Former president Thabo Mbeki said on Friday the constitution should occupy a special place in the planned national dialogue to discuss the country’s future.
“It was the express view of the people as a whole that ours must be a constitutional democracy‚” Mbeki said.
“It means that anybody or institution which acts in violation of any provisions of the constitution is repudiating the will of the people.”
Mbeki was speaking at an event convened by the National Foundations Dialogue Initiative (NFDI) to discuss the future of the country. The initiative was officially launched in April last year to find lasting solutions to the country’s problems.
Two other former presidents‚ FW de Klerk and Kgalema Motlanthe‚ and former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka were keynote speakers at the initiative’s inaugural event in Johannesburg.
Mbeki‚ Motlanthe‚ De Klerk launch dialogue on nation buildingThe National Foundations Dialogue Initiative (NFDI)‚ which consists of foundations established by eight of the country’s illustrious citizens‚ will host its inaugural dialogue session in Johannesburg on Friday.
The main objective was to facilitate engagement among South Africans about issues that are key to nation building.
The topic of the session is entitled: “Why does South Africa need a national dialogue? A call to the nation.”
De Klerk told the event that the timing of the dialogue could not be more appropriate because South Africa was in the grip of its most serious challenges since the establishment of our constitutional democracy 23 years ago.
“Our economy is in a more parlous position than it was 23 years ago. There is no doubt we need a new national dialogue to discuss these pressing challenges.
“The future of all South Africans and all children for decades to come is threatened by current challenges.”
Mbalula: Most ANC members and South Africans are behind ZumaPolice minister Fikile Mbalula has defended President Jacob Zuma against his detractors‚ saying those who were openly critical had sought to “demonise” the ANC.
De Klerk said the country needed to transform a situation where 40% of the country’s population languished in poverty.
De Klerk said the country needed to discuss the serious economic challenges facing the country‚ including a strategy to turn around education and address inequalities.
“We must oppose racism and unfair discrimination in every quarter.”
Motlanthe said if the people allowed this “unwholesome” character of politics to continue while they wallowed in silence‚ they would have learnt nothing from history.
Mlambo-Ngcuka‚ who presented her speech via a video link‚ said the country was now in a position where it needed leadership to help restore values that the country had been losing.
“We need to return to a South Africa that is envisaged in the constitution. We need leaders who serve and are not served.”
She said leaders must not expect to be rewarded for doing their jobs‚ “just like like we cannot reward a fish for swimming”.
The initiative consists of eight foundations: Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe‚ FW de Klerk‚ Thabo Mbeki‚ Helen Suzman‚ Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy‚ Umlambo‚ Chief Albert Luthuli and Jakes Gerwel.
The event continues.
-TMG Digital
Constitution should occupy special place in discussions about SA’s future: Mbeki
Former president Thabo Mbeki said on Friday the constitution should occupy a special place in the planned national dialogue to discuss the country’s future.
“It was the express view of the people as a whole that ours must be a constitutional democracy‚” Mbeki said.
“It means that anybody or institution which acts in violation of any provisions of the constitution is repudiating the will of the people.”
Mbeki was speaking at an event convened by the National Foundations Dialogue Initiative (NFDI) to discuss the future of the country. The initiative was officially launched in April last year to find lasting solutions to the country’s problems.
Two other former presidents‚ FW de Klerk and Kgalema Motlanthe‚ and former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka were keynote speakers at the initiative’s inaugural event in Johannesburg.
The main objective was to facilitate engagement among South Africans about issues that are key to nation building.
The topic of the session is entitled: “Why does South Africa need a national dialogue? A call to the nation.”
De Klerk told the event that the timing of the dialogue could not be more appropriate because South Africa was in the grip of its most serious challenges since the establishment of our constitutional democracy 23 years ago.
“Our economy is in a more parlous position than it was 23 years ago. There is no doubt we need a new national dialogue to discuss these pressing challenges.
“The future of all South Africans and all children for decades to come is threatened by current challenges.”
De Klerk said the country needed to transform a situation where 40% of the country’s population languished in poverty.
De Klerk said the country needed to discuss the serious economic challenges facing the country‚ including a strategy to turn around education and address inequalities.
“We must oppose racism and unfair discrimination in every quarter.”
Motlanthe said if the people allowed this “unwholesome” character of politics to continue while they wallowed in silence‚ they would have learnt nothing from history.
Mlambo-Ngcuka‚ who presented her speech via a video link‚ said the country was now in a position where it needed leadership to help restore values that the country had been losing.
“We need to return to a South Africa that is envisaged in the constitution. We need leaders who serve and are not served.”
She said leaders must not expect to be rewarded for doing their jobs‚ “just like like we cannot reward a fish for swimming”.
The initiative consists of eight foundations: Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe‚ FW de Klerk‚ Thabo Mbeki‚ Helen Suzman‚ Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy‚ Umlambo‚ Chief Albert Luthuli and Jakes Gerwel.
The event continues.
-TMG Digital
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos