When former president Thabo Mbeki visited the Free State, we thought it was an attempt to unite the African National Congress (ANC).
But it turned to be a continuous frustration in motion.
There is a concerning school of thought he wants to instil, that it's the ANC or nothing. He indicated that if the ANC ceases tomorrow, the country will collapse.
Does that statement suggest that citizens solemnly depend on ANC?
Does it mean all other political parties are not capable of leading the country? Does it mean we must all vote for ANC? He has entered an area of a prophet of doom who threatens those who are outside the ANC of perishing. I'm not certain if he researched that speech or was carried away by those who believed in his leadership.
I don't think he went there on behalf of the nation. He has missed the opportunity to bring together factions within his party.
What he should have done is invite those individuals to one table and help them iron out their differences. It looks like he knows the root cause. Mbeki, you cannot be neutral in the mess the ANC finds itself in. Be decisive and deal with the elephant instead.
- Letter by Andries Monyane, Vaal
