Vignette. African renaissance [000M]
Reference. Thabo Mbeki and the battle for the soul of the ANC [gumede2007]
p 257: ‘The ANC’s left wing simply dismisses the concept as a diversion from the real problems facing South Africa. At a meeting of the SACP’s central executive committee, deputy general secretary Jeremy Cronin slammed the concept as being an escapist ploy to avoid dealing with the hard issues of poverty and unemployment. Essop Pahad, Mbeki’s soul mate and minister in the presidency, was incensed. “How can the [SACP] have a discussion on the African Renaissance without coming to me first?” he demanded. “I am the minister in charge of the African Renaissance in the Office of the President.”
‘Cronin sent Pahad a note asking: ‘Did the Italian renaissance have someone in charge? Which of the two obvious personalities was charged with that responsibility? Was it Leonardo or Machiavelli? Which one do you thin you are?’