Alec Russell, World News Editor for the Financial Times, presented his new book Bring Me My Machine Gun: The Battle for the Soul of South Africa, From Mandela to Zuma at the New America Foundation April 22, the day of South Africa’s general election. Russell read telling passages from his book including a section that starkly juxtaposes the personality of President Jacob Zuma, elected that day, with his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki. Russell traced the evolution of the liberation movement in to the dominant mainstream political party and how it has attempted to adjust to the rising next generation.

Jamie Zimmerman, Deputy Director of the Global Assets Project in Asset Building Program at the New America Foundation moderated the question and discussion session that followed. Topics ranged from how Zuma’s style of governance would diverge from Mbeki’s to the future of South Africa’s judicial system.

--Event summary by William Monroe, Intern, American Strategy Program, New America Foundation