Former South African President and statesman Thabo Mbeki on Saturday asked for a revision in the process by which South Africa’s President is elected.
During the launch of the National Dialogue for the Eastern Cape higher education sector at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, Mbeki stated, “The method by which we elect the President is flawed. The critical question of whether a President is competent and a suitable individual is never posed.
“When Parliament declared that I should assume the presidency, they were unaware of my capabilities, and they never inquired.”
He indicated that this was one of the matters the National Dialogue needed to tackle.
Elaborating on the significance of the higher education sector’s involvement in the National Dialogue, Mbeki remarked, “When I was invited to reflect on South Africa at 30 years, I asserted that we require an intervention. The economy is in turmoil. Politics is in disarray. We are facing a crisis of crime and corruption. Even our relationships with the rest of the continent are strained. There is nothing that does not indicate a crisis.”
He noted that prior to the national elections last year, he scrutinized the manifestos of various political parties and concluded that politicians lacked viable solutions.
It was time for South Africans to offer the solutions, Mbeki emphasized. “And by solutions, I do not refer to [political] promises. Solutions can only emerge from the populace, not from political parties.” This, he asserted, formed the foundation of his proposal for a National Dialogue.
He stressed the importance of thought leaders from the higher education sector participating in the dialogue, as “the nation relies on their intellect.”
He acknowledged that the National Development Plan represented an excellent vision for the country, yet it was not an actionable plan. “And that is the fault of the intelligentsia,” he remarked.
“They ought to have intervened and articulated, ‘This is what the National Development Plan must evolve into.’ They should have stated: ‘We possess a commendable vision, but what is the actionable plan?’”
The National Development Plan was endorsed by the Cabinet in 2012 and outlined a strategy for South Africa’s development by 2030.
“The vision was never converted into actionable steps,” stated Mbeki.
“With the National Dialogue, this is what you now need to contribute,” he addressed the audience.
He emphasized that the higher education sector plays a crucial role in altering the narrative that “black people always fail” and in ensuring that young individuals are not disheartened or unmotivated.
He urged the sector to offer concrete, practical solutions to address the various crises confronting South Africa and mentioned that representatives from the nation’s universities should also counsel the 32 distinct constituencies involved in the National Dialogue, including women, civil society organizations, business leaders, labor representatives, traditional authorities, or religious groups.
Addressing the contentious topic of National Health Insurance (NHI), Mbeki questioned why there had not been an extensive dialogue with health professionals regarding the new initiative.
“No attempts have been made to engage with health professionals to clarify issues surrounding the NHI; their intellectual contributions have not been solicited,” he remarked.
“Ultimately, the National Dialogue will take place,” he asserted. “It is essential to address the entire array of crises facing the nation. In this regard, the country’s intellectual community will play a vital role. Our intelligentsia has a much wider responsibility.
“I believe this marks the onset of a new process. It is not merely about discussing higher education, but also about the question: What role does our intelligentsia play in providing solutions to the various crises in our nation? You bear a responsibility. You are the only group that can rightfully claim: ‘We are the thought leaders.’ The politicians do not serve as thought leaders. I am uncertain about what they lead, but they do not lead in thought.”
