HEADLINE:   Mbeki-Leon spat    

PUBLICATION: Mercury  

PAGE NUMBER: 11

AUTHOR:     Zubeida Jaffer

DATE:       2000-08-24 12:21:01

Mbeki-Leon spat must be resolved

Whether they wish to acknowledge it or not, their

 behaviour provides a marker for millions, writes Zubeida Jaffer

THE recent spat between President Mbeki and Mr Tony Leon has brought a certain unease. It is not as insignificant as some would have us believe. 

It tells a story of unfolding relations between the two major political parties most influential in determining our future

 course. The two parties unfortunately represent the broad racial divide.

The ANC in the main represents a black constituency; the DP a white constituency. And it is this broad divide which has plagued us for so long that once again will be under the spotlight at next week's Racism Conference. The ebb and flow of racial tension can be expected to be a prominent feature of our national life. 

Time and time again, it demands careful navigation. We are once more poised at a moment which calls for true leadership. 

Discussions at the broad level of principle will add little value to the national discourse. The principles of non-racialism in public life are spelt out in the constitution and bind us all. 

There is nothing to be debated. Fancy theories about why racism exists will provide some with an interesting intellectual exercise next week, but will not take us further. 

The challenge lies instead in how to give practical expression to the principles which we all have agreed upon. For this reason, the Mbeki-Leon exchange is important. Whether they wish to acknowledge it or not, their 

behaviour provides a marker for millions. If they are disparaging towards each other, they send out a strong message that this is an acceptable way of doing business. Mr Leon has led the way in designing this hostile relationship. 

He has continuously heaped blame on the ANC government, on Mr Mbeki and his ministers.

There is a widespread perception that he is insensitive to the feelings of black South Africans. That clever phrases, insensitive to black concerns, trip too easily off the tongue. Mr Leon's criticism that Mr Mbeki was prepared to flout scientific facts about Aids in favour of "snake-oil cures and quackery" touched a raw nerve. 

Although he has been at pains to explain that he was referring specifically to the government's touting of the discredited Virodene, the damage has been done. 

Words somehow have the power of doing that. They fall heavily on the human psyche. So have Mr Mbeki's. 

His oblique reference to the "white politician" as often as six times during the delivery of the Oliver Tambo Memorial lecture has done most to fuel the sense of unease.

It somehow represents a shift away from the enormous generosity so consistently displayed by those who had for long been dispossessed. 

Somehow it is expected that Mr Leon, as opposition leader, would be petty. There is a sneering lack of acknowledgement that black leaders have done in just six years what no white leader could do in centuries - and that is to craft South Africa into a united democratic country based on solid constitutional principles. But it is not expected of Mr Mbeki because he is heir to a great tradition of leaders who rose above the personal. 

The miracle of a racial truce came in South Africa because of their consistent commitment to the policy of non-racialism. 

The generation nurtured by Mr Luthuli, Mr Tambo and Mr Mandela was taught it was not fighting white people but fighting a system of white domination.

This constant education together with the ANC strategy of building a broad inclusive church was what made the South African miracle.

The approach was always to reach out and to bring as many together as possible in pursuit of the common goal. 

Now, more than ever, that approach, affirmed by history, is needed to shift us into the next gear.

Mr Mbeki should remember that there are millions of South Africans rooting for him. Millions who believe he will succeed. That is why they voted for him. He should not be overly sensitive about a small section of society which constantly suggests that he will not. 

His anger suggests a defensiveness which does not become him and is uncharacteristic. He has won an election resoundingly. He has successfully navigated the transition from the Mandela era. He has, most of all, to acclaim, put in place sound economic fundamentals in this country. 

And he is known to be the one who brokered the most difficult deals - with the right wing and in KwaZulu-Natal - which have assured peace. 

He can afford to be generous with those who continue to be mean-spirited. The public should demand that both men bring to national life a measure of civility which could relieve the present unease. Once again, the weight rests more heavily on Mr Mbeki. 

He is the only one who can channel the age-old anger from different sides of the racial divide towards a constructive engagement, which could lead to greater harmony. Unlike Mr Leon, he is leader of his party, of government and of the state, which obliges him constitutionally to "promote the unity of the nation". 

The constitution does not let Mr Leon off the hook either. He is bound by the preamble to "heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights".

They should forego this feuding in the interest of all. What a great moment it would be if Mr Mbeki institutionalised regular meetings with Mr Leon and Mr Leon ceased to behave as petulantly as he has up until now. 

In the end, South Africans, having endured prolonged tension, could well do with a breather. 

They do not need to become embroiled in fights with their compatriots. Instead, both white and black must be conscious of how they behave towards one another so that the huge tasks of poverty-alleviation, crime-fighting and job-creation can be foremost in everybody's minds. Mr Mbeki has an obligation to lead in the tradition of those who have gone before him.