK. A few hundred fossils showed up for your Volks Vergadering. You do not represent the Afrikaners of this country. I am an Afrikaner, and I only have contempt for your evil ways. I will fight you in any way I can, I will debate you, I will show how foolish your ideas are, and I will be there - making it clear you do not speak for me, you do not speak for the majority of Afrikaners. You don't like it in SA, good, we don't like your sort in SA - so move, please please move. Go now. Leave this country for the vast majority of decent people of all races and cultures who just want to make our country work. Read the article...

 
Traffic
Lottery
 
  • Wednesday Ladysmith - 22:09 PM
    Road name: N11 Both Ways
    ROADWORK - two sets of stop / go controls just south of the R68 Dundee exit - expect waiting times of up to 20 minutes between Ladysmith and Newcastle (ends March 2013)
  • Saturday Pretoria - 08:07 AM
    Road name: N1 Both Ways
    ROADWORKS - lane closures on both carriageways for long term roadworks between the N4 Witbank Highway Interchange and the Zambesi Drive exit - EXPECT DELAYS (until Jan 2013)
 
More traffic reports...
 

Jobs [change area]

Cars[change area]

VOLKSWAGEN

CitiGolf 1.4i 5-dr MY04
2007
R 72,995.00

BMW

X5 4.4i 4x4 AT
2004
R 369,990.00

CHEVROLET

Lumina 3.6 LS AT MY05
2005
R 189,900.00

Property [change area]

Vulintaba Country Estate, Upper Drakensberg

A lifestyle estate beyond compare. Home Package Options From R990 000

HOUSES FOR SALE IN Swellendam

Houses R 1 800 000

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Casa Rex, Vilanculos

Spend 5 nights in at the magical Mozambican resort of Casa Rex from R7983 per person sharing. Includes accommodation, return flights, taxes and transfers. Book now!

Kalahari.com - shop online today

Legos

Let your child construct his own fun with only his imagination limiting his creations. Buy now.

iPad

Update the way you socialize, work and play with the latest iPad models. Buy now.

Max Payne 3

Seeking Redemption from the past, Max hopes to enter his last fight and finally put his demons to rest. Buy now.

Sins of the Father

Foul play in New York City sets the tone. Boundaries pushed, Loyalties tested and secrets unravelled in Jeffrey Archer’s, Sins of the Father. Buy now.

Nikon Camera Range

Capture and preserve your life’s precious memories with the Nikon Camera Range. Buy now.

OLX Free Classifieds [change area]

pool table

For Sale, Toys - Games - Hobbies in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date May 6

Lexus: IS

Vehicles, Cars in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date May 7

stylish bachelor furnished in sandton from 1st of june

Real Estate, Houses - Apartments for Rent in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date May 7

Gobii eReader

Only R899.95

Affordable, compact & elegant there has never been a better time to start your ebook adventure than with the Gobii.

Visit www.kalahari.com for millions of books, music, DVDs, games & more!

Apple iPad 2 White 16GB 9.7" Tablet With WiFi & 3G

Two cameras for FaceTime and HD video recording. The dual-core...

From R4999.00

I'm shopping for:

Horoscopes
Aquarius
Aquarius

For some or other reason, you’re feeling a bit more sensitive about how others see you at work today. Even though you’re such an...read more

There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.