Speaking in Pretoria yesterday at a birthday celebration in his honour, former President Mandela said that South Africa needs disciplined leaders now as much as ever in the country’s history.

Mandela’s name will remain etched in the history of South Africa as the first President of a constitutional democratic order and yet his legacy may not be correctly contextualised unless he pronounces his opinion on the fate of Mr. Jacob Zuma, the current popular President of a party that has helped transform him from an ex-political convict to a global brand and icon, as he enters the final mile to the statehouse.

It was significant that both President Mbeki, Mandela’s successor in the state as well as the party, and Zuma were at the joyful celebration.

Although Zuma described Mandela as the glue that held the organisation together as well as an icon to the nation, it would be naïve to overlook the leadership crisis that faces the party and the fact that the glue has not worked in ensuring a seamless transition between Mbeki and Zuma.

The fact that Mandela is alive to witness Zuma’s tribulations and be privy to the alleged conspiracy by a state controlled by the party he calls his own is important in testing the strength and resilience of the foundations of the post apartheid order’s values, morality and principles. All that Mandela represents has the risk of being undermined irreparably if the current state of affairs in the party and state continues unabated.

It is ironic that SADC appointed Mbeki to be the mediator in the Zimbabwean political crisis and yet he has not been able to rise to the occasion in his bitter and toxic dispute with Zuma.

Nothing can camouflage the antipathy between Zuma and Mbeki and what they purport to stand for. Unlike Mugabe and Tsvangirai, Mbeki and Zuma hail from the same movement that can claim credit for Mandela’s remarkable legacy. They share a common political heritage and yet surprisingly such a heritage did not train them to efficiently manage the succession question.

What is it about African politics that in the post colonial era, the value system that informed the liberation struggle seems to be perishable and disposal? Zuma spoke of Mandela’s high level of discipline and it is evident that such discipline has not been transmitted to his successors.

Although Zuma acknowledge the existence of what he termed: “organisational challenges” within the party it is remarkable that the weight of Mandela’s character has not been brought to bear on the challenges and obstacles that he confronts before taking the reigns of state power.

Mandela’s legacy risks being better understood outside the corridors of the ANC unless he positively intervenes in the matter.It was significant that Zuma make the remark that a “leader must put others before him/herself” effectively isolating Mbeki as an egotistic leader given that such a description can hardly be used in relation to Mandela.

Zuma absolved Mandela from taking any responsibility for the crisis by saying: “Your legacy is a book for all to read. If we do not learn, it cannot be your fault.” Surely, if Mandela had invested in building a strong moral foundation for the party to deal with the challenges of a post apartheid state, it cannot be accepted that he bears no responsibility for the current challenges the party finds itself in.

Even Mbeki referred to Mandela as someone who is a hero to the people of Africa and yet Africa finds itself challenged by the big moral questions of the day. What really is Mandela’s legacy to Africa if he cannot instil the same discipline and spirit of reconciliation in his party that he has been universally credited for?

Why would Mandela choose to describe the ANC as a great organisation fully aware of the divisions that are ripping the organisation apart? The party is at a crossroad and yet the moral compass is missing in action.

Mandela made the remark at the celebration that: “It is now in your hands to uphold the best and the noblest of that history.” While it may be argued that Mandela is no longer relevant in shaping the destiny of the party that he loves so dearly, it cannot be right to hold the view that as a founding father of the post apartheid state he has no role to play in ensuring that the party continues to respect the ideals that made the organisation attractive to him.

Mandela also correctly observed that: “I would be nothing without the ANC. I thank the ANC for having given meaning to my 90 years on this planet.” However, if the ANC is breaking at the seams because of leadership challenges and ideological confusion, it is important that Mandela urgently intervenes in the crisis rather than leaving it to COSATU, SACP and other role players.

The celebration of Mandela’s life and contribution to conflict resolution is well deserved but ultimately his legacy will stand or fall on how he prepared his own organisation to deal with nation building and organisational challenges.

The post apartheid order needs its own set of values and Mandela has a role to play in shaping the minds of a generation that has been blinded by past injustices to the extent that the future risks being relegated to fate.

The ANC continues to lead the nation and ironically the party appears to be less united at a time when the country is urgently in need of leadership to tackle the poverty challenges.

The party needs to demonstrate that it should continue to be trusted as a leader in the march to a better South Africa. The need to protect, defend, consolidate and advance democracy within the party and in national life cannot be overstated as the need for Mandela to continue to use his moral authority to help heal the deep and growing wounds.
The courts can do their part only if voices of reason like Mandela add their weight to the resolution of the crisis.

Already the judiciary and the legislature have been sucked into the contestation for power in the party with disastrous consequences on the constitutional democratic order premised on the doctrine of the separation of powers between the three organs of the state.The principle of collective leadership and inclusiveness that Mandela spoke about is not evident in the ANC that Mandela may not live long to be a part of and influence. Should he use his remaining days to provide leadership on these defining questions?

While many may argue that Mandela belongs to the past, it cannot be right for him to talk in the abstract about collective leadership and inclusivity when the facts on the ground suggest otherwise.

Rightly or wrongly, Zuma and his large support base believe that he is a victim of a state-sponsored conspiracy. Mandela, Mbeki and Zuma all fought hard and sacrificed much for democracy for them to end up seemingly hopeless while the country is yearning for decisive leadership.

Mandela’s fundamental commitment to creating a better life for all, particularly the poor and marginalised risks being undermined by the actions of his successors while he reduces himself to a spectator in a tragic drama where the actors are his own protégés.

The post apartheid state continues to be challenged by poverty and deprivation and yet significant state resources are being diverted to pursue what appear to be personal and vindictive agendas.

In order to end poverty and give meaning to Mandela’s legacy, we have no choice but to redouble our effort to put in place programs and actions that address the real issues of the day rather than who are up and who are down in the political silo. Together with Mandela we can and must do something before the culture of intolerance and ideological manipulation takes root.