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PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki has endured a torrent of criticism of late. Some of it has been justified and some of it has belonged to the “kick a man when he is down” category.
Once Mbeki lost the political whip of the ANC to Jacob Zuma in Polokwane, a host of previously admiring commentators decided it was time to apply the steel-toed boot to the poor fellow, already prone from the heavy political blows at the conference.
Yesterday ought to finally bought Mbeki a moment in the sun.
He finally delivered a concrete agreement between Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe and the man who beat him at the polls in March, Morgan Tsvangirai, to talk about the country’s future.
This is a considerable achievement given the violence that in that country since that fateful election.
Mbeki has endured severe criticism for his continued relationship with Mugabe and his apparent failure to turn this into diplomatic gain.
It has not helped that he appears in photographs holding hands with Mugabe, even though even the most cursory examination shows that Mbeki has been ambushed by the wily Mugabe, who knows the value of such publicity. Yesterday Mbeki’s discomfort was painfully obvious and Mugabe had to make do with hanging on to his wrist.
Mbeki may have reacted too slowly to the Zimbabwe meltdown and he was ill-advised to comment that there was “no crisis” in that country as the election was stolen by Mugabe.
But those who want progress in Zimbabwe as opposed to more fodder for their ideological cannons should celebrate yesterday’s signing ceremony.
It was a moment that has allowed us to utter that most powerful of words: “Hope”.
There is, for the first time in more than a decade, real hope that Zimbabwe will move forward. Mbeki needs our support as he pushes on with these critical talks.

Related posts:

  1. Zimbabwe: The way forward if talks collapse
  2. Zimbabwe: Inflation at 66000 percent, Mbeki still happy
  3. Zimbabwe: ANC’s hard-hitting statement restores South Africa’s pride
  4. What Mbeki must tell Mugabe
  5. Zimbabwe election: Is Mbeki really delusional?

 

Comments

 

Ogazm

July 21, 2008 at 6:22 pm

Sanity prevails at last.I guess some of your colleagues wont invite you for drinks or weekend braai anymore.In allowing themselves to be blinded by their hatred they have for Pres Mbeki,some of them have since sacrificed their “Professional intergrity” to sinister forces who have no interest of the country at heart.Objectivity has become a swear word for them.

You’ve slightly restored my trust and faith in the Sunday Times.

 

THE TRUTH WILL SET ZIMBABWE FREE

July 21, 2008 at 7:30 pm

Firstly, let put the record straight. At no time has Morgan Tsvangirai ever said he would not meet to negotiate. In fact, quite the opposite. So when you say a break-through, it has to be presumed that Mbeki saw the light. My reasoning for saying this is simply that Mbeki has supported Mugabe and his destructive idiology for the past 8 years.
What is concerning is that this is only the beginning. It’s not a break-through because most thinking people in Zimbabwe already know that Mugabe never ever sticks to a deal. He will continue to use violence during “negotiations” and Thabo Mbeki will continue to use “quiet diplomacy” to hide Mugabe’s abuses of the people of Zimbabwe.

 

Larry

July 21, 2008 at 8:09 pm

Mr Ray

This is Broer Bald
How goes it with the posting problems? You are the man in charge, are you not?

I this post does not register blah di blah…..

 

SBW

July 21, 2008 at 8:13 pm

In the words of the Zimbabwean UN ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku;

You’re counting your chickens before they hatch!

 

Domza

July 22, 2008 at 11:16 pm

• There is no mention of the Parliament elected on 29 March 2008 with an MDC majority, or when it is to be convened.
• There is no mention of the replacement of the currently unconstitutional Ministers.
• There are no third-party guarantees of security, or of dialogue outcomes.
• There are no immediate measures of relief such as food aid.
• The MoU elevates the unstable Mutambara to be a tie-breaker.
• The MoU gags the MDC from raising a public debate.
• The MoU only lists substantive headings, but none of them have been agreed.

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