African politics - a review

[Andy Rabagliati <andyr@wizzy.com>]

Nigeria -

A big turn-around - elections this weekend. The front-runner is an
ex-military ruler - there is no other kind in Nigeria. The good news is
that he is the only military ruler to have voluntarily handed over to a
civilian government in the past.

He is running for president this time.

The bad news - Nigeria has institutionalised corruption - it is
normality. It is a long road back - this weekends elections are the
first step. The hard work however is to persuade the small towns (and
big) that there is an alternative to the style of control that everybody
has grown up to understand.

Zimbabwe -

Mugabe has to go.

'Zim' has a great deal going for it - good infrastructure, an educated
population, a beautiful country, proximity to South Africa.

Mugabe, however, sees enemies everywhere. He is late, very late, on his
obligations to the blacks who helped him 20 years ago in his struggle
against the Ian Smith government that led to the the independence they
enjoy now. His answer is a wholesale transfer of land from successful
Whites to landless Blacks.

Internation opinion is looking for 'transparency' - todays watchword,
and a good one, in africa.

His government is also over-staffed, with cronies, africa-style, and
after a disastrous devaluation/inflation last year where the Zim dollar
fell to less than 50% of its value. He cannot see a future for the
country without him. He has had a battle with the judiciary recently,
over some journalists that were illegally taken into custody by the
army and tortured. He has already lost that battle on the international
stage, and he doesn't even know it.

He is propping up Kabila in the old Zaire - an unpopular military
involvement, and a failed diversion from problems at home.

Angola -

A naturally rich and beautiful country ravaged by decades of conflict.
No sign of relief.

South Africa -

Heading for elections this year. No credible opposition to the ANC - the
incumbents. The UDM is turning into the 'protest' party - not because
they want to be there, but because they were thrown out by the 'others'.
Regionally, the IFP (Zulu) and the New National Party may gain seats,
but as a minor opposition only. Maybe we have to wait until 2004 for a
real choice.

Andy -

I have been spending a considerable amount of time hiring people - a
valuable skill, it appears. Kinda fun too - I enjoy it, and I am the
authority ..

Looking to take a break from April - to pursue my plans on free data
transport, that you may know about if I have spent much time with
you !  I plan on travelling back to Eshowe, Swaziland, and Johannesburg,
with a trip back to the USA in the June timeframe.

Cheers,      Andy!

--
unsubscription:- Subject "unsubscribe user@domain.com" to za-request@wizzy.com
     Archive:- http://www.wizzy.com/andyr/rsa/
Andy Rabagliati  .  andyr@wizzy.com  .  http://www.wizzy.com/andyr/