Setting the cat amongst the pigeons: Third term for President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa?

By Dr Vusi Shongwe

Some philosophers like to play an intellectual version of Russian roulette! That explains why I have taken the risk of shooting myself in the head by broaching the subject of the third term for President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa. 

My motivation to generate controversy rather than consensus derives from an article written by Ian Mitroff and his colleagues titled Assumptional Analysis: A methodology for strategic problem solving. The article supports my conviction that our culture unconsciously trains us for compromise or even the avoidance of conflict. We run the risk of reaching a compromise too soon, and for the wrong reasons, because of our inability to tolerate conflict and controversy. Although I approach this matter with utter trepidation, I feel that I would be patriotically remiss if I failed to raise this matter of national importance. Although I do not pretend, at any moment, to be speaking on behalf of all South Africans, I have no doubt that might share my view.  

It is still my opinion that a limit to the term and the entire duration of tenure of office of the President is an indispensable condition of the safety and perpetuity of democratic government. It is not less fundamental and imperative than the division of the powers of government or freedom and independence of tribunals of justice. However, given the conspicuous absence of an incredible pool of leaders worthy to succeed President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, it might be desirable to keep the third term option open. With great humility and respect, the leaders who might be likely to succeed President Ramaphosa are less exciting figures who do not inspire confidence. Ironically, this is the same problem America is experiencing. The election of Donuld Trump points to global leadership crisis. Just like in America, the pool of consummate leaders has long dried up. In South Africa, the option of a third term is fast gaining momentum. Former KZN Premier – Mr. Sbu Ndebele, whose political foresight was and still is ahead of his time, once mooted justifiably the third term for former President Thabo Mbeki. Circumstances then were not dissimilar to current ones alluded to herein. There was a conspicuous deficit of potential leadership with his world-class intellectualism. There were red flags warning that replacing him flippantly and will-nilly would be politically counter-productive. Instead of constructively engaging Ndebele, some chose to play the man than the ball. Well, the rest is history in regard to political developments subsequent to the replacement of that intellectual and  statesman.

Lest I be misunderstood. I am not doubting the expertise and gravitas of our current leaders, but they are certainly not  presidential material yet. Maybe by the time President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa’s third term ends, if the third term option is preferred, all the would-be pretenders to the presidential throne  would have finished harnessing their skills to venture into challenging for the position of a president.

There are few politicians that I strongly feel preparation processes should have begun to groom them for both deputy and president positions of the country. Names that come to mind are Mdumiseni Ntuli, Floyd Shivambu, Dr Ndlozi, Sboniso Duma, Amanda Bani-Mapena, Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, to name but a few.

One of the challenges of  organisations, especially our political organisations, has been their failure to identify and prepare the next generation of leaders. This, therefore, explains why they end up recycling tried and tested leaders even in their twilight of years and careers, which manifests itself by suddenly being prone to falling asleep in crucial meetings. Not unless one is completely wrong, from all the parties, there appears to have no mechanism for intergenerational transfer of wisdom from yesteryear and today’s great leaders to tomorrow’s leaders. Teaching the next generation of leaders by helping them develop traits such as emotional intelligence, or by grooming them in skills ranging from public speaking to reading and understanding financial statements and other skills are vitally important for basic survival for new modern day leaders. But is this enough? 

Leadership development also requires the acquisition of wisdom that experienced leaders gained as they moved through their careers. In most fields, world-class performers seem to possess an instinctive feel for what and how to do what is needed at precisely the correct moment. Indeed, just as great artists, athletes, or surgeons gained their “instinctive” touch through mentoring with masters and experiential learning at an early age, so must emerging or identified  leaders be given the opportunity to learn from master leaders. This is where traditional training has been lacking, especially in the public sector. One of the reasons the public sector does not inspire hope is the failure of government departments to have effective and sustainable leadership succession  plans in place. This applies to political parties as well. 

It was an indictment to the ruling party not to have had understudies for a great leader like the ever inspiring Dr Naledi Pandor. It also a blot to the image of the African National Congress not to have, over the years, identified and prepared a pool of the next generation of leaders. It is an open secret that the ages of the majority of seniors and seasoned leaders of the ANC range between 60 and 73. The fact that a mighty political organization like the ANC has only Ronald Lamola as a youngster in the cabinet speaks directly to the leadership marasmus this thinking aloud short piece is lamenting about.

It is time the ANC seriously gives attention to the revival of political education through compulsory political classes for identified cadres for leadership positions. The ANC urgently needs to identify and prepare leaders of the calibre of Mdumiseni Ntuli, Sboniso Duma, and Amanda Bani-Mapena.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (an offspring of the ANC) also suffers from the same leadership marasmus. It does not inspire hope that, just like in the ANC, young and emerging leaders are flabbergasting less than ten. The only conspicuous high profile young leader is the well-groomed Mr. Mkhuleko Hlengwa. Just like in the ANC, it can’t be right for the IFP to be found wanting for failing to identify and prepare the next generation of leaders. 

It behoves leaders like Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa, Mr. Blessed Gwala, Mr. Thamsanqa Ntuli, Mr. Mthandeni Ngubane, to identify and prepare the next generation of leaders of the IFP.  Indeed, Mr. Hlabisa and his collective are seized with the mammoth task of identifying and preparing the next generation of leaders of the calibre of His Excellency  Prince of KwaPhindangene. In passing, any person who undermines the sheer brilliance and political astuteness of Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi does so at his or her own peril.  Put aside whatever that he is politically muddied with from time to time, the young man is an undeniable genius. His imperturbable demeanour is one of the hallmarks of his leadership.  He had better clean up his acts if any of the allegations about him are true. 

The pools of potential leadership from all political parties seem to have long dried up. It is time to fill up the pools, and that time is now.

I indicated earlier on that it was with great trepidation that I even broached the subject under discussion. I pray, however, that on this, as in all other occasions, “boldness” could be “my friend”– in the same way that it was Princess Mkabayi’s during King Shaka’s reign.

* Dr Vusi Shongwe writes in his personal capacity.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.