The African National Congress (ANC) has suggested that former president Thabo Mbeki is struggling to accept his diminished role in leadership after he boycotted Friday’s National Dialogue convention.
Mbeki, a key advocate for the National Dialogue initiative, refused to attend, calling the process rushed and exclusionary toward grassroots leadership. The event, held at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria, aimed to foster national discussions on pressing issues.
ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe addressed Mbeki’s absence, stating, “One of the most important things in leadership is knowing when to step back for new leaders. If you don’t, it creates confusion. This convention isn’t about us—it’s about South Africans engaging with each other.”
[WATCH] “One of the things that are in important when you’re in leadership is to let go when there’s a new leader,” Gwede Mantashe, ANC National Chairperson on the decision by former state President Thabo Mbeki, to boycott today’s event. TCG pic.twitter.com/hAOnZRJNOa
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 15, 2025
Meanwhile, United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa urged inclusivity, saying the dialogue should remain open to those who initially stayed away. “We will still reach out to all sectors, including those leading foundations. I hope President Mbeki, with his experience and institutional memory, may reconsider once he sees this is truly for all South Africans,” Holomisa said.
The ANC’s remarks highlight tensions within the party as it navigates transitions in leadership and public engagement. Mbeki’s boycott raises questions about the inclusivity and effectiveness of the National Dialogue process.