When the US State Department's Walter Kansteiner visits the region this week he needs to press President Thabo Mbeki on what the South African leader means by democracy. Does it mean a representative government accountable to voters? Or is having millions of enrolled voters put crosses on ballot papers just the modern equivalent of a mediaeval coronation? Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, of course, is firmly in the mediaeval coronation camp. He began justifying plans for a one-party state right after winning power in 1980, says this commentary for ZWnews.com.