Kameraad Mhambi

Image via Wikipedia

To accuse an African of not having courage is not nice.

A few weeks ago an outraged Thabo Mbeki leaked a letter by him to Morgan Tsvangarai, the leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition MDC:

“Because we do not agree with you on a small matter, you choose to describe us in a manner that is most offensive in terms of African culture, and therefore offend our sense of dignity as Africans…”

In the early 80′s the ANC had an office in Zimbabwe. And so had their rivals for the affections of black South Africa, the Pan Africanist Congress.

The ANC office was run by Thabo Mbeki.

It was no cushy deployment. Mbeki’s position was precarious. The ANC openly supported Joshua Nkomo’s ZAPU, Mugabe’s ZANU’s rivals. ZAPU – like the ANC – were supported by the USSR.

But Robert Mugabe’s much larger ZANU which was backed – like the PAC – by the Chinese, was ruthless and gaining the ascendancy in Zimbabwe.

Chris Hani had launched a military campaign against South Africa (the only significant one ever atempted) from ZAPU controlled areas in Zimbabwe supported by ZAPU arms and logistics.

The campaign was a dismal failure, but it demonstrated the close ties between the two movements.

But Mugabe was systematically sideling ZAPU with a mixture of co-option and coercion. As his ZANU increased in strength the pro-ZAPU ANC’s position – and Mbeki’s – became more and more problematic.

It also became clear to the ANC and Mbeki in Harare that ZAPU was being persecuted by Mugabe’s ZANU. But what to do?

Page 9: Thabo Mbeki’s letter to Morgan Tsvangirai – 22 November 2008, originally uploaded by Sokwanele – Zimbabwe.

Cosy up to Mugabe was the answer.

This strategy was both conceptualised and made work by Thabo Mbeki. Not only did Mbeki make the ANC turn its back on ZAPU, it ignored the abuses and killings that were common place up until the mid 80′s.

Thousands of Matabele’s (from whom ZAPU had the bulk of its support) were massacred, as Nkomo himself was forced into a unity government and then sidelined. And it is clear the ANC was aware of what was going on. Is their any evidence that Mbeki raised any concerns about the slaughter? None.

These events must be in the back of the mind of Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC today. He has agreed to join a government of National Unity with Mugabe under considerable pressure of other Southern African leaders of SADC.

To be weary of an agreement of power sharing with Mugabe is more than sensible. I doubt his political acumen, but it’s clear Tsvangirai has courage. The same can not be said of other luminaries of the SADC.

Related deployments:

1. South African police accused of gross abuse of power
2. Graça Machel – Southern Africa does have leaders of courage
3. A beer with Gavin Evans (part 4 – recruitment into the ANC)
4. There’s none so blind as those that won’t see
5. Kgalema Motlanthe’s elevation signal divided coalition against Mbeki