Former President Thabo Mbeki has called on South Africans to work together to address the challenges facing the country. He is also encouraging a national dialogue after the 29 May elections to discuss issues including Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
He was speaking in Freedom Park, Pretoria, at a function to celebrate 30 years of democracy.
“Something must be done to address these challenges because we cannot allow them to continue to define our country. At the same time, our combined efforts must continue to focus on nation-building and social cohesion, including gender-based violence.”
Statistics show a disturbing trend where many women survivors of GBV still do not have access to justice.
The ANC was his political home from childhood and an organisation he served as a deployee of government.
Mbeki says, “This year I celebrate 68 years of membership of the ANC, having joined the ANC Youth League at 13 and a half in 1956.”
He worked with the first democratically elected president the late Nelson Mandela. He later became Mandela’s successor and served almost two terms.
Mbeki says in the first 15 years of the new dispensation, the government did what it could to build the economy and address the socio-economic conditions of the poor.
It was during his tenure, that the country saw the emergence of a black middle class. Currently, the country is experiencing challenges again.
Some of these were outlined in the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, appointed by former President Jacob Zuma.
Mbeki says the government must double its efforts to address these issues. He also said the earlier problems at SARS contributed to a reduction in resources, which was a factor in the government’s failure to address device delivery issues.
Former president Thabo Mbeki is addressing 30 years of democracy event at Freedom Park in Pretoria
