Thabo Mbeki, South Africa’s former president, has raised serious concerns about the country’s current method of electing its head of state. Speaking at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, Mbeki described the system as “wrong” and inadequate for producing capable national leadership.
‘They Never Asked if I Was Fit to Lead’
Delivering the keynote at the launch of the Eastern Cape National Dialogue for higher education, Thabo Mbeki criticised the indirect electoral system. In South Africa, the president is elected by Parliament rather than through a direct public vote.
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Mbeki recalled his own experience:
“When Parliament said I must become president, they did not have a clue what I was capable of doing, and they never asked.”
He questioned the absence of vetting processes to determine if candidates are competent, fit, and prepared to serve.
Thabo Mbeki Calls for Electoral Reform in South Africa
Thabo Mbeki’s criticism is part of a broader call for structural political reform. He urged academics, civic leaders, and South Africans to rethink how leadership is chosen.
“One of the things they must say in the National Dialogue, the intelligentsia, we have to change the manner in which we choose our president.”
He emphasised that democracy must ensure accountability and competence at the highest level.
A Nation in Crisis
Thabo Mbeki linked his concerns to South Africa’s broader challenges. He warned that the country faces a “whole bundle of crises”.
“The economy is in crisis. Politics is in crisis. We have a crime and corruption crisis. Even our relations with the rest of the continent are in crisis.”
He described widespread civic disengagement and despondency as dangerous to the future of the nation.
National Dialogue: A Path Forward
To address these issues, Mbeki is spearheading a National Dialogue. The initiative seeks to gather input from civil society, universities, and traditional sectors to develop practical solutions.
He believes that answers should not come from political parties alone:
“Answers can only come from the people, not political parties.”
The dialogue aims to foster public trust and restore legitimacy to democratic institutions.
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Higher Education Must Lead the Change
Mbeki called on South Africa’s universities and intellectuals to help shape the country’s political future. He challenged them to do more than criticise from the sidelines.
“You are the only body that can legitimately say: ‘We are the thought leaders.’ The politicians are not thought leaders.”
He stressed the importance of translating national visions, like the National Development Plan, into actionable programmes.
Direct Presidential Elections: A Public Debate?
Mbeki’s comments may reignite debate over the possibility of direct presidential elections in South Africa. While the Constitution currently mandates parliamentary selection, critics argue this method lacks transparency and accountability.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and legal scholars have previously noted the need for greater public participation in leadership selection.
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A Call for Competent Leadership
Thabo Mbeki has reignited a crucial conversation about how South Africa elects its president. By challenging the status quo, he invites the nation to rethink what leadership should look like in a maturing democracy.
With the country facing multiple crises, reforming the presidential election system may be a step toward restoring confidence, accountability, and real democracy.
