BUTI MANAMELA'S CALLS ARE IGNORANT AND MISINFORMED
President Zuma's administration and allies have since the inauguration been shifting blame of failures of the previous administration directly at former President Mbeki's doorstep, whilst accepting its successes as their own, without affording any accolades to the former President and his colleagues for some of the good work they did. President Zuma, on BBC directly blamed Mr Mbeki for HIV/AIDS failures in South Africa, accusing him of implementing his own policies, instead of the ANC's. One was left to wonder, as Deputy President of the ANC and the country at the time, why did he remain silent if he knew ANC policies were not implemented. He should therefore also accept responsibility for the so-called Mbeki failures. Mr Aaron Motsoaledi is the latest high-level official to have opportunistically jumped on the bandwagon. The message to the Government is clear: get on with your job and stop blaming others.
Buti Manamela's call for charging President Mbeki with genocide is ignorant, immature and opportunistic at best. He deserves to be castigated for fighting and pushing his quasi-communist master's political battles while they hide behind him to do their dirty work. This declaration is without substance and is being used as cheap political point scoring to outdo Julius Malema, who is regarded in ANC circles as a man of incredible clout and influence. If this is anything to go by, it is evident that the once glorious tripartite alliance is beginning to crumble.
Lesson 101 Mr Manamela, Thesaurus describes Genocide as "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group." COPE President, Mr Lekota, also joined the fray describing the genocide calls as irresponsible and that genocide "was a deliberate policy or decision to kill people." He carried on saying that at no point was this ever ANC or Government policy.
That, Mr Mbeki's systematically and deliberately planned to wipe out a portion of the South African population infected with HIV and AIDS is ludicrous. We all acknowledge that some serious mistakes were made during Mbeki's tenure, but we should be big enough to acknowledge that these took place collectively under the watch of President Zuma, who at the time was the country's Deputy President and Chairman of the South African National AIDS Council. The ANC and its alliance partners pride themselves in collectivism and implementing ANC policy in Government. Why is it now convenient to castigate a leader of Mbeki's stature when collectively they could have avoided their now publicised concern?
At times, I have to admit to have the most admiration for Julius Malema for speaking truth to power. He is quoted to have said that the decisions President Mbeki made in Government, were collective ANC decisions, and they would therefore, not allow him to be hung out to dry! He further stated that should Mr Mbeki be charged with genocide, other leaders within the ANC would also be exposed. Was he perhaps referring to President Zuma and the collective at the time? I would therefore further encourage him to whisper in the President's ear to ask him to desist from shifting blame on other people, but rather focus on fighting the pandemic head on. After all, history will judge him on his track record than blaming others for mistakes made. As far as South Africans are concerned, the ANC has been in Government for the past 15 years, and should therefore take collective responsibility for any mistakes made.
I was very encouraged to have read an article in The Times, dated 24 November 2009 by Nkululeko Nxesi, the Secretary General of the National Association of People living with HIV/Aids, and it gives an insight to what people's views are about the manner in which politicians continue with their masquerades. Nxesi was quoted as saying: "It is important that we move forward and stop trying to settle scores and by being vengeful. Many [people with HIV/Aids] still do not have access to nutrition and food security. This causes most of them not to take the treatment that is provided by the government clinics and hospitals." He further mentioned that said Tshabalala-Msimang's statements about nutrition carried some weight.
It is high time that politicians stopped their bickering to score cheap political points and focus on serious issues at hand. We continue to wait in anticipation for the roll out of a comprehensive Government plan as promised by Dr Motsoaledi. Blaming Mr Mbeki will never solve any problems, but will be a catalyst to fuel more divisions and anarchy than finding meaningful solutions that will benefit millions of South Africans.
Sipho Nghona is a member of COPE. He writes in his personal capacity.
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