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President Jacob Zuma and ANCYL leader Julius Malema.
The ANC is not the future for South Africa, and President Jacob Zuma has neither the will nor the ability to change the situation the country finds itself in, says Moeletsi Mbeki, brother of former president Thabo Mbeki.
Mbeki pulled no punches on Tuesday as he spoke on the political and economic state of the country and his concerns over the direction it was taking.
“The ANC is not the future of the country. We should stop obsessing about the ANC. The ANC has ceased to be the future of South Africa if it continues (as it has been),” he told the Cape Town Press Club. “We have to ask ourselves now: who is the future of the country?”
He said there was a steep decline in the calibre of ANC leaders. The emergence of the “song-and-dance brigade, like Zuma and (ANC Youth League president) Julius Malema, who claim to be leaders”, indicated there was a lack of intellectual and visionary leaders but also leaders of sound morals and values.
He dismissed Malema as insignificant and spoke bluntly about Zuma’s reluctance to act on the recommendations of the public protector after investigations into the leases for two police headquarters.
“I don’t really think much of Julius. I don’t think he’s an important factor… Julius likes to compare himself with the (ANC leaders) of the ‘40s… there’s no comparison, absolutely no comparison,” said Mbeki.
“Up to now the ANC has been led by leaders from that time, they don’t have that – now we have the song-and-dance brigade like Zuma and Julius, who claim to be leaders.”
On Sunday, Afrikaner rights group AfriForum laid a charge of corruption against Malema after revelations of a secret trust, of which he is the sole trustee, which allegedly operated as a conduit for cash paid by business people in exchange for help from the ANC Youth League president in securing tenders and push political agendas.
Malema faces multiple probes into his financial dealings, and has to explain himself to the ANC.
Mbeki said that throughout his tenure Zuma had been criticised by commentators, opposition parties and from within the tripartite alliance as being soft on corruption and for his inability to take bold decisions.
“Zuma has neither the will nor the ability to change the situation… The report released by the public protector last week, Zuma hasn’t done anything yet.
“He says he’s studying it, but all of us know what’s in the report,” said Mbeki.
Politicians, he said, would not create competition for themselves and it was up to citizens to jolt them into action by using their vote to punish or reward them.
However, he said, citizens were “happily marching and dancing to the edge of the cliff with no one caring about where we are going”.
“Blatant corruption” was taking place at the ANC’s investment arm, Chancellor House, he said, with reference to the multibillion-rand deal with Hitachi Power Africa, which in 2007 jointly won a contract with its parent body to supply Eskom with boilers for its two new power stations, Kusile and Medupi.
He slammed the ANC’s model of racial preference, including black economic empowerment, as a tool which had been used to benefit an elite group.
“It (racial preference) was a disaster with the National Party and it’s a disaster now,” said Mbeki.
He said South Africans were living off mineral wealth, which was in decline and unsustainable.
Countries such as South Africa – middle-incomers – were the casualties of globalisation, while big players such as the US and poorer countries which had huge populations and markets were the biggest winners.
Old industrial practices and management systems like those of the mining industry, which still had same-sex hostels, were to the detriment of the economy.
“Cecil John Rhodes would be pleased,” he said. - Political Bureau
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Karin Turner, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
It is refreshing to hear such candor and real perspective;“happily marching and dancing to the edge of the cliff with no one caring about where we are going”. An accurate picture of popular politics, even as most people are dancing with decreasing food, provision and future prospects. Yet they dance, so long as Zuma fiddles and Julius weaves dreams of banquets for all. Whenever people stop dancing, the race card gets played, the blame game song restarts the music. But dreamweavers are neither statesmen nor visionary leaders,just cheap imitations. South Africa deserves better. Thanks bro'for your wake-up call.
Ali, wrote
I've said this a couple of times, moeletsi's comments are not surprising and they don't carry any new message! Only to say, it is like music to those who hate the ANC, Zuma and black govt as it vindicates their stance anyway, that blacks do not know how to rule! Even if Zuma can shout until he's dry about corruption, crime, poverty and inequality, health and education as his priorities, but those people will still not hear him, except that he's corrupt himself and has low morals...and those "anonymous" ones i have no respect for "faceless" pple who do not take any responsibility of having their names konwn - they talk of Std 7or 9 education..what will that help, anyway..that means they still aspire to it and are no better than JZ, who in fact has much higher intelligence, knowledge and skill that he picked up in Robben Island, self-taught in exile and came back to beat all the highly educated PHD holders who cannot become or do not even kow how to be ANC president...Zuma wins hands down, ask Moeletsi's brother if you want to know....what happened in Polokwane!
Anonymous, wrote
What a great comment from someone on the "sidelines" as it were... I just wish more of Mbeki's peers would look at the situation in the same honest way.
Falcon, wrote
We need a new electoral system. Presently a few elite decide, for their own self interest, who will be in charge of destroying the country. Last night on 702 Moeletsi praised Prof Jonathan Jansen for the way he is showing leadership. We need people like Moeletsi Mbeki, Prof Jansen and others such as Mampela Rampela, Rhoda Khadalie and Clem Sunter to stand together as a group and give us all an alternative for the future of SA.
@ Maston Phiri, wrote
Mr Phiri, I sit here and read your comments and from what you are saying I just realize that you are a new crop of politicians or to be and only started reading issues currently or you dont at all. Tell me if the issue that Mr Mbeki is raising is for the first time you hearing them and in particular from him? The chap has always been vocal from the begining, during implementation of BEE to BBBEE. The maladminstration that people have talked about during his brother government, the Arms deal, land distribution or redistribution (which ever suits you) he has writen all obout that. so i dont know what you are trying to say?
@ Ali and some others, wrote
The key to making the government perform to the best of their ability is by basing your vote on their past performance. That is the solution Mr Mbeki gives if you read more carefully. Unfortunately there are a lot of uneducated people in South Africa, and while it's understandable that the older generations were denied a decent education, the younger generations (18 - 30) should be able to keep themselves informed, assess what their leaders are doing (and not doing), and think for themselves when deciding who to vote for. If the ANC knows that they have your vote no matter what, then they know that there is no consequence for underperformance or corruption. The power that drives democracy is the fact that the people decide who manages the country. When a governing party doesn't do their job properly they get booted out in the next elections. But in this country the ANC has done nothing to educate the people, even after seventeen years, and so the masses don't understand the direction South Africa will go in if nothing changes. When people are unhappy with government they strike and trash the streets or choose not to vote at all. As long as this continues, ANC will have no urgency to uplift this country, and if change doesn't come soon then what will happen when media freedom is squashed and whites are kicked out in the cold? A huge portion of income tax will be lost, and the ANC elite will have open season to plunder the country’s coffers before everything finally comes tumbling down. We're all caught up arguing with each other over “who is the racist” and “who is responsible for the past”, but this only creates a smoke screen that blinds us from seeing who is responsible for right now and the future. Most white South Africans love this rainbow nation just as much as black South Africans do. That’s why they are here. In my eyes, the only solution to this country’s problems is for the people to make themselves aware of what really goes on in politics and government. Once you realize the truth you will think long and hard before casting your next vote. Make the ANC realize that votes must be earned, not gained through bribery, manipulation and empty promises. We need to maximise the power of democracy because let’s face it, we all want a bright future, and the only way that can be achieved is together with integrity.
tyron, wrote
Moeletsi Mbheki has little or no confidence in the black administration or Leadership. To a large extent he potrays himself as this unbiased, impartial and intelligent man, hence he is just simply an armchair critic for his own personal grievance towards the ANC. As an alleged genuine commentator not once have I had him say or acknowledge any right doing of the Government and this cannot be politically correct, because if so we would be having a highly disruptive and dysfunctional government system in the continent or the world at large coupled with anarchy , and such a failing system which cannot even maintain or sustain a meaningful and gainful economy and that cannot be said about South Africa. I honestly believe the Gentlemen finds joy and comfort in entertaining or putting a smile in the faces of a certain category or group of people belonging to a certain class or origin. His issues are only known by him but one could also attribute it to the recalling of his brother as a President and to the mere fact that despite his father being a political icon, he himself enjoys less recognition, acceptance and acknowledgement as a great contributor to the political and economical development of this country and for that he only have himself to blame.
Maston Phiri, wrote
Greetings Big D Correct to say that we are all entitled to our own opinion hence your take on my comments. Rather than insulting one, it would be wise to engage the issues at hand without showing emotions nor using insultive expressions as that defeats the very purpose of democratic principles: constructive engagement (or should I say Debate in the ordinary language that one would imagine some likeminded individuals would care to relate too).The comments you are so destructively responding to so much that you are even attacking the author rather than the contents of the issues raised therein, is based on fact and realities of the situation unlike your response which offers no alternative view or angle to the discussion. Therefore, it would be in the best interest of all constructive engagers in the panel to apply their minds properly prior to posting comments here which are of no value like the, similar to that of Mr. Mbeki's of this world as yourself. In the spirit of constructive engagement... S4S
Big D, wrote
Anonymous, you are entitled to your opinion, of course. However, the ignorance you show in expressing it would be amusing, if it was not so sad. I think you went to the same school as JuJu, but probably achieved (polite word) even worse results than he did. Shame !
Maston Phiri, wrote
Revolutionary greetings members of the diplomatic quo in this country…. In light of the below email, let us real political analysts provide some real political analysis on matters raised herein. This Mbeki character is still bitter about the Polokwane resolutions. It is high time that he made peace with the blunders of his brother’s government and move on if he is to add value to the country. Why was he so silent on criticisms of government during the time of his brother? He had nothing then to add of value nor does he now! In terms of the Public Protectors document, the Presidency issued a statement through the President’s spokesperson ironing out the process involved in the matter. Surely the fact that the document is receiving its rightful attention from the Presidency and is currently under consideration, should be enough indication that the matter is being attended too. We cannot therefore, as Mr Mbeki I suggesting, except the President to respond to such damning document which mind we, took months to compile after intensive investigations by the office of the Protector, to respond on it and take action over a mere week. There are other issues which also warrants the Presidency’s attention which have long being on the agenda with equal importance. As for the Julius Malema issue about corruptions, again those are issue of the Court to decide on. AfriForum (a political tool used by the anti-democratic forces of this country to discredit ANCYL leadership – President in particular for some cheap political gain), has laid the charges against him in the court. Our we now implying as Mr Mbeki is, that the President must now interfere with the judicial process of this country whereas the constitution is very clear on the procedure and in terms of separation of powers in this country? The office of the Public Proctors has thus issued a statement in this regard, and the presidency is correct to take the approach it has taken until such time that the Courts have ruled on the matter as a matter of democratic processes. We need to remind ourselves that Julius, just like any other citizen of this country, is subject to the Constitution and the Judiciary system and its processes. As such we need to respect that. The mere fact that the ANC within its internal processes has indicated an action to have Mr Malema to explain himself following these conspiracy allegations against him should be enough to show that we leave in a country governed by a democratic and transparent organisation. In closure, let us respect the democratic processes of this country to unfold and not pre-empt the findings…. Revolutionary closure and my the Revolutionary Ancestors of the Mass Democratic Movement be with you ALL! S4S
Anonymous, wrote
Revolutionary greetings members of the diplomatic quo in this country…. In light of the below email, let us real political analysts provide some real political analysis on matters raised herein. This Mbeki character is still bitter about the Polokwane resolutions. It is high time that he made peace with the blunders of his brother’s government and move on if he is to add value to the country. Why was he so silent on criticisms of government during the time of his brother? He had nothing then to add of value nor does he now! In terms of the Public Protectors document, the Presidency issued a statement through the President’s spokesperson ironing out the process involved in the matter. Surely the fact that the document is receiving its rightful attention from the Presidency and is currently under consideration, should be enough indication that the matter is being attended too. We cannot therefore, as Mr Mbeki I suggesting, except the President to respond to such damning document which mind we, took months to compile after intensive investigations by the office of the Protector, to respond on it and take action over a mere week. There are other issues which also warrants the Presidency’s attention which have long being on the agenda with equal importance. As for the Julius Malema issue about corruptions, again those are issue of the Court to decide on. AfriForum (a political tool used by the anti-democratic forces of this country to discredit ANCYL leadership – President in particular for some cheap political gain), has laid the charges against him in the court. Our we now implying as Mr Mbeki is, that the President must now interfere with the judicial process of this country whereas the constitution is very clear on the procedure and in terms of separation of powers in this country? The office of the Public Proctors has thus issued a statement in this regard, and the presidency is correct to take the approach it has taken until such time that the Courts have ruled on the matter as a matter of democratic processes. We need to remind ourselves that Julius, just like any other citizen of this country, is subject to the Constitution and the Judiciary system and its processes. As such we need to respect that. The mere fact that the ANC within its internal processes has indicated an action to have Mr Malema to explain himself following these conspiracy allegations against him should be enough to show that we leave in a country governed by a democratic and transparent organisation. In closure, let us respect the democratic processes of this country to unfold and not pre-empt the findings…. Revolutionary closure and my the Revolutionary Ancestors of the Mass Democratic Movement be with you ALL! S4S
NDUMNDUM, wrote
I THINK CECIL JOHN RHODES WOULD BE PLEASESD WITH MOLETSIE'S COMMENTS TOO, IM NO SAYING THAT I STAND BY THE SO CALLED "SONG-AND-DANCE BRIGADE" BUT HE WAS A BIT TO HARD GIVEN THE FACT THAT HE IS THE EX-PRESIDENT'S BROTHER
Qhawe, wrote
Cliffey Nagalingam, wrote
Solution: Education of our masses is important so that an informed decision at the polls by our literate voters reflect the result of a true educated nation and not a party that that provides a "plate of food" at election time only to win a vote at the polls. When we have the masses that are illiterate, poverty stricken and hungry, yes, a plate of food will definitely get a vote.
Ajants, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
The good thing about Juju accumulating so much money is perhaps he will retire from politics before he becomes President. Let's all contribute to his retirement (I mean trust) fund.
Anonymous, wrote
At least someone of significant influence has removed their rose tinted glasses and is seeing the ANC for what it has unfortunately become and is telling the people the truth. Many of whom are already seeing the truth and are punishing the ANC by the vote. However, they are just simply NOT voting. What we need is people, with vision like Mbeki to give all South Africans an alternate inspirational leader with integrity to vote for. Unfortunately I don't think this will happen and the current ANC "leadership" (not sure that's the right word) will continue to drag the people and the country down the toilet, stealing all the piping and running out of water along the way. Mr Mbeki take the next steps before we run out of time. You have my vote.
Jarrod, wrote
Mica, wrote
Zuma, Malema and cronies should thank South African citizens for something in this country working, DESPITE the government. One day, if they're not careful, there will be no more citizens getting things working in South Africa and they will have no tax money to blow on multi-million rand parties, cars and luxuries. They will stand with cardboard signs at the robots blaming apartheid for their sorry state. Your greed and selfishness makes me sick!!! 'Politician' is too high a compliment for your like.
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