The ANC gained control of the political playing field-on the surface-,without having much control on the economy.
Which is understandable,given that there would have been no elections if they would have demanded control of resources and some type of reparations.
So while S.Africans run their country in theory,it's being pushed by forces beyond their control-overwhelming poverty -.
If Thabo Mbeki were to make a list of urgent issues and push them through forcibly,please beleive he would be stopped,even from inside his party.
This isn't to say a democracy is not feasible,but we have priorities.