The discussion document greatly amused African National Congress members at the party’s recent provincial general council in Polokwane, causing a delegate to quip: ”That should rule out Thabo Mbeki along with Cyril Ramaphosa as well.”
According to the document there are no ”ready-made leaders … Leaders evolve out of battles for social transformation. In these battles, cadres will stumble and some will fall. But the abiding quality of leadership is to learn from mistakes, to appreciate one’s weaknesses and correct them.”
The one to vote for is someone who seeks to improve his capacity to serve the people, suggests the document. The ideal candidate ”should strive to be in touch with the people all the time, listen to their views and learn from them. He should be accessible and flexible; and not arrogate to himself the status of being the source of all wisdom.”
In selecting leaders, members have also been advised to take into account the candidates’ contribution to ”mobilisation of Africa and the world for focused attention on the needs of Africa and the poor across the globe”. — Jaspreet Kindra