ANC statement on the meeting of the National Officials and former president of the ANC Comrade Thabo Mbeki

12 April 2023

National Officials of the African National Congress (ANC) met with the former President Comrade Thabo Mbeki. The meeting follows the much-publicised leaked letter that President Mbeki addressed to the National Officials.

The meeting reflected on the contents of former President Mbeki's letter in a comradely and collegial spirit. The discussion was framed around organisational renewal and unity of the ANC. National Officials reaffirmed the ANC's commitment to organisational renewal as well as the advisory role of elders as champions and ambassadors of the renewal agenda.

The meeting was unanimous in its appreciation of the urgency to renew the ANC. To this end, former President Mbeki underscored his strong support for the renewal and unity of the ANC.

Amongst the key areas of discussion was the matter of constitutional democracy including the role of parliamentary oversight and how these need to be managed. It is the considered view of the ANC that when all three arms of the State work in step with one another, any matter of national interest gets to be fully ventilated.

Following a cordial and robust engagement with our former President, the ANC will continue to draw on the well of wisdom of its elders whenever the need arises.

Issued by Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, National Spokesperson, ANC, 12 April 2023