ALTHOUGH he’s critical of the leadership style of President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, but when it comes to the decision on the non-aligned stance on Ukraine-Russia, this is correct by SA.
Those are views of former Pres Thabo Mbeki, who said non-aligned stance taken by South Africa in the Ukraine-Russia war is correct, especially if the country is to play a role in mediation between the two countries.
SA has been accused for not taking a firm stance on the war that has ravaged Ukraine; although some believe Russia is a ‘darling’ considering the relations between two States.
The birthday ‘boy’ was addressing media and guests at his birthday fete held at Joburg Theatre on Sunday, evening.
The 81 year-old former statesman said South Africa’s position on the war was no different from the stance that African countries have previously taken to conflicts on the continent.
“This is a traditional African position. If you look at the way we approach conflict on the continent, it does not matter which country is involved; we always say: ‘Let’s stop the guns firing and sit down,’ and we can then decide the causes of the war and so on to find the solution,” said Mbeki.
“If you want to be a mediator, you cannot start by condemning one side or the other. You have got to say: ‘First of all, let us sit down. Silence the guns, let’s talk.’ It is during the negotiations that you can say: ‘You were wrong; you were right.’ This neutral position in that sense is correct,” Mbeki said.
Speaking on the African Peace Initiative led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mbeki said African presidents had taken the right approach by first listening to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to establish the facts on both sides.
Last week, Ramaphosa led a delegation including Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Comorian President Azali Assoumani, as well as leaders from Uganda, Egypt and the Republic of Congo, to Ukraine and Russia to meet with Zelensky and Putin as part of peace initiative talks.
“It is winter, but I think we are suffering from a different kind of cold as a country. It will not snow tonight (Sunday) in Johannesburg, but it will be cold for other reasons because the electricity supply system is unreliable, there is too much criminality, too many people are unemployed… Lots of problems. And I think that is what makes South Africa cold,” he said.
“But I am very glad indeed, and [his wife] Zanele is very glad that we were able to convene here today to keep one another warm. To keep one another warm in this sense that the performers we see here today… communicate a message of hope. It is a message of hope that even as we sit here, we communicate joy.”
Performers included Ringo Madlingozi, Linda Skhakhane, Simphiwe Dana and the Drakensberg Boys Choir.
“Yes, there is a lot of misery out there, but we’ve got enough conviction about the future of our country that we can communicate this message of joy and hope about our future.
That is why I think all of us came to this theatre this Sunday afternoon, because we are of one mind that, tomorrow, South Africa will be better than it is today.
I think we come together because of that kind of commitment,” Mbeki said.
He said what had brought those who had gathered at the theatre to celebrate his birthday “is this confidence about the future”.
“We will make sure that Eskom works,” he said to applause and laughter.
Other guests included former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and his deputy Nomvula Mokonyane, as well as UDM president Bantu Holomisa and EFF treasurer-general Omphile Maotwe.
Mbeki is no stranger to mediation having been to troubled war regions on the African Continent.
Happy belated birthday Mvuyelwa.
Image (Birthday ‘boy’. Former Pres Thabo says the stance taken by SA on the Ukraine-Russia stance is correct).
