Why African leaders cannot be taken seriously (Part II)

The nation of South Africa has an enormous number of societal and economic problems.  Many of these problems emanate from the country's racial divide: poor education, inferior infrastructure and development, rising poverty, inadequate public health management, and extraordinary levels of criminality.   An estimated 5.4 million people have HIV-AIDS; the largest of any nation.  The disease coupled with inadequate educational resources reduces the supply of skilled workers and prevents an indigenous professional class from arising from the blighted masses.  Rape, homicide, and criminality are at epidemic levels.  The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ranked South Africa (circa. 2000), "Second for assault and murder (by all means) per capita and first for rapes per capita" on a global level.

In terms of business practices, "corruption is rife in the granting of government contracts. Bribery thrives at the central government level, as exemplified by the high-profile procurement scandals that have been exposed within the last decade. Many companies also cite the procurement of goods for private companies as an activity likely to involve bribery."

Given that there are no shortage of problems to address, it is of great wonder how the current President Jacob Zuma, a Zulu traditionalist who practices polygamy, found time to marry his fifth wife on the 4 January 2010.  As the photograph illustrates, Mr. Zuma has no shame in dressing in traditional native attire and prancing about to the merriment of his betrothed and ethnic community.  His personal history prior to becoming South Africa's President is also very colorful.  According to Wikipedia,

Zuma has faced significant legal challenges. He was charged with rape in 2005, but was acquitted. In addition, he fought a long legal battle over allegations of racketeering and corruption, resulting from his financial advisor Schabir Shaik's conviction for corruption and fraud. On 6 April 2009, the National Prosecuting Authority decided to drop the charges citing political interference.

As usual, these African leaders always have time to indulge in what their immediate tastes desire.  Their ridiculous personal lives and corrupt governmental practices, that benefit both themselves and politically aligned cronies, confirms the reality that few, if any, African leaders can be taken seriously on matters of governance.