Former president Thabo Mbeki has called for a change in how South Africa elects its president. He argues the current method is flawed. Mbeki was speaking at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, where he launched the National Dialogue for the Eastern Cape’s higher education sector.
Mbeki stated that the system does not question if a president is capable. He used his own experience as an example. “When Parliament said I must become president, they did not have a clue what I was capable of doing, and they never asked,” he said.
This issue is one that the proposed National Dialogue must address. His call for reform has started a debate within the African National Congress (ANC).
South Africa is facing a multi-faceted crisis. Mbeki pointed to problems in the economy, politics, and with crime. He believes political parties do not have the answers. Instead, solutions must come from the people.
He urged the country’s “intelligentsia” and thought leaders to provide practical solutions. He criticised the National Development Plan (NDP) as a “vision” that was never turned into an action plan.
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A need for capable leadership
Mbeki’s comments come as the ANC discusses its own renewal. An anonymous ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member said the party is looking into new strategies. They indicated that Mbeki’s call for reform is not far-fetched and should be discussed by the party’s senior leadership. However, any change to a direct presidential election would require a constitutional amendment.
Mbeki also recently led a political school for ANC veterans in Nelson Mandela Bay. He focused on ideological clarity and party renewal ahead of a postponed regional conference. The push for reform highlights a growing national conversation about leadership and governance.
Image: Former president Thabo Mbeki speaking on Saturday at the National Dialogue for the Eastern Cape higher education sector. [Credit: Michael Sheehan/Daily Maverick]
