Is it the Thabo Mbeki era - again? asks Samkelo Maseko
It's been quite the spectacle to watch - Thabo Mbeki's recent public appearances, listening to the things said about him, and how the narrative has seemingly changed.
That narrative, coming especially from those who could in the past have counted as being amongst his staunches critics. Consider the views of COSATU, the SACP and the former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, now leading the EFF, for instance. All have now acknowledged the brilliance of Mbeki, the man.
The former president was recently inaugurated as the new UNISA Vice chancellor. At that event, Higher education and Training Minister and SACP General Secretary, Blade Nzimande, lauded him as one of the greatest intellectuals produced by the ANC.
Former caretaker President Kgalema Motlanthe had some interesting comments to make about Mbeki while campaigining for the ANC during local government elections last year. He said - "I have never endorsed the Jacob Zuma campaign going into the 2007 Polokwane conference, you have never seen me openly campaigning for Zuma to be elected as President of the party nor addressing any caucuses. I let the branches of the party decide as I was still the Secretary General of the party at the stage. Mbeki was an exceptional leader who respected the rule of law and internal democratic processes of the party. Corruption and disrespect of the constitution of party wasn't as prevalent as now."
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At the time of Mbeki's inauguration at UNISA, twitter was also abuzz with those studying there, including Julius Malema - expressing joy at Mbeki's new position and the fact that he would now form part of their ceremonial gatherings at graduation ceremonies.
So what has changed you might ask? Could it be that the current crop of leaders have been so utterly disappointing (for lack of a better word) that some might actually have regrets about the unceremonious ousting of Mbeki?
Has the Zuma presidency - tainted with allegations of corruption, greed and poor governance - taken its toll on not only the alliance partners but society at large? Do we all feel this way as South Africans and long for the Thabo Mbeki era?
I would argue that we as South Africans consistently fall into the trap of glorifying leaders before they prove themselves. Zuma was punted as the people's president and being in touch with the needs of ordinary South Africans simply because Mbeki was not that at all. But have we forgotten the debacle over HIV and AIDS and what has happened on Mbeki and former Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang's watch?
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I would caution that we do not do that - that as we move forward as a country, these mistakes be remembered. Just as Zuma's appalling track record should be remembered. We should remember the way these leaders treat us, the way we hold them up as leaders who could change the fortunes of many. We should remember the disappointment. And we should change the fate of our country ourselves. These leaders do not elect themselves. Their parties do not win elections on their own. No matter how we are mistreated as the population, we still have the ultimate power.
Within the various political parties, there are tremendously talented youth. And here I agree with Kgalema Motlanthe's sentiment, that political leaders should not be recycled and that young people should be given the chance to lead. The current course that we are on can still be changed. And Zuma, Mbeki and Motlanthe have had their chances. Now, a new era must be ushered in.