In the end, a scholar and a gentleman . . .

Now that I have had an opportunity to familiarise myself with the provisions of our Constitution that deal with the removal of the President and related matters, I appreciate even more the resignation of Thabo Mbeki. In his own words, he chose to abide by the decision of the ANC as a member of the ANC.

A quick look at the provisions of the Constitution show that had he decided not to co-operate with his colleagues in the ANC, it would have taken some work on the part of those that chose to remove him from office to get it done. With only six months to go for his term to come to an end, he could arguably have stayed in office until the next election. That would have in my humble opinion, had terrible consequences for our country.

Be that as it may, he did the honourable thing for which I will always remember him with respect. Whether he should have been asked to leave, is of course a different matter; but that he can be asked to leave, is a matter to be appreciated. Our brand of democracy is one that places the group above the individual; it is one that we all were at some point madly in love with. Before we get all despondent and judgemental as only us South Africans can be, let us take a collective moment to appreciate that our democracy (warts and all) works. Let us appreciate more the fact that Thabo Mbeki, when called on to do so, put us and the country first. Most of all, let us take a collective moment and recall that proportional representation was intended to preven "winner takes all" and to protect minorities, to wit white people. It is party uber all, except of course where floor crossing is concerned and that is a matter for another blog.

As for the various socio-political commentators; has anything changed in the last two months or so. Unless, I am mistaken, there seems to have been a general consensus that Thabo Mbeki should go. The general consensus held that he was not good for South Africa for a million and one reasons, chief of which was that his quiet diplomacy in Zimbabwe was not working, etc. To now suggest that the re-call of Thabo Mbeki by his organisation is a crisis or will plunge the country into crisis is with respect disingenious. Stha reminds me that the British Labour party unceremoniously booted out Tony Blair and Gordon Brown is barely hanging on. I believe the minister of transport over there has resigned and with no offer of assistance to the new guy.

Like many South Africans (I hope) I was infatuated by an intellectual "Afrika first" president. I was excited that the Mandela honeymoon was coming to a close and things will meaningfully change for black people in South Africa. I was like many others to be disappointed repeatedly by some of the decisions and actions of the President I have come to idolise. He has taken a lot of criticisms and has been called various names, dictator being one of them. Rajeni can and has with scorn and contempt set out the failures of this man. Marc on the other hand has set out the triumphs and talents of this tragic man. Rajeni maintains the "Friends of Jacob Zuma" website. Marc is the author "A dream Deferred".

The achievements of Thabo Mbeki like his failures speak for themselves but in the end, he remains a scholar and a gentleman.