This agreement has many wondering if old Bob has really finally relented and accepted that he cannot rule the country with his iron fist for the rest of his life. Or could there be yet another dagger up his sleeve?

Whatever his motive, it has resulted in an interesting chain of events in neighbouring South Africa, with a curious partnership emerging between ousted former president Thabo Mbeki and current interim president Kgalema Motlanthe singing the same tune.