President Zuma is 'not a saint', writes Alfred Muleka, but as a proud Zulu man, a traditonalist and a nationalist, he deserves 'protection and respect under the constitution'. Polygamy is not illegal in South Africa, says Muleka, so let's respect this right rather than judging it by Western stanadards.

© South Africa’s constitution guarantees rights but it doesn’t set out reciprocal responsibilities and that’s where this young democracy’s problems start, argues Alfred Mafuleka. Some people feel the country has gone down on morals, says Mafuleka, and this year’s general elections are a huge test of its character. Outlining the internal problems that led to a split within the ANC (African National Congress) and the subsequent formation of splinter group the Congress of the People (COPE), Mafuleka suggests that opposition parties hoping to secure a victory over Jacob Zuma at the elections by presenting themselves as moral and corruption-free will be disappointed when this year’s results are announced.

Zimbabwe remains a sensitive issue, that has been allowed to fester to almost unredeemable proportions. But it is the people of Zimbabwe who must stand up and be counted. Yes, they need support from all of us in Africa and the world, but they must know that they have the power to decide how they want their country to move forward.

It is clear that the outgoing ruling elite of Zanu-PF is not willing to let go of power. The irony of the situation in Zimbabwe is that you hear of only one man, who runs the show there! Who are the side-kicks? Who are the pretenders to the throne? Does that mean there is no other potential leader to take over, as in all cases it is Mugabe being put forward? Does he ever consult or get any second opinion from party members? Is there space for such opinion or advice?

My opinion is that Mugabe has become a liability for Zanu-PF, hence people like Simba Makoni and others decided to jump ship, though very late! But it is disappointing that in Africa, leaders are doing what is not in the interest of their people! They don't seem to take advice kindly if they get it at all!

Why are both the AU and SADC silent when such clear electoral transgressions as happened in Kenya and Zimbabwe take place? Is this the closing of ranks among the elite? President Mbeki said "the situation in Zimbabwe is manageable", really so? How do you prepare for a run-off when the results are unknown, have not been released? Shouldn't a run-off take only after a tie? Who is fooling who here?

Africa stand up, clean up your act!

I cannot agree more with Tajudeen Abdul-Raheen’s views regarding Africa’s participation in the World Cup. The positive of it especially the 2006 is that all the African countries that were there did play the best they could with Ghana giving excellent account of what African football is all about. Pity, none of them could reach the last stages but Ghana made all of Africa proud by reaching the last 16 group stage. Disparities in terms of economic status is so glaring in the World Cup, the results speak for themselves!

With Brazil failing to ignite the scene and being edged out by a not-so-convincing France spelt disaster for the third and developing world. It is true African players shine as individuals or when they play for their high paying European teams or those adopted (new form of colonialism) by these countries! France is the case in point!

I doubt if honourable Bhamjee’s expulsion has racism undertones, I think he committed big error of judgment, or fell into a trap he should not have. But the speed with which he was dealt with, leaves one wondering if the world body (Fifa) is really this swift and efficient in dealing with misdemeanors in all cases?

I will generally agree that racism is still a huge problem, despite attempts to stem the tide. How do you explain the malicious rumours that circulated in SA this past weekend hinting that “Fifa was going to take the right of hosting the 2010 World Cup by SA away and award it to Australia” because of crime and lack of preparedness etc? Of course LOC CEO, Danny Jordaan dismissed that as “nonsense”, but it makes one wonder who is behind such a rumour.

It is disappointing to the people of the SADC region in particular and us South African people that the elections in Zimbabwe were so "manipulated", and leaves us almost helpless. The main concern is the picture this gives the world at large. Independent analysis of the elections clearly suggests that the elections were not free and fair, though it appeared as if they were due to the sophisticated nature of the system used.

The SADC Guidelines were flouted in a diplomatic manner this time around, making it look genuine! And this makes it difficult to boldly say that the elections were not "free and fair", as MDC now carries the label of "bad losers" because they willingly participated in a somewhat "peaceful" and less eventful voting day, and they were leading in the vote count of seats at the beginning (mainly the the cities, Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo etc). They never complained as they were ahead with 31 seats against Zanu-PF's 8 initially - but when the final count produced a 2/3 majority for their opponents they cry foul with allegations of "vote-rigging on a massive scale". This is the risk everyone who now condemns the Zimbabwe elections takes!

Now the words used are that they were "skewed" and "tilted" away from MDC towards ZANU-PF. MDC must have known or suspected this was going to happen, yet chose to participate in the elections, the decision which was confirmed late! This proved to be a critical turning point! With hind-sight MDC now must be regretting ever allowing itself to participate in the elections.

The other flaw related to this late decision to participate is the fact that they could not have enough time to campaign, especially amongst the rural voters! Suddenly, two weeks or so prior to election day, there were no longer "no-go areas" or intimidation of the opposition, but open and free campaigning everywhere, no violence! But complaints of using food to buy votes in the rural areas by the ruling party persisted, as did complaints of lack of access to the voters' roll by the opposition, and a lack of media coverage with freedom of the press and association remaining severely restricted.

The position taken by the SA President and Observer missions are worrying factors - Mbeki's quiet diplomacy is well recorded, some observer mission leaders like Labour Minister Mdladlana proclaimed prematurely that there was "no reason for elections not to be free & fair!". Mbulelo Goniwe and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka denied any negative allegations about conditions, they are on record as having endorsed elections as "free and fair" from their observations! Predictable the DA has distanced itself from the proclamations" by the observer mission to Zimbabwe elections! As civil society how do we begin to help change the slide that Zimbabwe is taking?