The news that Jacob Zuma has won the nominations of five of the country's nine provinces ahead of President Thabo Mbeki continue to make people feel uncertain about the future.

The news that Jacob Zuma has won the nominations of five of the country's nine provinces ahead of President Thabo Mbeki continue to make people feel uncertain about the future.

When President Thabo Mbeki received the baton to lead from former president Nelson Mandela, there were no fears about Mbeki bringing in corrupt people to lead the country.

People such as Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi, ministers Mosioua Lekota, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Malusi Gigaba were picked. Some of them were later embroiled in scandals, but they survived.

Now, if people worry that untested people such as Zwelinzima Vavi, Blade Nzimande and Fikile Mbalula will ruin the country under Zuma, why not fear those whose hands are already tainted with dubious acts?

Let the unknown be feared, but not because we can't have the same people to lead us. I also do not think that the success of our economy lies on Mbeki, but on his team of economic advisers and the national advisory board.

Let the new leadership take over in 2009 and the two centres of power be avoided. That's all the country needs.

Mothusi Kwena, Mafikeng