Mbeki snubs ANC election launch

2009-01-08 14:28

Verashni Pillay

Johannesburg - Former president Thabo Mbeki has snubbed the ANC's election manifesto launch in East London on Saturday, while media reports of Nelson Mandela's lack of support have proved false.

"We do have Mr Mandela's message of support," ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte told News24. "It will be a read message signed by him."

Chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Achmat Dangor, had earlier said the matter was "under discussion", prompting speculation that the former president would snub the gathering.

But Dangor told News24 on Thursday that the Foundation was discussing whether to do a video or written message.

"There's [been] a lot of interpretation," he said.

Duarte said all NEC members, including Mbeki, were invited to the celebration, which also marks the ANC's 97th anniversary celebrations, at East London's Absa Stadium.

'Regrettably' not attending

But Mbeki's spokesperson, Mukoni Ratshitanga, said the recalled former head of state would "regrettably" not attend.

"I didn't ask the reason but what I do know is that he's spending every moment to realise the fruition of the Thabo Mbeki Africa Leadership Institute," he said of the Unisa-based institute, which aims to implement continent-wide policies for peace and human rights

Mbeki wrote to ANC president Jacob Zuma in October asking that the party not use his name in its election campaign.

Meanwhile Duarte slammed media interest in the matter, calling questions related to Mbeki's attendance "mischievous".

"There's no story here for us, we don't understand where this came from," she said. "It's a gathering of people who are interested in ANC membership so we are not focusing on any one individual."

But a senior ANC official told the Daily Dispatch that Mbeki's absence would be "a blessing for the party".

"Even if he comes, what is he going to say or add to our programme? He has refused to campaign for the movement and I don't think we really miss him."

- News24