Madiba (late former president Nelson Mandela) would have been alarmed by the hate speech and polarisation taking place in South Africa today, according to Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom.
In his view, Madiba would most likely have appealed for tolerance.
Madiba appointed Hanekom as minister of agriculture and land affairs in 1994. From 1999 to 2004 Hanekom served as a member of Parliament before being appointed deputy minister of science and technology.
In 2012 he became minister of science and technology until becoming minister of tourism in 2014.
After filing a motion of no confidence in former President Jacob Zuma in November 2016, Hanekom was subsequently replaced as minister of tourism.
He remained in Parliament and in February 2018 – under President Cyril Ramaphosa – he was once again appointed as minister of tourism.
In Hanekom's view, Madiba would likely have been disappointed in "some things" that have happened in the ANC and in South Africa over the last few years.
"Madiba would have been disappointed by the corruption that has brought SA to where it is now. At the same time, he would have been happy that we are now dealing with corruption," Hanekom told Fin24 during a recent general interview on his life and career.
"Madiba would have appealed to the people of SA to stop being greedy and stop chasing money. He would have asked professional people – including in the private sector – to dedicate time to contribute to the country. He would have appealed for integrity and ethics."
In Hanekom's view, Madiba would also likely have appealed to government and the people of SA to work together to tackle poverty and inequality on every level.
"He would have wanted us to focus our minds on the huge social problems in the country, to deal with the developmental challenges and make a massive effort to deal with poverty," said Hanekom.
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