Zimbabwe, South Africa in transition

Two figures have dominated the politics of southern Africa in recent years. One is Zimbabwe’s 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe. The other is South Africa’s 75-year-old President Jacob Zuma.

Now Mugabe is in military custody after an apparent coup d’etat brought an end to his 37-year rule.

Meanwhile Zuma is set to be replaced as the leader of the ruling African National Congress next month, and may be forced to step down from his eight-year-old presidency before the end of his term in 2019.

The potential departure of both men from the political scene leaves southern Africa at a crossroads.

In particular, both Zimbabwe and South Africa face enormous challenges with political corruption that has mushroomed under both Mugabe and Zuma.

On this edition of Global Journalist, a look at southern Africa in transition.

Joining the program:

• John Campbell, senior fellow for Africa policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.
• S'thembile Cele, reporter for City Press newspaper in Johannesburg.
• Steven Friedman, professor of humanities at the University of Johannesburg.
• Gareth Newham, head of governance, crime and justice division at the Institute for Security Studies.

Assistant producers: Jiwon Choi, Lexi Churchill, Jiwon Choi

Supervising producer: Rachel Foster-Gimbel

Visual editor: Aleissa Bleyl