Mbeki: ‘Noxious phenomenon of the personality cult’

‘The time has come,’ the Walrus said,
‘To talk of many things:
Of shoes — and ships — and sealing wax —
Of cabbages — and kings —
And why the sea is boiling hot —
And whether pigs have wings.’

(The Walrus And The Carpenter by Lewis Carroll)

When the dust finally settles over this chapter of the history of the African National Congress the words of former president Thabo Mbeki, as set out in the heading above, may well come back to haunt the party. The quotation, which forms part of the letter addressed by Mbeki to ANC president Jacob Zuma, highlights for me the problem area, which requires urgent address.

http://www.mg.co.za/uploads/mbekiletter.pdf

(Letter in full)

How the great divide between those ostensibly loyal to Zuma and Mbeki was formed is no longer relevant. The fact is that we are supposedly witnessing a split within the organisation along the same fault line as was the case at Polokwane.

Zuma versus Mbeki

But is that the case?

In the case of Mbeki we had a president who oversaw a period of sustained stability and growth for much of his two terms. While he was aloof and hard headed and responsible for dropping a number of clangers (even if the collective formulated them), he held his office with dignity and resigned without hesitation when called upon to do so. Hardly an African despot and certainly a role model for many of them to follow.

He allowed a media that was highly critical and indulged many who would have been slaughtered by most African leaders for the insults and threats they aimed at him.

As the president of the country and a man who is loyal to a fault can we honestly speak about an Mbeki faction? Is it not a case of the usual loyalty we find towards a president and a party member going back decades?

In the case of Jacob Zuma it is otherwise. Here we are dealing with people who are threatening those within the party, the State and the rest of the country that if their man does not become president, heaven help us. In other words the man is more important than the party.

Kgalema Motlanthe is the current president of South Africa. Jacob Zuma is the current president of the ANC. Both are capable of implementing the policies of the ANC save that Motlanthe is not carrying any baggage. In ordinary circumstances there would not even be a discussion about who should lead the party into the election.

Why is that not the case now?

Both the arms deal and JZ’s matter have to be dealt with and the NEC is acutely aware of that. Why are the interests of the party being subjugated to those of individual characters?

Many analysts are suggesting that Motlanthe be downplayed in order to allay the fears of the Zuma supporters that he is trying to take over. But surely those supporters are ANC first, JZ second and retarding the parties drive for re-election because of their paranoia is inter alia what is causing people to leave the party? They want the principles of the ANC and its members respected rather than subservience to individuals.

While the party must support its president, he remains the president of the party. His departure means another president rather than the party disintegrates.

As Mbeki states not even Nelson Mandela was meant to be seen as an icon; circumstances drove the policy on Madiba.

The ANC owes Jacob Zuma its loyalty and full support as its president in dealing with the issues which he is confronting. That must, however, be done in the same way as it would any other leader of the party.

The ANC owes it to its supporters and to the millions of people who suffered and struggled during its existence and indeed those who will become part of its future to always put policy and the interests of the party before those of any individual.

In fact, as well as in words.