Obama Inauguration South African Style and Politics

We watched the Obama inauguration live today on local TV. Nearly everyone I have talked to here, both South African and immigrants have been very happy Obama won the election and are hopeful and excited. This morning on TV there was quite the discussion about whether Obama should be called “black.” In South Africa it isn't as simple as white and black. There is white, coloured, black, and Indian. This classifications have historically been very important; during apartheid rights were based on which classification people were designated in. Race classification is still taken quite seriously here, and a lot of identity goes with what race people identify with. The people who lived in the Cape when the Europeans came were the Khoisan. Their descendants are considered coloured, and also people of mixed race are also considered coloured. Under this classification Obama is considered coloured, and some people here think that is what he should be called, though this isn't a term that would be embraced in the States.

During the inauguration, the talking heads on TV had some interesting comments. One, was that the 2 million people in DC were there, not only to be there for an amazing part of history, but also to make sure that Bush did indeed leave the office. In the US, I don't think many would suggest that Bush would try to not leave office but here in Africa that is not an uncommon occurrence (Zimbabwe for example). Another comment I don't hear from talking heads in the States was that President Clinton has a lot more white hair than when he started office. A comment people watching TV in the States would say, but not the presenters.

People in Africa seem very hopeful that Obama will improve relations and increase aid. One talking head said Obama looked serious and that the world's hopes rest on him. Wow, what a burden.

South Africa is scheduled to hold elections this year. Jacob Zuma, president of the ANC, the largest party, is favored to win. But he is up for corruption charges. The charges had been dropped last year and now in the last few weeks were reinstated. There was a good article in the tabloid about it, that explained it in an interesting way. I'll post it soon. No one really knows what will happen. There are rumors the ANC will try to change the constitution before the election so that a sitting president cannot go on trial. It looks unlikey the ANC will maintain their 2/3 majority after the election so they would be unable to change the constitution then. Last year when Thabo Mbeki, stepped down from the presidency after some hoopla, a bunch of people from the ANC left and formed a new party Cope which is gaining support. So it'll be an interesting year to see what happens.