Mbeki mum about third term

2004-02-06 14:56

Donwald Pressly

Cape Town - President Thabo Mbeki, under pressure publicly to declare that he would not go for an unconstitutional third term of office as head of state, appeared to poke fun at doomsday merchants in his opening of Parliament speech on Friday.

In his State of the Nation speech, Mbeki said: "I notice that the traditional doomsayers are back at their favourite sport of trying to frighten us with scarecrows.

"They are painting monstrous pictures of impending violence during the forthcoming elections and radical constitutional amendments after the elections, by the very people who drafted this constitution."

One of the concerns raised by opposition parties is that the ruling African National Congress will use a two-thirds majority in parliament - which has already been achieved during last year's defection period - to change the constitution.

At present the constitution limits the presidency - and the provincial premiers - to two terms of office.

Mbeki said: "The masses of our people sacrificed everything to achieve peace and democracy for all of us. These masses will not allow that desperate politicians do desperate things to win or retain power for themselves."

Mbeki, who has served one term and is widely expected to serve another, is scheduled to announce an election date next Wednesday February 11.

In reference to the elections, he said: "In a few months time, we will return to these chambers (parliament) to inaugurate our third democracy parliament. Whoever will be President then will deliver yet another State of the Nation Address."

The assembled crowd - which included former President Nelson Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel, the former first lady of both South Africa and Mozambique - chuckled at these words.

- I-Net Bridge (News24)