Motlanthe New South African President

NVDL: It may be a good thing that after the dress rehearsal in Zim, South Africa have figured out how easily power can be shifted. Having disposed of Mbeki, it's possible future leaders will feel more on their toes - especially if they underperform - based on the precendent that has been set.

In any event, Motlanthe is respected as a solid, stable and moral ANC heavyweight. People are saying that even once Zuma is elected, the person actually running the show in South Africa will be this man, Motlanthe.

clipped from news.yahoo.com CAPE TOWN, South Africa - An anti-apartheid activist was elected South Africa's president on Thursday, assuming what many believe will be a brief caretaker role after Thabo Mbeki was ousted in a power struggle within the ruling party. "I am deeply humbled and honored by the faith and confidence that the members of this assembly have in me," he said. Motlanthe stood, rocking slightly, as he recited the oath of office, pledging to "do justice to all." On Saturday, the ANC ordered Mbeki to quit. Urged on by Zuma's leftist allies, it acted after a judge threw out a corruption case against Zuma on technical grounds and said Zuma may have been a victim of Mbeki's political machinations. The ANC struggled to reassure South Africa and the world there was no reason to fear instability in Africa's economic and diplomatic powerhouse. But he added: "I hope that the new leaders are not just fighting for positions, that they are fighting in order to make our lives better."