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trade union federation, in an embarrassing episode for the ANC, was deported fromZimbabwe. 4195.6. Resource Mobilisation <strong>and</strong> Extraction under Mbeki (1999-2008)Structural contextIn terms <strong>of</strong> a neoclassical realist analysis, the starting point is a change in relativepower distribution; or at least a perception by decisionmakers <strong>of</strong> such change. Thestructural environment that greeted Thabo Mbeki’s ascent to power in 1999 wasriven with challenges. Domestically, the economy was attempting a recovery fromthe global financial crisis <strong>of</strong> 1998, inflation stood at around 8 percent, <strong>and</strong> thecountry had endured its first experience <strong>of</strong> the vagaries <strong>of</strong> the international capitalmarkets, as R42 billion in investment capital (inflows <strong>and</strong> outflows) changed h<strong>and</strong>sover 7 months in 1998. 420 Politically, Mbeki had just won a resounding m<strong>and</strong>ate asPresident <strong>of</strong> the ANC at the organisation’s National Conference <strong>of</strong> 1997.Meanwhile, US President Bill Clinton had, in April 1998, completed the first Africantour by a sitting US President for 20 years. The visit was aimed at promoting theAfrica Growth <strong>and</strong> Opportunity Bill, a trade facilitation policy for African states toenjoy preferential treatment in the US market; <strong>and</strong> democratisation on thecontinent. 421 Nigeria, one <strong>of</strong> Africa’s largest states <strong>and</strong> a competitor with SouthAfrica for continental leadership, was in the throes <strong>of</strong> post-Abacha reconstruction,<strong>and</strong> Ug<strong>and</strong>a, another potential rival, was engaged in talks aimed at resolving itsdomestic conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). South Africa’s immediateneighbourhood was simmering in the aftermath <strong>of</strong> the Lesotho crisis, which sawSouth Africa intervene in the neighbouring state under the auspices <strong>of</strong> the SouthernAfrican Development Community (SADC) to support the government <strong>of</strong> PakalithaMosilili in September 1998, resulting in the deaths <strong>of</strong> some 130.419 Karima Brown, “Cosatu, ANC yet to discuss Zim row debacle”, Independent <strong>Online</strong>.November 1, 2004. Accessed online at: http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/cosatu-ancyet-to-discuss-zim-row-debacle-1.225677on 5 September, 2011.420 Chris Stals, Speech at the 52 nd Congress <strong>of</strong> the South African Nurserymen’sAssociation, Johannesburg, 17 May, 1999. Accessed at:http://www.bis.org/review/r990519a.pdf on 9 May, 2011.421 BBC News. 1998. “Clinton starts African tour”, Monday March 23, 1998. Accessedonline at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/62091.stm177

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