(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in South Africa think that the African National Council (ANC) was wrong to ask Thabo Mbeki to step down as president, according to a poll by Research Surveys. 62 per cent of respondents disagree with the ruling party’s recent decision, and 70 per cent think Mbeki did a good job as head of government.

In comparison, only 44 per cent of respondents say the ANC is doing a good job as the country’s ruling party, while 48 per cent disagree.

Mbeki replaced Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s president after the 1999 general election, where the ANC received 66.4 per cent of the vote. Mbeki led the ANC to a second majority government in April 2004, with 69.68 per cent of all cast ballots and 279 lawmakers in the 400-seat National Assembly.

In December 2007, Jacob Zuma defeated Mbeki in an internal leadership ballot and became the new leader of the ANC. In January, Zuma was named as the ANC’s presidential candidate. South African voters will renew their legislature and choose a new head of government next year.

On Sept. 12, a South African court moved to stop an investigation into corruption allegations against Zuma. At the same time, a judge suggested that Mbeki had meddled in the case in order to seek Zuma’s prosecution. The ANC then asked the president to step down.

On Sept. 21, Mbeki officially tendered his resignation "in favour of national unity," and said that he "respects the decisions" of the ANC. Kgalema Motlanthe was appointed acting president.

On Oct. 3, Motlanthe said he expects the ANC to remain united, adding, "I don’t believe any of the ministers who are steeped in ANC traditions of struggle will sign up for a breakaway party. I don’t think it could challenge the presently ruling ANC."

Polling Data

Do you think Thabo Mbeki did a good job as president of the country?

Do you think the ANC is doing a good job as ruling party of the country?

Some people feel the ANC was correct to recall Thabo Mbeki. Others do not. How about you?

Source: Research Surveys
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 250 South African adults in seven major metropolitan areas, conducted on Sept. 24, 2008. Margin of error is 7 per cent.

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