Was it South Africa’s political opposition, rather than the plight of Zimbabweans, that pushed Pretoria to respond?
The time is long past that Pretoria's admonitions of bad behaviour by Zimbabwe's leaders are backed by a credible threat of sanction and punishment.
Although a commited veteran of the ANC, Mlangeni was no party apparatchik. He was outspoken against endemic corruption in government.
Mandela left at the right time in 1999, when the country still seemed in a healthy state, after which he consolidated his international reputation.
Predominant public sentiment remains largely anti-homosexual and overshadows constitutionally guaranteed rights in Africa.