Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

Former president Thabo Mbeki, who officially bowed out of the highest office in the country yesterday, still has a vital role to play within the ANC in the future.

The ANC will, from time to time, turn to him for advice whenever there is a need.

ANC NEC member and KwaZulu-Natal chairman Zweli Mkhize said this yesterday when he addressed the media in Durban.

Mkhize said Mbeki as a cadre, a revolutionary and a comrade would always be very useful to the party.

"The ANC will be calling on Mbeki for advice on a number of issues because of his experience within the movement and the country.

"There's a lot that we will gain from him and other leaders that have left the movement at a young age," said Mkhize.

Mkhize said it was natural for people to get shocked when the party recalled a head of state, resulting in his ultimate resignation. He said there was nothing sinister about the decision.

"It was not because of revenge or anything, but the decision was taken after lengthy discussions."