By Chief ZMD Mandela, Member of the Pan African Parliament (PAP)
Tuesday 8th May 2018: We call on the Pan African Parliament to utilise the upcoming presidential election to demonstrate unity and democracy in action.
This election presents an opportunity to provide new leadership on a rotational basis as best practice in a healthy democratic system. To date the Presidency of PAP has not been held by the Northern and Southern regions. Current president Roger Nkodo Dang (2015-2018) is running again as a representative for Central Africa. His predecessors:
Nnaemeka Amadi (2012-2015) West Africa. Ndele Moussa (2009-2012) Central Africa. Gertrude Mongella (2004-2008) East Africa. Central Africa has thus had the presidency twice.
If the current president runs again, it would mean three times should he win. We believe that this is not in accordance with the principle of rotational leadership.
We call on Central Africa and the other regions who have already served the PAP Presidency to withdraw and give a chance to candidates from the North and South.
President Mandela showed us an outstanding example by only serving one term as President of South Africa thus allowing generational succession and an opportunity for others to build on his proud legacy and bring in new ideas and fresh vision.
There are too many examples in Africa of leaders hanging onto power and in some cases descending into despotic rule and virtual dictatorship. This can never be construed as a healthy and strong basis for building a continent representing the dreams and aspirations of all its people.
We cannot afford to embrace such values as it undermines democracy and defies good governance best practice of rotational leadership.
We reiterate our call for the PAP presidency to follow in Madiba’s footsteps and step down and allow the rotational principle to reign.
Let us build a strong and healthy Pan African Parliament in which all regions are afforded the opportunity to lead.
Chief ZMD Mandela
Royal House of Mandela
Mvezo Komkhulu
P.O. Box 126
Viedgesville, 5102
Eastern Cape Province
South Africa
Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela, chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and grandson of famed South African President Nelson Mandela. Member of Parliament (MP) South Africa National Assembly. All articles by Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela
