Can Zuma walk his talk?

By Haru Mutasa, Al Jazeera's South Africa correspondent

South Africa has been rocked by violent protests in recent weeks, with last week being perhaps the most violent since the inauguration of Jacob Zuma, South Africa's president, in May.

Police fired rubber bullets and teargas at protestors in the poor township areas who hurled stones at them.

Violent riots and threats of a fresh wave of crippling labour strikes may force Zuma to deliver quickly on election promises which include job creation and houses for millions of the poor.

But these socialist interventions by the government could scare away investors in Africa's biggest economy who want the current economic policy in South Africa to stay the way it is.

On the other end of the scale, the trade unions who helped put Zuma in power want left leaning economic policies.

Worrying reminder

While politicians try to find a middle ground, the battle over policies is being played out in the overcrowded townships where there is often no running water, electricity or adequate accommodation.

The people want their lives to improve and want the government to look after their needs before those of big business.

The recent township violence is reminiscent of the unrest witnessed during the apartheid years and the threats against foreigners are a worrying reminder of last year's xenophobic attacks.

In 2008, protests erupted across South Africa. They began as demonstrations over the government's failure to improve the plight of the poorest of the poor, but soon foreigners were being attacked in their shack settlements.

An estimated 70 people were murdered by the time the violence ended several weeks later.