the corner office

Nobody, and I mean nobody should have had any illusions that the original elections in Zimbabwe weren't flawed and rigged. Despite this, the MDC still triumphed. In recent articles, the newspapers all now refer to the fact that Tsvangirai won, 'but didn't have enough for an outright victory'. Please. Of course he won outright. I'm sure even some of the dead people on the voters' rolls voted for him. But his non-outright-victory has become accepted fact, just like the fact that the MDC 'lost' the previous round of elections.

So I don't blame the MDC for pulling out of the run-off. It would have been a farce, and the world looks on and tut-tuts and grumbles while Zimbabweans are tortured and murdered. Perhaps by pulling out things might just come to a head.

I'm not sure if they will. It's heartening to see some other African countries speaking up. It just makes me more ashamed to be a South African, though. Our president's 'quiet diplomacy', in newspaper-speak, is a standoffish attempt to respect Zimbabwean sovereignty. In real-person speak, everyone knows it means tacit support of Zanu PF's tyranny. How could it not? As the situation in Zimbabwe deteriorates, South Africa's inaction just changes from tacit to very explicit support.

Ashamed. Our leaders should be speaking truth to power, condemning injustice whatever the source. Instead, the sad old fool in charge of our country makes a mockery of everything South Africa's constitution is supposed to stand for and protect. The world is watching, incredulous at our stance towards our neighbour, and I'm sure a great many people are left wondering what the ANC will be like when its own hold on power is challenged one day. Democracy, indeed.