THE most famous chapter in diplomat and political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli’s 16th-century political treatise The Prince considers whether it is better to be loved than feared – if you cannot be both.
The conclusion appears to be that, as fear is more predictable, it doesn’t hold the same fickleness as love. With fear, you can remain the same, never mind the circumstances raging around you. Oft- repeated, Machiavelli writes:
“The answer is that one would like to be both the one and the other; but because it is difficult to combine them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.”
As we listened to ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe at Luthuli House on Tuesday afternoon, there was a discomfiting reminder of this classic work, as it seems President Jacob Zuma might indeed fit the Machiavellian accusation which some of his enemies have levelled at him. Indeed, our long-serving liberation movement seems to be well within his clutches.
When Mantashe effectively told the nation to get over the president’s scandals, as “we accept (his) apology”, and showed his own lack of theoretical capacity in saying that the ANC’s “good work” should be rated by the rating agencies, a chill might have run down the collective spine.
Certainly, we take into account that Mantashe warned ANC structures not to fall into contempt of court by assisting Zuma to pay what he owes on Nkandla, but for much of the rest, it is clear that his party boss has the current national executive committee under his control.
We’d almost prefer to believe this is because the party is under considerable pressure around the upcoming municipal elections, and that it must present a picture of unity in order to maintain its dominance. In the interests of political power, it must seem to be rallying behind a man who many find repugnant.
But it could also be true that there are still far too many secrets lurking within the Zuma circle which need to be preserved, even at the nation’s expense.