Opinion| Thabo Mbeki re-enters political fray amid crucial election season
After a subdued period following his aborted bid for a third term and an early recall from his presidency under the administration driven by Jacob Zuma’s faction within the ANC, former President Thabo Mbeki retreated from the public eye and political engagement.
For several years, Mbeki remained distant from the ANC operations as he watched from the side line. This phase of political aloofness persisted until the political landscape shifted with the fall of Zuma and the rise of Cyril Ramaphosa to the presidency.
Under Ramaphosa’s leadership, Mbeki gradually re-emerged in the political arena, albeit with a critical voice against the party’s enduring issues with corruption. His criticism fuelled speculation in the media and political arena that he might abstain from active campaigning in the critical 2024 elections.
This election cycle gained additional tension with the surprising move by Zuma to establish the MK Party, directly challenging the ANC, especially in the crucial battleground of KwaZulu-Natal.
In response to the burgeoning threat posed by the MK Party and the precarious position of the ANC in key regions, Mbeki launched a vigorous campaign in Soweto. His re-entry onto the political stage was marked by a dynamic attempt to woo voters with a charm offensive aimed at restoring trust in the ANC, despite its apparent flaws and past inadequacies.
A day after former president Thabo Mbeki joined the ANC campaign trail in Soweto, Ramaphosa announced that other former presidents would also be joining the campaign efforts. This decision is seen as an attempt to unify the party’s leadership and consolidate support across different factions within the ANC, harnessing the legacy and respect commanded by its former leaders.
The strategic deployment of Mbeki in these efforts underscores the dire straits facing the ANC as it seeks to maintain its dominance. Previously, Zuma had been a pivotal figure in rallying support in KwaZulu-Natal, a region now teetering on the brink of political realignment due to the influence of the new MK Party.
The stakes are remarkably high, not only for the ANC but for the entire political landscape of South Africa. Observers and opposition groups liken the significance of the 2024 elections to that of 1994—a pivotal year that marked the end of apartheid and heralded a new era under ANC leadership.
Today, however, it is the ANC itself that faces the possibility of being unseated from power. Mbeki’s active participation in the current campaign signals a crucial shift not only in his personal political engagement but also in the strategic tactics of the ANC.
The inclusion of veterans like him suggests a blend of reverence for the past combined with urgent pragmatism, aiming to shore up support and credibility among disillusioned voters. The pressing need for stalwart figures like Mbeki to step forward reflects the gravity of the ANC’s plight as they contend with internal decay and external challenges.
Mbeki completed his day on the campaign trail at Melrose Arch for the book launch of ANC Today Letters Volume One, from the letters he wrote religiously to universal acclaim for seven years when he was president of the ANC.
With the advent of Zuma as president, the Letter from the President was discontinued as the new president was not a man of letters. Now, here are the Letters from the President resurrected for posterity.
This dramatic return to the political fray by Mbeki represents more than just a personal vindication; it is emblematic of the broader existential crisis facing the ANC. With the rise of new parties and the fragmentation of traditional voter bases, the ANC’s journey towards the 2024 elections is fraught with uncertainty and the palpable risk of historic defeat.
In this light, Mbeki’s role transcends the mere act of campaigning; it is about galvanizing a beleaguered party, mending its tarnished image, and confronting the complex legacy of its past leaders, including his own and that of Zuma.
As the elections day approaches, all eyes will be on Mbeki and his fellow veterans to see if their efforts can stem the tide of growing discontent and steer the ANC away from potential electoral calamity.
The unfolding political drama will test not only the resilience and adaptability of the ANC but also the strength of South Africa’s democratic institutions. In essence, the campaign trail for the forthcoming election is not just about the survival of a party but about the enduring health and vigor of the nation’s democratic process.
Thabo Mbeki, once side lined, has now taken centre stage in this critical battle, tasked with salvaging the legacy of the movement he once led and the future stability of his country.
