THE detractors of former President Thabo Mbeki have always accused him of being intolerant to dissent and opposition, but they have failed to prove there was indeed anyone with a different point of view to his. The majority of recent recalls and redeployments seen so far have not helped us see the difference.

In certain quarters those who have held different views have lost their positions of deployment whilst in others certain token appointments have been reluctantly retained to project some artificial unity. They can’t paint a false picture of unity.

If things were to go along the lines of the wishes of the custodians of power, a clean sweep would be the most preferable route. I’ve yet to hear of one who governs and leads willingly and happily with some from a different “leadership template”.

Where these exist they must be reported on in such a way that they enrich our debates and inform those like me.

We were taught in the ANC that leadership change is not about changing faces, but the mandate and direction, and leaders would be assessed more on their equality to the tasks of the mandate and direction than on their appeal. I’m not sure if this is still relevant anymore.

This is more the case with public office-bearers in government. Today it seems holding public office without the cushion of being in the front ranks of the dominant faction is unimaginably risky, if not impossible.

I hope my views are wrong and can easily be disproved, but if they can be perceived to be correct I fear for the worst. – Lulama Lancelot Taleni, East London