The Times website reported last night that President Thabo Mbeki had failed to attend the first ANC (National Executive Committee) meeting on Monday 7th January 2008. Here's the banner headline:
Other media seem to have missed this little happening or have glossed over it. If the report is correct - which, given the ANC spokesperson's response, it would appear to be - this is a VERY sinister move.
If there was some real, emergency reason why Mbeki couldn't attend, understood. If he knew in advance that he couldn't attend, why was it not announced? Or is this just a petulant Prez making a point? If so, the battle lines have been drawn - demonstrating a lack of statesmanship and emotional intelligence if not underpinned by a very, very good reason and explanation. Let's wait'n see...
UPDATE
Media 24 have just reported that it was known a week ago that Mbeki and Joel Netshitenze would not be attending. How's that for a crappy bit of media liaison? When the eyes of the international community are on you, waiting to see how you're gonna behave, you behave proactively. Don't do things like this and encourage speculation about rifts and the like. That's a failure for both camps. Onion to both. Talk about amateur night at the opera...
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