I witnessed the historic election 30 years ago that propelled Nelson Mandela to power in South Africa. Now, with his party having its majority for the first time since that day, he would be dismayed at the state of his country.
It was a joyful day 30 years ago in a South Africa that had enjoyed very few. It was the first truly democratic election, and the black majority - for so long the victims of the wretched oppression imposed by apartheid - finally had their say. And how they spoke! I watched them queue in Soweto in the sunshine, dancing and singing as they waited. And it was a long wait. The system couldn't cope. South Africa wasn't used to everyone being able to vote.
Read more:What's left of ANC support is held together by deep loyalty and desperate hopeInside Mandela's childhood home - now another impoverished village And the corruption eats away at the fabric of society. Corruption at almost every level of government has seen businesspeople plunder state resources and political leaders fill their own pockets. And today we see Mandela's ANC paying the price. They are struggling to muster even 40% of the vote.
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