THERE is something to be said for President Nelson Mandela’s quaint, old-worldly manners. One of the negatives, however, is an abiding, and sometimes inexplicable, loyalty to the point where it can affect his decision-making.
Loyalty is a virtue when it comes to remembering kind jailers, or maintaining a personal relationship with Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi despite political differences, or standing by your wife in times of trouble, or showing respect for the now harmless PW
But, in one respect at least, it appears to be clouding the president’s judgment. Loyalty to friends and colleagues is the only explanation for Mandela’s apparent reluctance to reshuffle the Cabinet.
It has become common wisdom that there are four senior posts in need of change. Alfred Nzo has failed to come anywhere near the formulation and articulation of clear foreign policy objectives. The all-important Education Ministry, under Sibusiso Bengu, has been painfully slow in bringing change to schools. The generals of the Defence Force still maintain their hold over the ministry, now led by Joe Modise.
Jay Naidoo’s difficulties are less a product of his own actions than the result of the original error of expecting him to manage the Reconstruction and Development Programme from outside the line-functions of delivery ministries. He deserves a real job which does not rely on organo-grams to explain what he does.
All of these are important and senior ministries. The malaise in each of them carries an impact across all sectors of government activity. It is not a question of whether these ministers should be retired, or moved, but when this should happen.
Ministers have had 16 months to show their mettle. Those who haven’t should be gracefully moved to other posts. Isn’t that why we have ambassadorships in small, peaceful countries?