AFRICA
ADEKEYE ADEBAJO: Tenacious instability threatens Africa’s 2018 growth prospects
Africa has entered another year with mixed prospects for its 55 states. Starting in SA — the regional Gulliver that controls 60% of Southern Africa’s economy — President Jacob Zuma has become a "dead man walking" following Cyril Ramaphosa’s victory in the ANC presidential election. Backed by a cheerleading, biased media and supported by big business, the messianic expectations of Ramaphosa becoming a new broom to sweep out corruption could prove difficult owing to a wafer-thin ANC presidential victory. SA’s prospects are unlikely to improve dramatically if Ramaphosa does not show the courage to avoid being beholden to local and foreign business interests and the tyranny of ratings agencies, rather than tackling the plight of the 55% of the black population that still lives in grinding poverty. Changes of leadership from long-ruling autocrats in Zimbabwe and Angola will see Emmerson Mnangagwa and Joâo Lourenço, respectively, seek to consolidate their grip on power. Lourenço will have...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.