South Africa’s tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu has sparked controversy with her attack on the country’s constitution and judges.
GCIS/Flickr
The politically ambitious Sisulu’s most recent campaigning grenade came in her cynical attack on the country’s constitution and judiciary.
Angolan President João Lourenço addressing a meeting of the governing party.
EFE-EPA/Ampe Rogerio
The Dos Santos family and their supporters claim they are the objects of political persecution.
Mokgweetsi Masisi being sworn in as the elected President of Botswana by Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane. With him is his wife Neo.
Mmegi
The Khamas have dominated Botswana’s politics since the 1870s, but they are now a discredited, spent force.
Campaign ads for Ali Bongo in his successful 2009 bid to succeed his father as president of Gabon. The Bongo family has lead Gabon uninterrupted for over 50 years.
Reuters/Daniel Magnowski
Gabon’s strongman president, Ali Bongo, is barely clinging to power after contested elections, a stroke and a coup attempt. The Bongo family has run this stable central African nation for 52 years.
Worldwide, 1 in 10 presidents and prime ministers has relatives who were already in politics. Europe and Latin America, both democratic regions, have the highest proportion of leaders who come from political families.
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To reach the highest rungs of power, a new study shows, it really helps if your dad was president.