Mbeki: Alone in his hour of need

Please, spare us the melo-dramatic headline! Mr. Mbeki was the architect of his own downfall. The only regret we need have is about the WAY in which he was removed from office. It should have been done in accordance with the Constitution either by a Parliamentary vote of non-confidence or by Impeachment not by a coup that called itself a 'recall'.

"At the risk of blowing against the wind, Mbeki was the first African leader to endorse the administration of President Umaru Yar'Adua."

Okay that we understand (he always endorses dictators & manipulators of countries' genuine voters), he did that several times in Zimbabwe and Kibaki’s election results massaging was also welcomed.

Then tell us, where he stood firm and opposed the unfairness, illegitimacy and rigging of votes?

Tell us one country where Mbeki denounced nonsensical deeds of a dictator…

I'm just an average Josephine, but I've found it really interesting to note how South African politics has been focused in the recent past on, not so much the disadvantaged and how to alleviate their ongoing Struggle as it has on the our privileged politicians like mr Mbeki, who still have their money and their homes no matter what happens. I feel like the girl in that shampoo ad "What about Brazilian?"...""the poor?...what about the poor..?" But who's listening?

This is an intersting comment about President Mbeki. It is also interesting that the author wants to hear the views of other leaders in the continent. Truth be told, diplomacy and respect for other states and nations dictates that leaders of other countries within the continent respect the decisions taken by the ANC on recalling Mbeki. Privately, they may feel otherwise.

I believe that even if President Obasanjo was still the President, he would have kept quiet and perhaps privately called President Mbeki to get his perspective and really have aprivate conversation that would not be public.

Is Mbeki alone in his our of need really? Anyone who thiinks that including political perssimist who have commented on this article (those who always ask, what is it for me type)will be dissapointed to learn that President Mbeki is not alone in this hour, it is not even an hour of need, it is just another huddle that we must overcome has we forged forward with the national democratic struggle.

Our is a struggle that not not aimed at short term gains, the conduct of our struggle was such, its outcomes will be such and in the long road, many contours and cul de sacs will have to be negotiated and breakthroughs made. In such cases, drawbacks are expected as sometimes any vehicle must reverse. So, as we forge forward, we will be forced to reverse, President Mbeki knows that and he had expected it to happen although none of us had thought that the reversal will be so early in our democracy as we try to push back the contours of illetracy and poverty and bring a society that is litterate and have basic needs.

That is the altimate aim of the revolution, is to bring food and shelter over the heads of many children and adults. That in the present conjecture when we are heading for reccession could only be realistic if we defeat the gridiness of capaital and capitalists.