Is Jacob Zuma the best man to take over the South African presidency?

AP Photo / Themba Hadebe

Opinion

Lines of South African voters snaked around dusty fields, up misty hills and around gritty urban neighbourhoods early today (NZST), all for an election expected to propel Jacob Zuma to power despite sex and corruption scandals that would have buried a less wily populist.

The ruling African National Congress party views Zuma as the first leader who can energise voters since the legendary Nelson Mandela. But critics say Zuma is too beholden to unions and leftists and won't be able to fulfil promises of creating jobs and a stronger social safety net amid the global recession.

Is Jacob Zuma the best man to take over the South African presidency? Here is the latest selection of Your Views: