But many credible black leaders still remain jailed, exiled or restricted.

By the time he left office, in 2005, the reformists had neither a credible leader nor a constituency.

The old maxim still holds: The President is the West's only really credible leader.

Should their talks bear fruit, each would be seen as a peacemaker, an effective negotiator and a credible leader.

The Government has had difficulty finding credible black leaders willing to come to the negotiating table.

The government is paranoid about anyone who looks like they could be a credible leader.

"He hasn't given anybody inside or outside the Government the opportunity to develop into a credible leader."

But he eventually won respect, even praise, as a skilled fund-raiser and a tough, credible leader.

So far, no credible black leaders have taken up Mr. Botha's offer.

Timid and clearly uncomfortable with crowds, James failed to establish himself as a credible leader.