What is our zeitgeist here in South Africa? What marks the spirit of our times? Do we still have a dream for our nation?
In an opinion piece in the Sunday Times on March 1 2009, Professor Thandwa Mthembu stated that "the moral Zeitgeist of this country tips more towards entitlement-by-whatever-means and to crime than towards the traditional churches and their teachings." He then argued that because of this perceived tendency towards entitlement, Dr Dandala's message is irrelevant in our political environment today.
I disagree. If anything, it is because our morality has become tarnished and our dreams have faded that Dandala has a significant role to play as an inspirational beacon of hope. Moreover, Dandala's breadth of interests has always spanned political reconciliation, economic development and empowerment. He has also been a champion of the African Renaissance. His particular mix of skills, the purity of his message and vision, make him a perfect antidote for country as it is today.
Professor Tinyiko Sam Maluleke, President of the (SACC) South African Council of Churches and Executive Director for Research at UNISA, remarked in a speech in Mpumalanga and his Open Letter to South Africa (Feb 24th,2009) that he has observed the ascendency of a culture of 'disgrace politics' rather than the 'politics of affirmation'. In keeping with the culture of disgrace politics," he adds, "we have seen journalists and politicians abandon all ethics and all manner of political etiquette in pursuit of the warped 'glory' that comes with the downfall of a disgraced political opponent."
Maluleke's insights echo my own disappointment in many of the articles about Dandala in the weekend papers. Since the 1990's, I have known him as an outstanding peacemaker, and exemplar of ubuntu leadership. Rev Prof Peter Storey, who has known Dandala since the 80's had the same response to the media coverage. "Journalists seem ignorant of Dandala's role in hostel initiatives and miss the degree to which his involvement was a story of tenacity, patience and incredible diplomacy. During the early nineties, he chose to engage in a battle for peace which was being waged when all the currents were flowing in the other direction. He was able to get from both sides what no one else could get in the intense crucible of violence."
Maluleke in his Open Letter also said, "Together with many fellow South Africans, I refuse to accept the politics of disgrace as the politics that define my country and my people. It is possible to conduct politics on the basis of respect, affirmation and persuasion." Similarly Peter Storey, a former leader of the Methodist Church believes that one of the important contributions Dandala can make to the political environment is to insist that both rules and dignity can be restored.
In a recent interview, Storey said, "Dandala can introduce stability and high standards of discourse. He can do a great deal if he leads by example. In this way, he can show that the political discourse does not need to operate in the gutter. Our politics needs to be pulled out of the gutter. The quality of our political discourse determines our relationships with each other in every part of the country. If we see politicians behaving like spoilt children and slinging mud at each other, we are tempted to do the same. Politicians are the people who occupy the headlines and occupy large spaces in our lives. If COPE is serious about what its aims are they could restore the dignity to our politics."
In his acceptance speech as COPE's presidential candidate, Dandala spoke to our lost dreams standing for a commitment to "help our nation return to the dreams and hopes that we, as a nation, cherished in 1994. Those dreams were of a fair and just society...". Affirmation is a word that Dandala often uses and an ethos he stresses. His candidacy may well bring a timely opportunity for us to experience a new version of politics - the politics of respect, politics of affirmation and the politics of hope.
If our main preoccupation as South Africans was to reclaim an elevated brand of politics, we could together feel respect for ourselves and for our land. And if journalists took the trouble to discover the depths of all Dandala has to offer, and South Africans had an opportunity to get to know him, he could re-ignite a vision of the future, re-energise the apathetic and remind us of what many of us have loved about this country.
Being invited to become Secretary General of the AACC speaks of Dandala as a leader of continental stature, let alone national stature. According to Maluleke, this is the most senior ecumenical position on the whole continent. "The only person senior to the AACC General Secretary would be the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches. To be asked to take up that position is a significant vote of confidence. "
Maluleke added, because of his role at the AACC Dandala has a unique perspective on political, social and ecumenical developments across the continent. He was in the thick of negotiations behind the scenes in Kenya - perhaps getting less credit than he deserves. There is no doubt that he has been well schooled in Nairobi to take on many of the roles that would be required in a high level leadership role in South Africa. Very few people would have a more accurate and fresh perspective on what is going on continentally. "
Dandala, if he can transcend the difficult politics both within COPE and the gutter politics of our land today, holds the possibility of taking us out of disgrace politics and rekindling the vision of more elevated versions of ourselves.
Problems are solved by a nation shifting and changing its attitude and choosing the right leader. According to Peter Storey, in Dandala "the spirit of statesmanship is there. He holds a clear vision for our society. He has a track record of demonstrating that where things are most intense, he is willing to engage. He struggles with the deep questions. He cares about the fundamental issues. This is where his mind is a great gift." Whether or not we shift our attitudes and values, to acquire a leader of his calibre is "all in our hands" as Madiba's message reminded us during the Wembley concert last year. It's up to us to choose what we tolerate in our politicians.
I believe Dandala has the stature we need and sets the bar of our shared hopes high. He provides the inspiration to dig within ourselves to discover a better future. At a recent rally in Germiston, Dandala said, "We want to say our dream is that of one nation." I stand with this vision.
Barbara Nussbaum is an author who has published internationally on the topic of ubuntu. She worked with Dr Dandala when they were both involved with the Wits Vaal Peace Secretariat and has previously written about his unique style of leadership in the Sunday Independent Newspaper, October 25 1998 (see here). To contact the author: write to [email protected]
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