Motlanthe was endorsed by the leader of the ANC, Jacob Zuma, who is predicted to be elected as the new President next year. Motlanthe previously spend time in jail during Apartheid along side Nelson Mandela. He is very highly appreciated by the ANC, and was voted in by 269 to 50. Some of his first jobs include appointing new members of the government to take over the jobs os some of Mbeki’s past advisors. In addition he has promised to keep the economy stable and help to create jobs for South Africans. Motlanthe is described as a “peacemaker” and the people of South Africa are very confident in the Parliament’s decision.

However there is some speculation whether or not Motlanthe can be an effective president for these next seven months, without outshining Jacob Zuma, who is considered to by most to be the one elected in the next formal Presidential Election. Motlanthe ha promised to do his best in the position, yet it will be difficult for him to not overshadow Zuma, once he has that position of power.

This issue is related to the members or actors in the situation without really taking the country as a whole into consideration. It seems that Mbeki was ousted sooner so as to put a member of Zuma’s party in the position to succeed. In addition it has created a more personal battle between the governing personalities of the Motlanthe and Zuma, and who is better to lead South Africa.