The in-fighting raging in South Africa’s ruling African National Congress is reminiscent of how the Cold War was fought in Africa. Just as the Soviet Union and the west avoided open confrontation and instead fought proxy wars in satellite states across Africa, so President Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, his old friend-turned-rival – and now likely successor – steer clear of public arguments but, in reality, their hostility is played out in a range of different arenas, including the judiciary, the state broadcaster and the economy.

In an interview with the FT this year Mr Zuma, who ousted Mr Mbeki as leader of the ruling African National Congress last December, insisted that the long transition period between the ANC’s elections and next year’s national elections would be “smooth”. The two went so far as to issue a joint letter of solidarity this month.