THE SLEAZE FACTOR

AS CORRUPTION BEGINS TO STAIN THE GOVERNMENT AFTER ITS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, MANDELA PROMISES REFORM

In Cape Town last week, motorcycle outriders escorted President Nelson Mandela to Parliament, where a red carpet ribboned down the granite steps. Leaving his limousine, Mandela was greeted by a navy honor guard in spotless whites. Air force jets flew overhead, and a 21-gun salute rang out from nearby Signal Hill. Beginning his second year in office, Mandela had arrived to open a new session of Parliament, and the spectacle suited the occasion--to all who remember apartheid, the very existence of a Mandela administration in South Africa is still amazing.

In his speech Mandela did not dwell on how far the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!