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Book Review
Book: Thabo Mbeki and the battle for the soul of the
ANC
Author: William Gumede
Publisher: Zed Books
Cost: Shs 39.900
Volume: 426 pages
Reviewer: Martyn Drakard
Available at Aristoc
Perhaps the most interesting part of William Gumede’s
book “Thabo Mbeki and the battle for the soul of the
A.N.C.” is Mbeki himself, and the characters of his
possible successors.
Much of the content of this longish but interesting account
of the history, nature, challenges prospects and infighting
of the ANC can be found elsewhere, and is well-known to
South Africa “followers” Gumede’s sharp
observations and assessments of the country’s leading
political lights can best be found here.
The author is a widely-acclaimed journalist and a scholar
of public and development management.
South Africa made interesting if depressing reading before
1994. Since then the excitement has not waned, with larger-than-life
personalities like Mandela, Tutu, Mbeki, Zuma Hani, Rampahosa,
like them or not.
Overall Mbeki doesn’t quite pass Gumede’s test;
probably four out of ten. Under his microscope the South
African president is stiff, sombre, aloof, too intellectual,
shy, a workaholic who doesn’t delegate. Separated
from his legendary father early on his youth was ‘stolen”,
according to Mandela. Formal, with heightened dress sense,
he prizes competence more than charisma, and lacks the common
touch.
He prefers one-on-one, and governs through small groups
of similar mind. Good at making deals, he has chosen to
work with the business community rather than the unions,
the ANC cadres and the civic groups.
Gumede is unforgiving on the way Mbeki “mishandled”
the AIDS epidemic. He criticises his quiet diplomacy approach
towards Mugabe, and his high idealism regarding NEPAD.
Giving figures, the author shows that little has changed
from the apartheid era for the lowest level of society,
except that now they can vote. Yet, material achievements
have been attained, and human rights even over-stated, in
the “Rainbow” constitution. Mbeki took over
a divided country, where wealth was unevenly distributed.
Mbeki and his team have their ways of solving this; the
author disagrees with those ways.
Mbeki’s formula is “African solutions for African
problems”. He also aims to prove wrong the Afro-pessimism
of Blacks and Whites alike.
Inevitably – and unfairly – Gumede compares
Mbeki with Mandela, Chris Hani, Gavan Mbeki and Jacob Zuma,
and on most counts he comes off badly. He ought rather have
been assessed for his achievements, and his character strengths
emphasised.
Everyone knows that a huge gap exists between the highest
and lowest material levels in South Africa that blots such
as the filthy township conditions of Alexandria, and the
rural slums should have been almost eliminated by now. But
Mbeki’s rule has not always been smooth – he
has rivals and “saboteurs”.
Under the circumstances he has done well. He is almost unique
in his vision of an African Renaissance, where he plays
centre stage, and his legacy is likely to last long after
he goes. Gudeme could have made more of that.
Nevertheless, this remarkably well-researched book is an
impressive achievement, and a ‘must-read” for
anyone wanting to know what’s happening “down
South”.
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