Dr Mathews Phosa was a guest speaker at a diplomatic mission luncheon today where he addressed several issues surrounding the constitution, leadership, corruption and the father of our nation, Nelson Mandela. Here follows some extract from his speech:
On the constitution
• When Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng had finished his historical judgement in less than an hour he had become the embodiment of the supremacy of the Constitution.
• What we witnessed since this watershed moment in our Democracy, is consistent denial and attempts at explaining why the ruling of our highest Court is accepted, but does not have consequences for those affected. Some, sitting in exalted chairs, have dismissed the ruling as “advise” or as mere “guidelines”.
• By not acting on what has been exposed and clarified, we will be measured by our ability or inability to lead, and by our action or inaction to provide leadership and a moral compass when we were called upon to do so.
On the ANC
• We have seen the ANC’s leadership engage in power grabs, a disregard for the electorate and party structures, while the rule of law is being perverted. The Party is weakened by greed, corruption and a general lack of accountability, not to mention a sneaking culture of impunity. It is as if our leadership is blind to the fractures it is causing in the party, the liberation movement, and the country.
• Our ANC leadership, [claims] that they cannot do the right thing because it may be seen that the Party is buckling under pressure.
• We are a Constitutional Democracy, with sound principles and an electorate that will not stay dedicated to supporting the ruling party forever. For it to remain in power, it will have to be accountable to the electorate, dedicated to its structures and above all, morally sound. We must not wait for the masses to say to us – yes, you brought liberation but our stomachs are still empty – go away.
On leadership and corruption
• True leaders will not tolerate the corrupt or corruption, or, in its most recent and naked form, attempted state capture. True leaders will also not defend corrupt leaders.
• At the heart of almost all political conflicts is the question of democracy and modern methods of wielding power. Let us remember that wielding power over your fellow man is a privilege bestowed by the electorate in a gesture of trust, it is not a licence for unchecked corruption and greed, and can be reversed cruelly and swiftly at the ballot box.
On Nelson Mandela
• Madiba did not need crowds of supporters shouting, threatening and making noise to shore up his morality. His moral leadership was the guiding light of not only the ANC, but indeed the country and even the world. His leadership was absolute and his morality above reproach.
On Jacob Zuma