African National Congress (ANC) President Thabo Mbeki stated that the party must prioritize renewal and address the concerns raised by South Africans. In an exclusive interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Mbeki emphasized the importance of engaging with the public to address their grievances, especially after the general elections.
Mbeki mentioned ANC stalwart Gertrude Shope as an example. Shope is celebrating her 99th birthday today. Mbeki praised Shope as an outstanding leader. He emphasized the need for the movement to communicate that they are addressing the negative consequences. According to Mbeki, the negative message from the last elections indicates that they need to respond to people’s complaints in an honest and serious manner. He believes that this can and must be done.
Mbeki challenged women to emulate leaders such as Shope. He says Shope was an activist and a principled leader who wanted to see the emancipation of women.
Mbeki has sent well wishes to the former ANC Women’s League President. “Attachment to principle and activism to act, to bring about the change you need. So, Aunty Shope, I don’t think you will hear many people shouting about her. It is because she was not a media person. She was not a seeker of lights but the great doer in terms of very moral people, in terms of what needed to be done to change the conditions of people as a whole, particularly of women.”
