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Motlanthe: don’t kill the messenger when govt makes mistakes

Motlanthe: don’t kill the messenger when govt makes mistakes

Kgalema Motlanthe delivered a history lesson rather than a rousing speech on Wednesday, as he helped remember the life of a struggle icon. But at least he doesn't think that demonising anyone who points out the failings of government is a winning strategy. BY PHILLIP DE WET.

Only once did the crowd in the Wits Great Hall stir itself to applaud deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe as he delivered the Ruth First Memorial Lecture. Referring to the “sins of incumbency” inevitably committed by post-liberation governments got him a minor stir, and pointing out that a background of privilege does not preclude fighting injustice made some heads bob. But it was a harsh bit of self-criticism about criticism that finally got him a show of approval.

“Accepting criticism and conceding to our errors without imputing evil motives to those committed South Africans who point out our mistakes with the best interests of our nation at heart should be as normal as voting for any party we choose,” Motlanthe said – to the approval of a crowd largely made up of academics and students.

Despite delivering a lecture in commemoration of a woman assassinated for speaking out too openly about the apartheid government of the time, that’s as close to open controversy as Motlanthe has ever strayed. Except, as is typical of the man, for the subtle clues to some interesting thinking.

It is a scarcity of resources that prevents social cohesion, Motlanthe said, which in turn leads to “perceptions of racism, feelings of group marginalisation and pronounced ethnic consciousness”. In other words, a scramble for too small a pot of money is at the root of many of South Africa’s social ills, with racism at the top of the list. Not that a history of racial animosity helps, but if you want to develop a “common national consciousness”, look to economics.

Motlanthe also managed to just barely hint that the courts could protect society from a legislature that seems increasingly keen to impose media restrictions. Speaking of First’s fight against censorship, he said South Africa “must commit never to betray these ideals, now or in the future”, then pointed out that the judicial review is a pillar of our constitutional democracy. He left connecting the dots as an exercise for the audience.

We’d like to interpret it as a sign that the lessons of history are not entirely wasted on the national executive. DM



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