THE VIEW OF AN OLD FRIEND
The ruling party is in dire need of leaders with the precious gift of Mandela’s vision
OVER the last few months, I have been thinking quite a bit about Nelson Mandela – “Madala” as he and I called each other. My mind wanders along the hills of Qunu, asking them to narrate to me stories of one whom they have housed in life and death. Stories, as you would know, are rich in life lessons, and solutions to complex problems are often found in simple tales.
Mandela was a team person. But, as an individual, he, by word and deed, also contributed towards shaping the trajectory of life for all South Africans. The story of the masses of our people is his story, and his story is theirs. On the other hand, I have come across instances where people differ about his legacy, especially around the issue of negotiations and reconciliation. But on the whole, I marvel at how Madiba’s contribution is spoken of with praise, even by political parties that are not his.
It is only natural that we ask ourselves in what way his example can be applied to a contemporary setting.
South Africa finds itself on a precipice. It can either fall into a political quagmire or back away from the cliff, look at leadership examples of its predecessors and find safer ways to “cross the gorge”.
It is not possible to determine what Mandela’s exact views would have been on the current political situation, but we can review the decisions he took. Based on this, we would be able to ascertain what stance we should be taking.
It is a relatively more recent position that Mandela took as an ordinary citizen that first comes to mind, thanks to an article by The Guardian, which recalled how Madiba became one of the world’s “most effective campaigners” in tackling HIV/Aids. This was despite the fact that it “pitched him into opposition with his own government”, who at the time took a denialist approach to dealing with the problem.
Mandela’s speech in 2000 at the International Aids Conference in Durban was credited as a “watershed moment” that turned the tide against our government’s opposition to antiretroviral treatment.
It takes a special type of leader to admit to his faults, and admitting to not doing enough to combat the epidemic during his time as president is exactly what Mandela did. But it takes a remarkable individual to break ranks, stare down dominant views, and face being unpopular among one’s own. It is safe to say that his views were anything but popular among some within the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) at the time. Years later, though, with a more progressive approach to dealing with HIV/Aids, I think we have Mandela, and the many other civil society activists to thank for the strides that we’ve made in tackling the epidemic.
This was not the first time that Madiba provided decisive leadership, veering away from commonly held views. One can clearly recall that, much to the chagrin of the West, Mandela, once in power, continued to maintain links with leaders such as Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro and Palestinian freedom fighter Yasser Arafat, who supported the anti-apartheid struggle. In keeping with this approach, when Castro and Arafat visited Cape Town, Madiba asked me to accompany these two leaders to Robben Island as their “tour guide”.
Similarly, Madala was unafraid to tell close comrades when he thought differently. Here, I can speak from personal experience. Mandela had taken the bold step of engaging the apartheid state while still in prison to initiate talks with the ANC. He states in his biography: “I knew that my colleagues upstairs would condemn my proposal. There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock…” At the time, I must confess I was against Madiba engaging the enemy, but later I would come to realise the wisdom behind it. Mandela was always ahead of his time.
He may have been a popular leader, but his agenda was never driven by populism. He scrupulously ensured that all his utterances and actions as president of the ANC and as the first president of the new non-racial, non-sexist, democratic South Africa were consistent with the constitution and policies and activities of the party and government. During his tenure as president, Mandela set numerous landmark precedents, respecting and complying with the rule of law.
One example that comes to mind is the court case Mandela v Louis Luyt. As constitutional expert Pierre de Vos writes: “Despite being the president of the country and despite being Mandela, he agreed to testify and to be subjected to cross-examination” without any “fanfare”.
I look at these examples and I recall my words at his funeral: “…we pledge to join the people of South Africa and the world to perpetuate the ideals and values for which you have devoted your life.” Reiterating my views on current politics would symbolise my commitment to this pledge.
I am heartened that South Africans have heeded the call to support initiatives such as the Save South Africa campaign, and that veterans of the ANC, and more recently, some of its Umkhonto we Sizwe cadres, as well as members from within the NEC, have begun to take positions that may not be wholly popular.
Like Mandela, I believe that their breaking of ranks in the interest of the betterment of this country is a step that, in years to come, will be appreciated, just as today we thank Mandela for his resolute stance on HIV/Aids.
Similarly, we are heartened that from within the ranks of our movement, there are leaders like Madiba. They are leaders who, like Mandela, are ahead of their time. Such leaders are able to rejuvenate and modernise the ANC so that it can meet the needs of the 21st century while still valuing its old and wise traditions.
Just a few days ago, I attended the launch of Save South Africa’s Motion of No Confidence in President Jacob Zuma. Drumbeats could be heard around Constitution Hill. I’m told that similar beats resonated at St Alban’s Church, where Save South Africa was launched. As we remember Mandela in death, it is precisely these rumblings that must roll on.
It is these drumbeats that I think Madiba would have wanted to hear. It is also these beats that future generations will value as they listen to the hills tell them fireside stories of forefathers who were courageous enough to drum up support for the South Africa they dreamed of.