Posted: The Chronicle Monday, May 11, 2009
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
On the day of his inauguration, as President of South-Africa, former President Jerry John Rawlings had a word of advice for Jacob Zuma.
He asked him to take over the ideals and leadership style of former President Nelson Mandela, the man who salvaged South Africa from the jaws of the apartheid regime.
In a statement to coincide with the inauguration of Zuma this past Saturday, Rawlings stressed on the need for all South Africans, with Zuma’s inclusion, to uphold the humility, strength of character, and the virtues of Nelson Mandela.
Rawlings noted that Zuma faces a huge challenge, as he takes over the mantle of leadership at a time when the world’s economy was in a shambles, stressing that the entire region look up to South Africa for leadership.
He advised Zuma to: “select people who have the quality, capacity, and patriotism required to lead, when appointing your ministers and aides. It is also important that you sow seeds of true unity, as you start your tenure.”
The former President, who led Ghana’s delegation to the inaugural activities, which took place in Pretoria, congratulated Zuma on his election as President.
Considering the unique infrastructural and technological development of the country, JJ was convinced that South Africa was in a unique position to economically and politically set the tone for the rest of the continent, and urged all South Africans not to allow political pettiness to derail it.
Rawlings said it was positive to see democracy take root in South Africa, with new parties cropping up, and minority parties being strengthened.
While it was beautiful to see citizens taking diverse positions in the name of democracy, he said it was imperative that maturity and diplomacy, rather than confrontation and intolerance, are employed in managing such diversity.
”The years of apartheid that saw the sacrifices of Mandela, Biko, Kathrada, Tutu and the thousands of your kith and kin, cannot be allowed to whittle away, due to the dislike of one person or the other,” he cautioned.
The former President was full of praise for Nelson Mandela, who at the age of 90 still takes an active interest in the political affairs of his country, and has continued to provide inspiration to his party, the African National Congress (ANC), and millions of South Africans and others worldwide.
“Mandela is the epitome of resilience, humility, reconciliation and unity. South Africans owe their political stability to this man, who sacrificed 27 years of his life behind bars to ensure that apartheid was eradicated. He held the bitterness of his people in check, and ensured that there was no retribution, when apartheid ended.
“This true patriot of South Africa should always be the inspiration behind each South African. The world is watching as the Zuma era takes off, and I hope the ideals of Mandela will continue to inspire his leadership.”
Rawlings also advised the new government of South Africa to take stock of the true state of democracy in the country, and to make adjustments where necessary, to strengthen its young and vibrant democracy even further.
Zuma, 67, was elected as President on April 22, in a landmark election, which saw a breakaway faction of the ANC, COPE also contest.
He asked him to take over the ideals and leadership style of former President Nelson Mandela, the man who salvaged South Africa from the jaws of the apartheid regime.
In a statement to coincide with the inauguration of Zuma this past Saturday, Rawlings stressed on the need for all South Africans, with Zuma’s inclusion, to uphold the humility, strength of character, and the virtues of Nelson Mandela.
Rawlings noted that Zuma faces a huge challenge, as he takes over the mantle of leadership at a time when the world’s economy was in a shambles, stressing that the entire region look up to South Africa for leadership.
He advised Zuma to: “select people who have the quality, capacity, and patriotism required to lead, when appointing your ministers and aides. It is also important that you sow seeds of true unity, as you start your tenure.”
The former President, who led Ghana’s delegation to the inaugural activities, which took place in Pretoria, congratulated Zuma on his election as President.
Considering the unique infrastructural and technological development of the country, JJ was convinced that South Africa was in a unique position to economically and politically set the tone for the rest of the continent, and urged all South Africans not to allow political pettiness to derail it.
Rawlings said it was positive to see democracy take root in South Africa, with new parties cropping up, and minority parties being strengthened.
While it was beautiful to see citizens taking diverse positions in the name of democracy, he said it was imperative that maturity and diplomacy, rather than confrontation and intolerance, are employed in managing such diversity.
”The years of apartheid that saw the sacrifices of Mandela, Biko, Kathrada, Tutu and the thousands of your kith and kin, cannot be allowed to whittle away, due to the dislike of one person or the other,” he cautioned.
The former President was full of praise for Nelson Mandela, who at the age of 90 still takes an active interest in the political affairs of his country, and has continued to provide inspiration to his party, the African National Congress (ANC), and millions of South Africans and others worldwide.
“Mandela is the epitome of resilience, humility, reconciliation and unity. South Africans owe their political stability to this man, who sacrificed 27 years of his life behind bars to ensure that apartheid was eradicated. He held the bitterness of his people in check, and ensured that there was no retribution, when apartheid ended.
“This true patriot of South Africa should always be the inspiration behind each South African. The world is watching as the Zuma era takes off, and I hope the ideals of Mandela will continue to inspire his leadership.”
Rawlings also advised the new government of South Africa to take stock of the true state of democracy in the country, and to make adjustments where necessary, to strengthen its young and vibrant democracy even further.
Zuma, 67, was elected as President on April 22, in a landmark election, which saw a breakaway faction of the ANC, COPE also contest.