Sunday 1 November, 3.45pm until 5.15pm, Henry Moore Gallery
The African National Congress (ANC) stormed to victory in the euphoric atmosphere of the first democratic election of 1994 promising ‘Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!’ As they celebrate their 15th anniversary in power and look forward to hosting the World Cup in 2010, the world’s eyes are once again on South Africa and on the ANC. Will they be in the dock for failing to live up to their promise? Or will Jacob Zuma’s government be hailed as a model for other developing democracies? What has happened in 15 long years?
Critics point to the rising crime rate, the modest housing programme, the failure of the education system and the poor quality of public services. Controversy also surrounds the racialised affirmative action programme of Black Economic Empowerment, which led to a ‘brain-drain’ and has failed to live up to its promise of providing jobs for the millions of people who voted for the ANC.
Supporters say the ANC is still dealing with legacy of Apartheid; that 15 years is not long enough to judge their performance and that after the euphoria they are now buckling down to real politics. This year, though, more South Africans voted for opposition parties to rule out the possibility of the ANC changing the constitution with a two-thirds majority. Is the democratic process deepening? Or could South Africa come to resemble Zimbabwe? What prospect is there of Western levels of development for all?
Listen to the session audio…
Other formats are available here
 | John Battersby UK country manager, International Marketing Council of South Africa; former editor-in-chief, Sunday Independent in Johannesburg |
 | Barrie Collins researcher and writer, African politics |
 | Andrew Feinstein former ANC MP; author, After the Party: corruption, the ANC and South Africa’s uncertain future |
 | Professor Keorapetse 'Bra Willie' Kgositsile poet laureate, South Africa; political activist; author, My Name is Afrika and If I Could Sing; recipient, National Order of Ikhamanga Silver (2008) |
| Chair: | |
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Sharmini Brookes
freelance writer and blogger based in Johannesburg; contributor Artslink and spiked |
Andrew Feinstein, former ANC MP and author of After the Party: corruption, the ANC and South Africa’s uncertain future is interviewed by Sharmini Brookes. Andrew spoke at the Battle of Ideas 2009 debate ‘South Africa: 15 years after apartheid’ chaired and produced by Sharmini.
Sharmini Brookes & Andrew Feinstein, Independent Independent Minds, 19 November 2009Apartheid may have been excised, but the scars still itch in unequal South Africa
David Smith, Guardian, 8 September 2009Despite the lessons supposedly learnt and the anc’s heady promises in 1994, there has been a false start of extraordinary proportions in the continent’s most developed state.
RW Johnson, New Left Review, July 2009South Africa, now established as something of a bridge between the developing and developed worlds, is set to play an increasingly vital role as global economic and strategic power shifts from the industrialized countries of the G8 to the new economic powers of the south.
John Battersby, South Africa Magazine, June 2009
An account of the power struggles currently dominating South African politics, and a crucial record of the ANC's record in power.
Andrew Feinstein, Verso, 13 April 2009
'What happens to a dream deferred?' The last three words became the title for an authoritative biography of Mbeki. Asked about the book and Mr Mbeki’s presidency one of the best known leaders in the ANC snorted: 'It’s not a dream deferred. It’s a dream derailed.'
Alec Russell, Financial Times, 21 September 2008The reaction in the US to racial oppression and racial discrimination, and the manner in which it shaped the foreign policy of the US with respect to South Africa, reflects a long-standing ambivalence about the promotion of and compliance with international human rights principles.
Richard Goldstone, Social Research, December 2005The recent acquisition by China's largest bank of 20% of South Africa's Standard Bank is a watershed event in the growing relationship between China and the development of the African continent.
John Battersby, MediaClubSouthAfrica.com
