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Bring back Mbeki, Motlanthe and Zuma to assist Ramaphosa

30 July 2018, 10:33

 

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa

 

NEWS24

 

It has been a promising first five months for President Cyril Ramaphosa. 
 
Although much has come out of the past couple of months of Ramaphosa's reign like the new measure adopted to tackle corruption, such as changes in boards and/or management of major state-owned enterprises (SOEs); an inquiry into tax administration; actions to strengthen procurement; the signing of contracts with independent power producers; and in general, the intention to eliminate wasteful expenditure, concern is rife inside and out the ANC, that Ramaphosa lacks the support of the masses that Jacob Zuma enjoyed.

Other notable achievements of the five months old Ramaphosa Presidency include the billions of dollars of investments being pumped in to grow the economy. But obviously the real test will come when those billions worth of investments are able to create well paying jobs and empower the millions people that are still trapped in poverty.

The 50% to 60% alleged support for the ANC since Ramaphosa replaced Zuma in February, are clearly not the official vote nor can they be relied upon as the voice of the masses who vote at election time.

Many surveys are conducted prematurely and people can say anything. In addition, people's response are more or less depending on how the question or questions were asked.

Surveys also are not the surest way of knowing what the voter is likely to do at the ballot box. In other words,  the potential voter can change his or her mind at the voting station and vote for any other candidate.

For instance, most of the dozens of people one has interviewed over the past couple of weeks, still believe Zuma has a lot to offer the country. Some have even said they miss his leadership qualities.
In any event, Zuma is innocent until or when proven otherwise. The current charges of 783 questionable payments to Zuma allegedly received from Thint, in connection with the arms deal, have been thrown out of court before.

And the so-called "state capture" which suspiciously has also been called the "State of Capture", with the latter meaning something totally different to the former, in all likelihood will not stand in the courts of law.

And as Zuma has previously clarified, "state capture", would mean that the executive, the judiciary and the legislature have been captured. 

And we know that this is not what has happened here in South Africa. At least not under Zuma's reign.

But, what we do know is that, as reports have confirmed that Zuma still enjoys a lot of support in the Movement, from the Army through Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) combatants and to various structure of the Movement.

Not to forget the support Zuma still has with certain leaders in the ANC's top six, national executive committee (NEC), military veterans, various provinces, religious leaders and business associations, various senior ANC leaders throughout the country including in the current government, and other structures of the ANC and structures of the Alliance. 
 
In the broader scheme of things, the ‘exile’ unit which since the unbanning of the ANC in 1990 has gain ground in the political space in South Africa, would be pretty much concerned about their future with Ramaphosa, an 'inxile' at the helm. 
 
Even though exiles have their differences, they would be wondering about what the future will look like for them without an 'exile' leader at the helm. 
 
The main thing that needs to be understood about Ramaphosa, is that as popular as might be with the market, media and elites, he doesn't necessarily have a sure constituency in the Movement, particularly where it matters the most, the ANC branches.

If indeed Ramaphosa does not have the support he needs from the mass based structures of the ANC; he could be the weakest leader the ANC and South Africa has ever had.

In any case, the ANC will not gain much from excluding its former leader and even leaders who have served as the country's Presidents since 1994, (with the exception of the late Nelson Mandela). 

Leaving Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe out of the structures of the ANC, executive and governance of the country.

For example, Mbeki, with his proven credentials on the international arena could be become Foreign Relations Minister; while Motlanthe who's capable and credible, could be returned as Minister in the Presidency. And Zuma would become Prime Minister.

Although the Constitution doesn't allow a president to serve more than two terms; it does not say a former president can not occupy another executive position.

It makes no sense not to utilise the experience, skills, contacts and capacity of our former presidents to move the country forward. By bringing back the former presidents of democratic South Africa, Ramaphosa would grow in stature for performing another 'Mandela Magic' and for uniting a party that is troubled by factionalism.

By bringing back the former presidents of democratic South Africa, we would also have once again taught the world a lesson in political diplomacy and rationality.

The ANC would have a united and stable organisation. South Africa would have a strong, united and efficient governing organisation. Business and investor confidence would skyrocket. Millions of jobs would be created; and poverty and underdevelopment would be a thing of the past.

Mbeki and Zuma as former ANC presidents already qualify to be on the NEC as additional members list. Surely the ANC NEC can accommodate Motlanthe as former president and deputy president of the republic, and former secretary-general and deputy president of the ANC.

Ramaphosa should now imagine how this move could strengthen his public image and that of the ANC; and the country for that matter.

But most importantly, this will better position Ramaphosa within the ANC structures, who by the way, are still bleeding from the Zuma/Mbeki saga.

The return of Zuma, Mbeki and Motlanthe into the national political fold will strengthen the ANC and South Africa too. South Africa needs a strong governing party.

After all, that is what the founding fathers of the ANC would have had in mind.

And that is what Madiba would have wanted. 

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