WHAT happens when Mandela goes? The concern underlying the question becomes even more acute when one considers his performance over the last week. As the president’s stature continues to grow, so does the likely vacuum when he finally and voluntarily bows out of the political arena.
Mandela is deserving only of praise for the way he has tackled the two major issues facing his administration: the Magnus Malan trial and Nigeria. His dramatic flight to George to see PW Botha was another demonstration of his fine sense of political theatre. The Groot Krokidil may be fit only to turn over on his sand bank, but he remains a potent symbol for those who identify with the past.
Mandela adroitly made use of the platform to take a stand on principle where the division of powers and the independence of the judiciary were concerned. His riposte to Botha’s warning as to the potential wrath of the Afrikaner (beware the wrath of the majority) was telling. Botha characterised his “people” as a tiger; Mandela made clear who was the ringmaster.
The president is also to be applauded for his approach to Nigeria – going straight for the oil-jugular. His summons to Shell executives was a joy to behold. For too long the multinationals have shared the prerogative of the whore where global responsibility is concerned. Whether he can overcome the vested interests on which multi-nationals trade is doubtful, but he can only be admired for trying. He has done much to make up for the debacle inflicted on him at the Commonwealth meeting by his multitude of foreign ministers.
It is, however, the lingering memory of that debacle which raises some unease that Mandela may be neglecting what is perhaps his highest duty: the creation of a political leadership and tradition of good government capable of filling the vacuum when he goes. Ministerial appointments made in some haste after the elections cannot be fixed in aspic, much less cast in stone; is it not time he set ministerial limbs a-dancing to that fine old air, the Cabinet Shuffle? And is he facing up to the question of the succession? Nigeria has put another question mark against Thabo Mbeki. Is it not time Cyril Ramaphosa was put to the test of ministerial responsibility?