{"id":72867,"date":"2016-07-11T18:47:46","date_gmt":"2016-07-11T16:47:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/book-review-finding-a-vocabulary-to-judge-thabo-mbeki-the-conversation\/"},"modified":"2016-07-11T18:47:46","modified_gmt":"2016-07-11T16:47:46","slug":"book-review-finding-a-vocabulary-to-judge-thabo-mbeki-the-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/book-review-finding-a-vocabulary-to-judge-thabo-mbeki-the-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"Book review: finding a vocabulary to judge Thabo Mbeki | The Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book review: finding a vocabulary to judge Thabo Mbeki<\/a>: <\/p>\n

Former South African presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki at Mbeki's inauguration in 1999.<\/span> Reuters<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

South Africa\u2019s second democratically elected president remains a puzzle to many notwithstanding Mark Gevisser, who wrote the fine 2007 biography, \u201cThabo Mbeki: The Dream Deferred\u201d.<\/p>\n

Of course, there are many different explanations for why he puzzles us so. Also, why he haunts our politics nine years after he lost the African National Congress (ANC) presidency to Jacob Zuma.<\/p>\n

One reason surely is that that Mbeki, at one time or another, was the poster-child for one or other faction of those who walked the thin line between democracy and one-party rule: Africanists, business, youth, the left, the right, the free-marketeers, the modernisers \u2013 sometimes, even the traditionalists.<\/p>\n

This list seems endless. The tragedy, of course, was that each of these was to be bitterly disappointed by him.<\/p>\n

And yet for all this disenchantment, it is difficult to dismiss Mbeki. After all, he is close enough to be remembered as an intellectually engaged leader. He is still young enough to be considered an African statesman. And he remains un-ignorable each time his ideas appear in the press.<\/p>\n

So what are we to make of a book, written by those who know him, which was published with the support of the foundation that bears Mbeki\u2019s name?<\/p>\n

Two introductory essays (both called \u201cForeword\u201d) are followed by a mix of mini-essays and reports of interviews in \u201cThe Thabo Mbeki I Know\u201d. There are 44 in all, offering insights into the man and the career.<\/p>\n

The contributions are divided into ten categories: Family Friends; African Leaders; Cabinet and Government; Advisers; South African Ambassadors; Cadres and Comrades; Support Staff and Media; Acquaintances; Friends from other Countries; Academics.<\/p>\n

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Cover of the newly published \u2018The Thabo Mbeki I Know\u2019.<\/span> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the praise-singing<\/h2>\n

Expectedly, perhaps, there is much praise-singing in these pages. Indeed, in a very superficial reading, the book is corroded with clich\u00e9s about the man. He is \u201chard working\u201d, \u201carticulate\u201d, \u201cconscientious\u201d, \u201cpassionate\u201d, \u201ccool\u201d, \u201cstrategic\u201d, \u201cmeasured\u201d, \u201cdetailed\u201d, \u201ccommitted\u201d, \u201cthorough\u201d, \u201cthoughtful\u201d. He has \u201cimpeccable integrity\u201d, \u201cunwavering commitment\u201d \u2013 and many attributes more besides.<\/p>\n

But between all the admiration, approval and appreciation, there is much in this book to whet the intellectual interests of historians, political scientists, economists and, of course, ANC-junkies. But to get to these interesting parts one needs to approach these pages alive to the limitations of the restorative end of the Mbeki project, which seeks to sanitise him. Also, to closely read the text.<\/p>\n

This means putting, as far as one can, predilections and prejudice to one side.<\/p>\n

One of the introductory essays is by the redoubtable academic Mahmood Mamdani. This is a helpful primer to the contents because he isolates four important \u201cchapters\u201d that run through these pages, as they ran through Mbeki\u2019s time at the top. First, the hullabaloo over his macroeconomics strategy of Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) versus the left-leaning Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) of the Nelson Mandela administration. Then, South Africa and Africa (including the policy over Zimbabwe). Third, the storm over HIV\/AIDS. And, last, the calamity at the city of Polokwane when he lost the leadership of the ANC at the party\u2019s national conference.<\/p>\n