Tom mourns ‘mental, moral strength’
Current leaders called upon to emulate Mandela and Tambo
LEADERS of today need the “moral and physical” strength required to lead an organisation, just as Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo did in their day.
This is according to former vicechancellor of the University of Fort Hare Dr Mvuyo Tom, speaking at the Nelson Mandela Museum as part of its Mandela month activities.
“What distinguishes most of the leaders that we had in the previous generation and what I would like to see in the leaders of today is the moral and physical strength that is required to lead any organisation,” said Tom.
“You need those three – the moral, the mental and the physical strength – but you must also have the insight of what is happening around you and you must have foresight, oversight and stewardship of what you are doing.”
Tom was one of the panelists at the Nelson Mandela Museum’s dialogue under the theme “Critical reflections on the legacies of Nelson Mandela and O R Tambo”.
Other panelists were the University of Fort Hare’s new vicechancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, and Walter Sisulu University’s former vice-chancellor, who now chairs the National Heritage Council, Professor Marcus Balintulo, as well ANC provincial spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyane.
They described the two global icons as “rare breeds” who did not see themselves as leaders but as servants of the people.
“They were leaders that put the people of South Africa first. The ANC was to them a vehicle to liberate the people … These two therefore, for many of us remained enigmas and heroes that were feared and loathed by the apartheid government,” said Tom.
The academic said Tambo always saw himself as a follower.
“Anyone who worked with him will always remember working with a man who never considered [anyone] to be beneath him.”
He said Mandela and Tambo never regarded themselves as bigger than the ANC or the people of South Africa.
“That was the meaning of the leadership of Mandela and Tambo. These were not just inspiring leaders but inspired leaders. They embraced ubuntu.”
Tom said the two leaders practised accountability, trust, consultation and collective leadership.
Qoboshiyane said Mandela and Tambo played an important role in achieving a negotiated settlement with the apartheid government.
He said their persuasive negotiating skills ensured a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy.
“The two leaders were distinct, strong Africanists but rooted in internationalism – non-racial struggle, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.
“They were visionaries soaked with the cardinal pillars of commitment, reliable, dependable allies, solid politicians, principled, educationists and legal eagles,” he said.
Qoboshiyane said Mandela and Tambo were leaders who embodied a high level of respect for themselves and had high morals. —