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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 001694 
 
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E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KDEM PGOV ASEC SF POL PAS ECON
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA POLITICAL NEWSLETTER AUGUST 16-AUGUST 22 
 
PRETORIA 00001694  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) This was written in partnership with the Open Source 
Center's Pretoria Bureau.  The newsletter is open to contributions 
from officers in the Embassy or in the Consulates who wish to 
highlight political trends.  Contact Madeline Seidenstricker or 
Jonathan Smallridge for more information, or to make contributions. 
The newsletter also is available on the Political Section's blog, "A 
View from South Africa," found on intelink.gov. 
 
------------------ 
International News 
------------------ 
 
Zuma Visit to Angola 
 
¶2. (U) President Jacob Zuma from August 20 to 21 traveled to Angola 
on his first state visit.  Delegates included:  International 
Relations and Cooperation (DICO) Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, 
Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Sport and 
Recreation Makhenkesi Stofile, Minister of Public Enterprises 
Barbara Hogan, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Minerals 
Minister Susan Shabangu, Evaluation and Monitoring Minister in the 
Presidency Collins Chabane, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters, Minister 
of Finance Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Transport Sbu Ndebele, 
Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale and senior officials 
from various government departments.  A large South African business 
delegation also travelled to Angola to join Zuma.  The visit takes 
place within the context of efforts aimed at consolidating strategic 
bilateral and economic relations between the two countries.  (DFA 
Briefing, 17 August) 
 
DICO Minister Hosts Timor-Leste Counterpart 
 
¶3. (U)  Nkoana-Mashabane hosted Dr. Zacarias da Costa at the 
presidential guest house on Monday August 17.  Dr. da Costa is 
visiting SA on official visit within the context of South-South 
relations between the two countries.  The bilateral meeting between 
the two ministers was aimed at exploring and identifying areas of 
cooperation for the benefit of both nations.  The South African 
Government (SAG) played a role in assisting with nation building in 
East Timor.  The SAG has offered assistance in reconstruction and 
development, good governance and youth education.  (DFA Briefing, 16 
August) 
 
Zuma Expected to Visit Zimbabwe 
 
¶4. (U)  An expected meeting between members of the unity government 
to discuss current challenges failed to materialize.  Zuma plans to 
visit Zimbabwe before month's end before stepping down as Southern 
Africa Development Community chairman early next month.  Zuma is 
also expected to open the annual Harare Agricultural Show on August 
¶27. (Business Day, August 17) 
 
------------- 
Domestic News 
------------- 
 
 
¶5. (U)  Zuma has warned African National Congress (ANC) mayors and 
councilors that there is no room for complacency in his government. 
The President met with mayors, councilors, the Free State ANC 
provincial executive committee, and regional leadership to discuss 
recent service delivery protests in the country.  He told the 
leaders they would be dismissed if they failed to deliver.  The 
Independent Democrats (ID) welcomed Zuma's meeting, ID Member of 
Parliament Joe Mcgluwa said they hope the president's attempt to 
align provincial and local government programs with national 
government will assist in service delivery.  (The Citizen, August 
16, 2009) 
 
Service Delivery Protestors Arrested 
 
¶6. (U)  Seventy-eight service delivery protesters were arrested on 
Monday night in Kgakala Township.  More than 500 people barricaded 
roads, burnt tires and threw stones at the police.   The protesters 
Qroads, burnt tires and threw stones at the police.   The protesters 
were expected to appear in the Leeudoringstad Magistrate's Court 
this week to be formally charged with public violence.  North West 
Senior Superintendent Lesego Metsi says the protesters met their 
provincial MEC for local government last week, but were not 
satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.  (The Star, August, 18, 
2009) 
Zuma Launches National Comprehensive Rural Development Program 
¶7. (U)  Zuma launched the National Comprehensive Rural Development 
Program in Muyexe village in Giyani-Thohoyandou.  The program is a 
joint venture between the government and private sector.  Earlier 
this year the government pledged millions of dollars to improve the 
lives of people through development in rural areas.  Twenty-one 
projects have been identified by the community, with the help of the 
Mopani municipality, to benefit local people.  The capital raised 
will be used for infrastructure such as upgrading and refurbishing 
 
PRETORIA 00001694  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
of agricultural colleges, training, advisory services and marketing 
centers.  The program is earmarked as the main tool of the Public 
Works Department to create 500,000 jobs before the end of the year 
as promised by Zuma.  (Sowetan, August, 18, 2009) 
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Youth Protest 
¶8. (U)  IFP members disrupted traffic on Tuesday morning August, 17, 
2009 as they demonstrated outside the party offices in Durban. The 
IFP Youth Brigade has accused the party of paternalism and 
unilateral decision-making. This follows the expulsion of three 
youth leaders last week.  (SABCNEWS, August, 17, 2009) 
Opposition Backs Moseneke for Chief Justice 
¶9. (U)  Three opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance (DA), the 
Congress of the People (COPE) and the Independent Democrats (ID) 
this week Zuma to reconsider his nomination for chief justice.  The 
parties urged Zuma to give the job to Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang 
Moseneke.  In a joint statement the opposition said Moseneke has 
been groomed for the position of chief justice for four years and 
has all the experience required for it.  Earlier this month the DA, 
Cope and ID wrote to Zuma, complaining that he had ignored the 
Constitution by only inviting their comment after nominating Judge 
Sandile Ngcobo.  (Mail and Guardian, August 19, 2009) 
Gips