By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former president Thabo Mbeki has reflected on the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) which undertook to have a National Dialogue where all sectors of society will be able to raise their voice.
Mbeki has doubts on whether the African National Congress (ANC) will still be able to influence discussions.
“Does ANC have the capacity to influence that discussion? There are many topics on the agenda, economy, culture, health, education, this and that and everything. Will the ANC have the capacity to influence that discussion? I am not at all sure.”
Mbeki was addressing the ANC’s Dullah Omar region in the Western Cape during a two-day discussion, titled “Challenges facing the ANC and the National Democratic Revolution.”
He “diagnosed what has paralysed” South Africa’s government and “proposed an inclusive dialogue with civil society organisations, politicians, businesses, labour and other organisations to discuss a way forward.
“He attributed failure of democratic government to ‘sabotage’ in state-owned industries such as Eskom and Sars, and ANC members ‘who serve selfish self-interests’…. Mbeki said the counter-revolution has caused suffering to citizens.”
He cited the call of ANC’s 2024 elections manifesto for “ensuring that the ANC public representatives and deployees are held accountable for the basic services to communities.”
The ANC is facing mounting pressure, particularly from the MK Party, as former president Jacob Zuma’s political outfit continues to make significant steps in recruiting high profile political leaders around the country.
The ANC is also facing pressure internally, as the SACP has threatened to contest the 2026 elections after publicly condemning the ANC for working with the DA in the GNU.
The SACP has several ministers and deputy ministers in Cabinet, who could find themselves in a pickle should the ANC and the SACP not find common ground on the matter.
Mbeki also said the renewal process within the organisation is critical.
“A senior member came to me to say… we met with President Jacob Zuma. He gave us membership. This is the kind of member we have. This is why renewal is important… Lots of people are sitting on the sidelines. I know the issue of clever blacks was raised. We must take that into context. It’s either renewal or death. For me, it starts with us in the room We are the mirror in the reflection of the ANC.”
Unemployment, poverty and inequality are at ever-increasing levels, with the government not having done enough to get civil society and the private sector involved, to assist with eradicating these.
And is the calibre of the average ANC member good enough? Mbeki reckons not only does the party find itself in a crisis – but society as a whole.