If you have had the chance to read Eight Days In September: The Removal of Thabo Mbeki, by Rev. Frank Chikane. Then you have broader knowledge into the removal of our former president Mr. Thabo Mbeki. According to Rev. Chikane who was at the time Secretary of Cabinet, on the 19th of September 2008, just before 1:00 am, the first text message came through to him to recall Mr. Mbeki from president of the country. Not long after that another message had said the ANC officials had been appointed to visit Mbeki immediately that same night to inform him of the decision.
NOTE: Only eight months were left of Mbeki’s term
Yes Mbeki had his mistakes, especially during the time of his removal. Too much was being questioned on the latest leadership decisions he had taken, not to mention the case with Jacob Zuma and Shabbir Shakes. But was eight months really too much to put up with to let him finish his term and duties? Even though Mbeki handled this harsh act with much maturity and humbleness, many rejoiced.
Shortly Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe took up the role as acting president for the remainder of that term. The following term was successfully won by our current president Mr. Jacob Zuma, and it seemed like the masses were happy. Lately the tables have turned. It seems like Zuma will not be seeing himself successfully through the second term as president of the ANC. iOL news reported on the 27th of August that Zuma has been placed in a camp known as (ABZ) Anyone But Zuma by some of his collogues. The camp is mostly been pushed by those looking forward to seeing Motlanthe as Zuma’s possible challenger, as well as those in favour of Tokyo Sexwale.
If surely it should not be Zuma, then who?
After the ANC and government in general fought so hard to get rid of Mbeki, with immediate effect, and rejoiced for having Zuma as president. It’s sad that already before the first term has even ended they are ready to replace him. It is either society alongside with the ANC are voting in favour of fame instead of leadership qualities. Or it could simply be time for the ANC to sit down!
If you a Politician you must know that you will have enemies and friends that will one turn against you you can't rule forever.
ReplyDeleteReading this book has opened a lot of people's eyes. When certain Comrades were pushing their personal agenda's to have the former President "recalled" from office, in favour of our current President, most didn't care to think that the same could happen. As now some members withing the ruling party are against the his 2nd term in office. This to us as citizens of SA, it tells us that being in the Presidential's office now is more about favouritism than serving the people of the country.
ReplyDeleteWell I haven't read the book but I do know that Mr Mbeki's removal was a bad move, and from hindsight a poor political decision. I suggest that we are now seeing the same dynamics that were at play when Mbeki was removed:
ReplyDelete1. The thing is Thabo Mbeki represents the learned and intellectual crop of the ANC, a section which is obviously not understood or liked by some in the ruling party. As you have pointed out, some of his leadership decisions were not famous with some. But were they bad decisions? I don't think so, because if they were then why has not Zuma not corrected or succeeded with them.
2. Thabo Mbeki was seen as unfriendly to the members of the tripartite alliance i.e. Cosatu and the SACP. They did not have room for making and implementing decisions in governance.
So I think these and perhaps other factors fuelled an "Anything But Mbeki" sentiment. People got angry and frustrated with him. And who was the alternative? The humble darling politician from Nkandla. Those that supported Zuma did not site any merits to his leadership, only that - as far as I can remember - he is from a humble background, "he is a father" and understands poverty. Fair and well, but that is not the ultimate quality for good leadership. I believe also that some supported Zuma because they sympathised with him for the way he had been treated.
Fast forward to today, people are now again frustrated with Zuma, because clearly there has not been any merits in his leadership. So why am I saying recalling Mbeki was a bad political move? Justice Lepeane once said "The manner, forceful manner, in which Mbeki was removed might just set a precedent of how the ANC will deal with its leaders in the future. And that might also permeate to the way people in the country express themselves: anger and frustrations."