End of the Thabo Mbeki era

[Dave A]

You can trust on Desmond Tutu to look on the bright side.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Thursday praised the peaceful way South Africa had handled its recent political crisis, saying it would have led to bloodshed anywhere else in the developing world.

"I have criticised the sacking of president Thabo Mbeki, but we all know if it had happened in any other country in the so-called third world it almost certainly would have happened with bloodshed," he told reporters.

"We are very, very blessed in this country," he added.

"Certainly in Africa you couldn't have something happening that is so seismic and yet with no bloodshed."
full story from M&G here

Oh goody - it was a bloodless coup then

On the positive thinking side, I wouldn't mind if my street was renamed after Desmond. Definitely one of our nation's treasures.

[wynn]

Especially if you live at No 22 Tutu street, very auspicious.

[Dave A]

Lekota going out on a limb, or is this significant?

Former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota on Wednesday served “divorce papers” on the African National Congress and declared his intention of starting a new political formation to oppose the ANC in the coming elections.

Lekota addressed a press conference at the studios of 702 Talk Radio in Sandton, Johannesburg, where he outlined plans to put together a “congress” in a few weeks where the name and policies of the new party would be decided upon.

This party would contest the elections in 2009 and hopes to draw votes from the ANC, which might threaten the ruling party’s two-thirds majority.

Lekota was flanked by his former deputy minister, Mluleki George, as well as former trade union leader and president of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) Willy Madisha and representatives of provinces, but no other key leaders were present.

Lekota refused to say whether any other prominent names have aligned themselves with the new formation, stating “we don’t need prominent people, we need people and the population of the country”.
full story from M&G here

It sounds like there is definitely no Thabo Mbeki involved here. This one is about principles, not personalities.

[Dave A]

An extract or two from an interview with Mluleki George about his take on the new political formation brewing.

Former deputy minister of defence Mluleki George is a key driver of the campaign for a new party. He spoke to Mandy Rossouw.

The ANC is still holding out for a reconciliation. Do you see that happening?
I don't know. They've arranged to meet [Mosiuoa] Lekota but Lekota is not working alone, it's a collective. But we have full confidence that he will answer the questions.

It depends on whether the comrades are honest in wanting to find a solution. We've spoken to leaders before and what they say and what they do are two different things.

There's a lot of movement and it will be difficult to stop.
full report from M&G here

This next bit is my takeaway sound bite:

Life is about risk. You can't say you won't go to work because you're scared of being in an accident or being mugged. You say to yourself: "I have to do it for my children."

Well said, Mluleki! I think I'm going to have that printed and framed.