Former emblematic president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki still arouses interest and debate, even after his mandate. Recently, he officially threw his support behind the ANC, saying it was his “duty” to contribute to the party’s campaign.
During an interview at the University of South Africa, Mbeki emphasized his membership in the ANC and his responsibility as a party member. He stressed the importance for ANC members to mobilize and engage the population in view of the upcoming elections.
This change of position comes after Mbeki had been rather critical of the ANC and its current president, Cyril Ramaphosa, for not having fully implemented the party’s renewal project. Furthermore, he denounced calls from the opposition, notably the Democratic Alliance, to invite foreign observers to the upcoming elections, stressing that the South African Electoral Commission is competent to supervise the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Mbeki strongly condemned the alleged action of former President Jacob Zuma, saying he had contributed to the destruction of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), stressing that this institution is crucial to the revenue of the state. He also mentioned the recommendations of the Nugent Commission report, which exposed the dysfunctions within SARS.
Faced with these political and institutional issues, Thabo Mbeki underlines the importance of probity and good governance for the proper functioning of the democratic state. His position highlights the continued engagement of former South African leaders in national political debates and preserving the integrity of public institutions.