I am an African pessimist, and it has nothing to do with racism. What follows is but one step in this seemingly never-ending continental debacle: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/200801...2c15123_5.html In Kenya 30 people die when a church in which they were sheltering from violence, is set on fire by rivals during ethnic 'riots'.

And yet another debacle is waiting just over the horizon. Jacob Zuma is president-elect of the African National Congress. Since the leader of the ANC is almost certain to be the president of South Africa, the shining light in Africa in terms of progress, technology, diversification, tolerance, education, 'western' standards, etc., will have this gentleman as its leader if nothing happens over the next few months.

This leader of the leftist constituencies within the ANC had sex with a woman he knew to have AIDS. He said that he was not at risk because he took a shower afterwards. At the time he was head of the National AIDS organization. Just fills you with confidence, doesn't it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4879822.stm

He was found not guilty of rape but not after disturbing ethical standards had come to light http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Zuma The father figure had concenting sex. Wonderful stuff for a president.

Changes of corruption and fraud are still pending against him after the original case was dismissed on a technicality. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Zuma

Yet I am often accused of being a racist when I maintain that it is only a matter of time before the industrial and financial engine of Africa, South Africa, like a large ship that takes a long time to turn from its course, follows the rest of Africa in the sad slide down the hill of disasters.

I remember being present in 1976 when a local white farmer stopped a liberal Scottish dentist who was describing why South Africa should move quickly to democracy with the following question:

"Hey, Boet. Which of the democracies between here and the Sahara should we take as our role model?"