Careerism and Self-interest Are Killing the Culture of the ANC – Mbeki

FORMER ANC president Thabo Mbeki said on Monday that it was impossible to renew the governing party amid high levels of opportunism and self-serving careerism.

Mbeki, who was addressing the ANC Eastern Cape’s three-day extended provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting in East London, said former ANC president Nelson Mandela raised concerns about careerism way back in 1997.

He said two decades later, the ANC has not been able to deal with the issue of careerism in a satisfactory manner.

At the Mafikeng Elective Conference, Mandela warned the ANC about ‘mercenaries’ and ‘staff riders’ who would align with the movement for personal gain.

“When we say renewal, can you renew the ANC with those careerists in our midst? The answer is no,” Mbeki said.

“If you have Thabo Mbeki as a careerist, how do you get rid of him?”