If we're celebrating Mandela, why are we acting like Mugabe?

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Mad Bob must be feeling pretty warm and fuzzy about the conduct of some of our leaders right now. Madiba less so. The man who devoted his life to a liberation struggle, for all the right reasons, and then to nation-building, now has to listen to sabre rattling and war talk from members of the party he helped to build and its allies, against, quite frankly, anyone who disagrees with their views.

If the ANC is gearing up to honour Africa’s greatest leader with suggestions of a year long celebration then I’m all for it. If this is to pay tribute to the life of a man who achieved so much for our country and the planet, then let the party begin.

Before we start could I just ask that they extend the party for a couple of centuries? Instead of throwing it for a year and telling the world how proud we are of Madiba, all the while acting exactly the opposite of everything he stands for, why not rather begin the process of returning to the principles which he holds so dear? That would mean that future generations would also be able to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela in a democracy that is a role model for African and world leaders. It would hardly be a fitting tribute to this great man if we are building a country comprising everything he spent his life fighting against.

Nelson Mandela wanted a South Africa in which all of its people worked together for the benefit of everyone. Where economic measures to uplift the previously disadvantaged communities were to be adopted, all the while encouraging the entire nation to be part of a better future.

Where are we now?

On the brink of returning to intolerance and war talk, except this time with the lines so blurred that we’d have to call it “The Battle of the Confluence”, where nobody is quite sure who is threatening who or why. A good example is the case of those members of the ANC who, while supporting Jacob Zuma for president, believe it necessary to inflame anyone or anything they perceive to be in opposition to them.

There is nothing wrong with supporting JZ for president — loyalty is a wonderful thing. What is less wonderful is saying I’ll kill anyone who tries to derail it. What is wrong with just saying that JZ has an enormous loyal support base that will follow him through thick and thin, or even something more emotive?

Worse, when they are told to apologise we get the following: The media are twisting our words or they are making a big deal out of nothing. The simple answer to that is that if you want to be a leader then you have to lead. Or is “quiet leadership” the new model for “quiet diplomacy”? There is an easy out. If you don’t want public scrutiny get out of politics. In addition an apology is treated like something only sissies do — far better while at the bottom of the hole, to start digging further.

The simple truth is that good leaders admit when they are wrong, apologise and carry on. Tyrants criticize the media and are never wrong so why should they apologise? This refusal to admit that in a highly charged political climate that words inciting violence are highly inappropriate, lends credibility to those who claim that they are not only not prepared to listen to anyone but their judgement and assessment of the country lacks any insight or foresight.

How do they think people see South Africa right now? Externally foreign policies that are an aberration and show no regard for other countries, xenophobia internally which means our external disregard for others is matched by a hatred for our guests. Add on our kill speech and it seems we don’t even like each other very much – in the eyes of the world.

If you want to honour Nelson Mandela then behave in a manner befitting this great man.

That is worth all the tributes in the world.