In the Shadow of Mandela: Political Leadership in South Africa

Description

This outstanding and original work goes to the heart of South Africa's political problems - doubts as to the sustainability of the post-apartheid settlement, beset with divisions in the ruling ANC, factionalism, corruption and the widening of fault-lines in state and society. The 'leadership issue' has become key and this will be the first specific examination of leadership in the light of Mandela's legacy and its effect on his successor as potential and actual leaders - all in 'the shadow of Mandela' as the architect of the transition from apartheid to democracy, and with overarching moral authority and international reputation. Alexander Johnston shows how his successors are judged against Mandela's achievements, including the potentially impressive 'lost' leaders and concentrating on his immediate successors, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. The book concludes with an in-depth assessment of new president Cyril Ramaphosa's potential to be a leader for a 'new dawn'. This is an objective and critical work by a close observer who acknowledges the achievement of South African leadership but is acutely aware of the doubts as to the sustainability of South Africa's hard won democratic settlement. An essential read for all readers interested in leadership and in the traumatic history and future of Africa's leading state, as the continent rises to global importance. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Part One Leadership and post-apartheid politics Introduction: 1 The rediscovery of political leadership 2 The South African context of political leadership Part Two Leadership in the haunted present: Legacies and lost leaders 3 Possession and betrayal: Mandela’s ambiguous legacy in South African politics 4 Mandela’s successors: A framework for analysis Part Three Mbeki and Zuma 5 Mbeki 6 From Mbeki to Zuma 7 Zuma from 2009 to 2017: A narrative of decay Part Four Leadership in the altered future 8 Endgame: From Zuma to Ramaphosa 9 Ramaphosa 10 Conclusions Notes Preface Introduction 1 The rediscovery of political leadership 2 The South African context of political leadership 3 Possession and betrayal: Mandela’s ambiguous legacy in South African politics 4 Mandela’s successors: A framework for analysis 5 Mbeki 6 From Mbeki to Zuma 7 Zuma from 2009 to 2017: A narrative of decay 8 Endgame: From Zuma to Ramaphosa 9 Ramaphosa 10 Conclusions Bibliography Index