After leaving the Union Buildings in 2009, President Thabo Mbeki is likely to continue his peace-building efforts in Africa through a foundation set up for the purpose.
According to Smuts Ngonyama, Mbeki’s aide, the president is considering numerous options on how to spend his time after 2009.
”There are lots of calls for his continued contribution. The calls come from everywhere, across the colour line and age groups. Individuals are coming up with different propositions to make sure the legacy of Mbeki is not lost to South Africa.”
Two sources close to Mbeki say the option of establishing a foundation that deals with conflict resolution is currently the front-runner.
Ngonyama and some of Mbeki’s close allies are expected to play a role in the foundation, which is likely to undertake similar initiatives to those started by other former presidents, such as Jimmy Carter.
The foundation might be linked to a university and funding may be sourced from local business people.
”Funding will not be a problem, business will support such a venture. It will all depend on who is part of the team and what the focus of the initiative will be.”
The Mail & Guardian was told last week that a group of Cabinet ministers gathered a few years ago to discuss what Mbeki will do when he steps down. At the time there were concerns about his pension package which they felt was insufficient.
”The idea was also raised that Mbeki should be used in Africa as a ‘wise statesman’ through a trust of sorts,” a source said. ”There is a need for negotiations and bargaining as well as networking in and between countries. He could be useful in that role.”
The envisaged foundation would not be a charity organisation and would draw on Mbeki’s extensive experience in conflict resolution in Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mbeki wants to ensure that his initiative does not resemble the foundation of his predecessor, Nelson Mandela. ”He doesn’t want to seem as if he is following Mandela, he wants to do his own thing, what will suit him better.”
Currently the Thabo Mbeki Education Trust rewards learners who achieve academic excellence in their matriculation examinations.
Ngonyama said that Mbeki had been asked to make himself available to various local academic institutions to share his knowledge about leadership and development. ”He’s been saying that the people of South Africa have invested so much in him he wants to plough back, especially with regard to knowledge building.”
His work aims to advance his vision of an African renaissance.
Mbeki had not been approached by international multilateral organisations such as the African Union or United Nations, said Ngonyama. He would ”definitely” remain in South Africa once he has concluded his presidential term.
Another close ally of Mbeki told the M&G it would be difficult for Mbeki to keep himself busy if he had no role to play in the ANC.
”It is, however, not entirely in his own hands, it will depend on whether the government or the ANC gives him something.”
Mbeki suffered a bruising defeat at his party’s elective conference in Polokwane in December, where ANC members overwhelmingly voted in favour of change in the form of ANC president and corruption suspect Jacob Zuma.
Some of Mbeki’s aides have told the M&G they have avoided raising the issue of Mbeki’s post-2009 plans with him because of the wounds left by his Polokwane defeat.
Another option that is being touted is for Mbeki to be involved in science and technology, one of his passions.
Mbeki has a philosophical take on what his legacy should be. ”The president wants to be remembered as someone who served his people without malice or self-centredness. He wants people to say he made a contribution to society.”
According to Ngonyama, Mbeki is expected to make an announcement soon about his future plans.