Letter to party leaders

| Friday January 27, 2012 00:00

We took the step of meeting you because we believe that our country stands at the crossroads.  Our political differences and affiliations are important to our different histories and identities, however these matter less than what is at stake for our survival as a nation.  It would therefore be poor stewardship to squander this God-given moment by allowing our differences to kill the umbrella project, and our ability and broad commitment to work together.

For the way forward we propose the following:It is clear that, as is common in any political process, there is a lot of mistrust, hurt and disappointment between the parties, especially the BMD and the BCP.  The hurling of insults and abuse at each other in the political rallies, social media, newspapers and radio is self-destructive.  We need to find ways of restraining ourselves and refrain from so doing for the sake of what we are aiming to achieve here.  So we urge you as leaders to issue a joint press statement declaring a joint commitment to refrain from vilifying each other and calling on your members to stop the name-calling and destructive accusations.  We offer ourselves to assist with any kind of mediation or healing process that may be required along the way.  We were glad that all of you are agreed in principle to returning to the negotiating table.  In our conversations we have garnered that: 

Duma Boko has consulted his Central Committee and has their full backing to return to the talks. Gomolemo Motswaledi is committed to the talks and has called a special congress on the 4th February to consult and consolidate this position.

Dumelang Saleshando is not averse to returning to the talks but needs sometime to consult his structures and leadership.Although we were not able to meet in person with Mr. Motlatsi Molapise he has nevertheless committed to 'returning to the talks unconditionally.'

We advise that the leadership forum be convened sometime soon with the view to agreeing on the resumption of the talks.  This meeting could be convened by the facilitators, and if deemed necessary, a few 'friends of the talks' could be invited to enrich the conversation. 

We wish to encourage for goodwill and generosity of spirit in the negotiating process.  We have to find a way of holding in creative tandem the incumbency concept with the reality that some people, from the older parties, would have been toiling away to make the particular constituencies winnable.  A delicate 'give and take process' is required in order to avoid alienating people who have worked hard over time in service of the agenda of the opposition.  There has to be assurances for those persons who may not necessarily be included in the parliamentary leadership but nevertheless need to be part of the governing team following the elections.  

It is important to hold a Codesa type of workshop/consultation for the leadership and the negotiators, which could be facilitated with the help of external resource people.  This would allow for the consolidation of the gains that have been achieved thus far; policy manifesto of the umbrella, settling the allocation of constituencies, other strategic leadership following victory in 2014, how to settle the leadership question and the roadmap to 2014. 

We are grateful for the leadership of the facilitating team and offered to support them in whatever way necessary.  We also encourage them to draw on other people who could be of assistance by bringing other skills into the process.  These processes need to be done soon so that there would be adequate time for an educational process on the concept of the umbrella, as well as campaigning for the next general elections. In solidarity,

Rt. Rev. Dr Cosmos Moenga<br>Rev. Dr. Prince Dibeela