Former state president Thabo Mbeki says South Africans forgot that they were African when they criticised him of being more concerned about issues in the African continent rather than domestic issues.
Mbeki was speaking at Mhlahlane Village in Willowvale yesterday at a ceremony held on behalf of South African Defence Force Lieutenant-General Derrick Mgwebi, who was appointed to commander of the United Nations’ Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Monusco) late last year.
Mbeki came under fire for spending too much time out of the country during his term as president.
“But people had forgotten that we are African – and the interpretation of home is not South Africa, but the continent. So it means that I was more concerned on the issues of our home (Africa),” he said. He said the problems of Congo were the problems of South Africa.
AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu and the House of Phalo and of AmaTshawe dynasty hosted the celebration on behalf of Mgwebi.
Speaking about Mgwebi, Mbeki said: “I am proud of General Mgwebi and at the same time feel pity for him for the big task lying ahead – of solving complex and complicated matters in the the DRC.
“We know that we have sent a true African to solve the problems of the African continent in an African way. I am sure he will succeed.”
Concluding his speech, Mbeki said Congo was “at the heart” of the future of Africa. “If Congo fails, the continent will not succeed. Congo is important to the future of the continent,” Mbeki said.
Mbeki received a standing ovation from the thousands who filled the marquee, including government ministers, MECs, military generals, king and queens, traditional leaders, business people and villagers.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, said it was the first time in history that a general from Africa had been appointed as a commander of UN forces.
Mapisa-Nqakula said Mgwebi was not a “puppet general” but a visionary and strategist.
“His appointment is long overdue. He was to be appointed in 2013 but they mysteriously decided to appoint someone else.”
Military Ombudsman General Themba Matanzima spoke on the role played by Mgwebi in fighting fraud and corruption in the Transkei and his role in the military coup against then-Transkei Prime Minister George Matanzima.
Matanzima also said Mgwebi played a vital role in creating relationships between the Transkei Defence Force and Umkhonto weSizwe and amalgamation of military forces in South Africa.
The event was also attended by AmaRharhabe Regent-Queen Noloyiso Sandile, Western Mpondoland King Ndamase Ndamase and other dignitaries. —
We’re African, says Mbeki
Mbeki was speaking at Mhlahlane Village in Willowvale yesterday at a ceremony held on behalf of South African Defence Force Lieutenant-General Derrick Mgwebi, who was appointed to commander of the United Nations’ Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Monusco) late last year.
Mbeki came under fire for spending too much time out of the country during his term as president.
“But people had forgotten that we are African – and the interpretation of home is not South Africa, but the continent. So it means that I was more concerned on the issues of our home (Africa),” he said. He said the problems of Congo were the problems of South Africa.
AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu and the House of Phalo and of AmaTshawe dynasty hosted the celebration on behalf of Mgwebi.
Speaking about Mgwebi, Mbeki said: “I am proud of General Mgwebi and at the same time feel pity for him for the big task lying ahead – of solving complex and complicated matters in the the DRC.
“We know that we have sent a true African to solve the problems of the African continent in an African way. I am sure he will succeed.”
Concluding his speech, Mbeki said Congo was “at the heart” of the future of Africa. “If Congo fails, the continent will not succeed. Congo is important to the future of the continent,” Mbeki said.
Mbeki received a standing ovation from the thousands who filled the marquee, including government ministers, MECs, military generals, king and queens, traditional leaders, business people and villagers.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, said it was the first time in history that a general from Africa had been appointed as a commander of UN forces.
Mapisa-Nqakula said Mgwebi was not a “puppet general” but a visionary and strategist.
“His appointment is long overdue. He was to be appointed in 2013 but they mysteriously decided to appoint someone else.”
Military Ombudsman General Themba Matanzima spoke on the role played by Mgwebi in fighting fraud and corruption in the Transkei and his role in the military coup against then-Transkei Prime Minister George Matanzima.
Matanzima also said Mgwebi played a vital role in creating relationships between the Transkei Defence Force and Umkhonto weSizwe and amalgamation of military forces in South Africa.
The event was also attended by AmaRharhabe Regent-Queen Noloyiso Sandile, Western Mpondoland King Ndamase Ndamase and other dignitaries. —
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