Sir,

Sleaze, bribrary, corruption. That is Africa. Hardly worth bothering about.

Richard Sixsmith, Belgrade, Serbia

To those who support Mr. Zuma: Do you think that the pending legal charges are inaccurate, or that his guild and innocence don't matter?

Steve, NYC, USA

Mbeki was and is a good president. Economical South Africa is stable. Our democracy is stable. We have internationally a good standing. Now we need a president who will give more attention to problems which face every citizen in South Africa, such as the crime rate, medical and social problems . But is Zuma that person. As a person I like him, but taking into account his own problems...? The next election is in 2009. There is still time to come to a conclusion. Perhaps you all should pray for South Africa.

Thys du Toit, Cape Town, South Africa

If a person without a formal education were to become President of the USA, it would probably be hailed as the realisation of the American Dream.

If a Black African without a formal education stands in line to become the next President of South Africa the world rings their hands in despair. Despite this black African having dedicated the greater portion of his life to the dismantling of a system that has been recognised internationally as a crime against humanity.

Do I detect a tinge of racism at play?

Is the underlying message that the world will tolerate a black African, subject to him or her having the very best of British education. An education that would have squashed any liberal, socialist, or caring tendencies that could possibly upset unbridled capitalism.

You tell me?

Carl Wille, Johannesburg, South Africa

Carl Wille is not the first or the last to say the people have spoken.
Everyone should be clear that that means 4000+ (I may exaggerate there) ANC delegates at the Polokwane conference.

Paul Whelan, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal

I spent some time this year in South Africa and got a feel of the country...My reaction to Jacob Zuma winning the leadership of the ANC is uncertainly; for what could happen to a beautiful, rich, and what should be an uncomplicated country...I hope with my heart for the love of South Africa, that Mr Zuma never becomes President.

pat, FL, USA/ExPat,

We are witnessing democracy at work in South Africa. The people have spoken. Power has changed hands. Leaders have been held accountable. This is cause for celebration in our young and vibrant democracy. Let us respect the peoples choice and trust that the ANC will act should Mr Zuma be found guilty of any of the allegations against him.

It would appear as if President Mbeki simply lost touch with reality in South Africa as he pursued his noble visions of an African Renaissance, creating a home for the African Diasphora, increasing the power of developing nations in international trade relations and increasing our role in international affairs.

I emphathise with the majority of South Africans who feel let down by poor service delivery, corruption and a wealth distribution strategy that grossly enriched a select group of well connected, mostly educated and priviledged, black people.

Carl Wille, Johannesburg, South Africa

Not a statistical poll, but staunch rank-and-file ANC supporters that I know are adamant that they are not going to vote for Zuma in the 2009 election.

As for the corruption charges, the SFO are investigating BAe over the SA arms deal. It'll be a bad day for SA if they find BAe bribed Zuma. That'll be a watershed for SA democracy; either ditch a corrupt leader or shatter Mandela's dream and follow the normal downward spiral of Africa.

RogerP, Pretoria,

Leading a country successfully hasn't nothing to do with eductation. Proof: Look at Mr Robert Mugabe's record in Zimbabwe. He is one of the highly educated statesman in Africa yet he's ruined people's lives. Please let's give Mr Zuma a chance and he will prove many intellectuals wrong. It's also interesting that the National Prosecution Authority boss reviewed 2 prominent cases - Jacob Zuma and police chief Jackie Selebi's cases. The findings on Zuma case were made public through media interviews and yet Selebe's were given to the Justice Minister to decide whether to charge him or not. This is a clear indication that SA government is [ab]using state organs to attack enemies and shield allies. The fact that Mbeki couldn't oppose Mugabe in his life presidency bid is a clear indication he also wanted to cling to power for life.Typical of African political leaders. SA will never be like Zimbabwe it can do away state power abusers.

Samuel Masiya, Johannesburg, South Africa

The fact is that Mr Zuma now has the control of the policies that are going to be enforced by the ANC on the South African Government, means that South Africa will have a very turbulent time ahead.

Mr Zuma is at worst corrupt or in the very least an incompetent womaniser. These are not allegations, they are facts known to the South Africans who supported him in his race to be president of the ANC.

In the past South Africa has had many useless and incompetent leaders that governed the country.... Obviously Mr Zuma is another.

South Africans have survived the last idiot and we will survive this idiot too. We will fight to keep South Africa as a great nation.

Andrew , Pretoria, South Africa

Charging an African political leader with corruption?

Sounds a bit like the proverbial handing out of speeding tickets at the Indianapolis 500 races.

dd, London,

South Africa is viewed as a country of much hope by many westerners, so we should look at the sum of its parts and not merely the leader.
There are many in South Africa who are hopeful and courageous, who hold the government to account. The legacies of Mandela and Mbeki should not simply be forgotten.
The prosecuters should be congratulated for their valiant work done so far, lets hope it goes to court.

Rebecca, London, UK

The party should protect its own leaders. No one is above the law as much as they are not perfect. These utterances are the last kicks of a dying bull. For seven years Zuma has been threatened with charges. Why do they not charge him once and for all and let him face a judge as soon as possible? We all know that everyone has dirt and if you dig deep and hard enough you are bound to find something. In Zuma's case why is the dirt not sticking? They should charge him and stop threatening!!

Mafa , Cape Town, South Africa

In 2011 after the World Cup bubble has burst and people's attention redirected to real economic, political and social issues under the new Presidency of Zuma (if at all), it shall come to pass that the real enormity of the misfortunes of this country in having this man in power will dawn on the masses, the businesses and the international community.

Ndini, Jo'burg, South Africa

How ironic for Mbeki .Recently in 2005 it was the split of the M.D.C in Zimbabwe. little did he know that what goes around comes around.

Donald, Nottingham, U.K>

He will be the death of South Africa if he gets in. But who's the alternative?

Lisa, London and Joburg,

Jacob Zuma seized no power, he was elected by the ANC members to be their next leader, as do all political parties...

Mark , Cape Town, South Africa

"Uneducated"... doesn't seem like much of a qualification to run a major country.

GreenMountainMan, San Diego, USA

How long will it take South Africa under the leadership of Jacob Zuma to overtake Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe?

Bill, Alabama, USA