Rehana Rossouw
ATTEMPTS by Pan Africanist Congress members to ease the departure of its president, Clarence Makwetu, have been stymied by his insistence on contesting his position at the organisation’s congress this weekend.
While Makwetu has not been blamed entirely for weaknesses in the PAC, senior members believe his deficient leadership has contributed to the weaknesses of the organisation.
Many had hoped rumours that he would be offered an ambassadorial position by President Nelson Mandela would bear fruit, and that he would leave the organisation in a “dignified manner”.
“But like many African leaders, he probably believes he is a life president and he is refusing to back down gracefully,” said a senior PAC member.
At a PAC convention in September, called as a crisis measure to chart a way forward for the organisation, eight criteria were drafted for the election of a new leadership. These include “be dynamic”, “be vigilant”, “work harmoniously in a collective environment” and “inspire confidence within the PAC constituency”. Many PAC members believe Makwetu falls short.
Bishop Stanley Mogoba should be a shoo-in for the position, and the Methodist Church has already appointed the Rev Mvume Dandala as his successor as presiding bishop. Mogoba has retired from the church. Other contenders are PAC deputy president Motsoko Pheko and retired United Nations official Phillip Kgosana.
Mogoba was appointed by the PAC convention in September to initiate a “healing process” to reconcile party members.
Although the convention was not a constituted gathering, its recommendations will be put to the PAC congress this weekend. Among them is a call to retain the ideology of Pan-Africanism by promoting African languages, and entrenching African values in the education system and through black economic empowerment.
The convention resolved that the PAC remain a liberation movement but have departments which reflect Cabinet portfolios. Political education among members should be stepped up and party schools established to train both rank-and-file and senior leaders about PAC policy.
* This weekend’s congress is being held at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou.