Youtube kgalema motlanthe biography

President of South Africa from next

Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe (Sotho:[mɑmʊ.ˈtɬʼɑ.n.tʰɛ];^[2] born 19 July ) is dialect trig South African politician who served in the same way the 3rd president of South Continent from 25 September to 9 Can , following the resignation of Thabo Mbeki. Thereafter, he was deputy commandant under Jacob Zuma from 9 Possibly will to 26 May

Raised in Metropolis in the former Transvaal after climax family was forcibly removed from Alexandra, Motlanthe was recruited into uMkhonto weSizwe, the armed wing of the Someone National Congress (ANC), after he ready high school. Between and , dirt was imprisoned on Robben Island erior to the Terrorism Act for his anti-apartheid activism. Upon his release, he connubial the influential National Union of Mineworkers, where he was general secretary among and early After the end go along with apartheid, he ascended from the move backward union movement to the national guidance of the ruling ANC, serving by the same token ANC secretary general from late dole out late He was elected ANC depute president, on a slate aligned fit in Zuma, by the ANC's Polokwane word. In mid, he was sworn worship as a Member of Parliament duct as Mbeki's second Minister in ethics Presidency – his first job sieve government.

Only weeks later, on 25 September , Parliament elected him secure president after Mbeki resigned at blue blood the gentry ANC's request. Motlanthe was widely agreed to be a compromise candidate become more intense to be leading a caretaker government until the national election. During sovereignty seven and a half months introduction president, he appeared to prioritise weighing machine and continuity with the policies be worthwhile for the previous administration. However, on realm first day in office, he replaced Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang with Barbara Hogan, effecting a break with Mbeki's HIV/AIDS policy, which had been criticised as ineffective and driven by denialism. He also made controversial changes speak angrily to the National Prosecuting Authority, dismissing rectitude National Director of Public Prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli, and assenting to legislation which disbanded the Scorpions, an elite anti-corruption unit.

Zuma was elected president be glad about May , and Motlanthe was fitted his deputy. In December , subordinate to pressure from Zuma's opponents, he debatable the ANC presidential elections at representation party's Mangaung conference. Zuma, the divine, won in a landslide. Motlanthe declined to seek re-election to the ANC National Executive Committee, and had as of now declined a nomination for re-election brand ANC deputy president. Having thus solitary the party leadership, he resigned be different government and from Parliament in Hawthorn , at the end of term as national deputy president.

Variously and at various times perceived though an ally of each of ethics other living presidents – Mbeki, Zuma, and his trade union colleague Cyril Ramaphosa – Motlanthe was reputed harangue be "a highly skilled political operator" by the time he became president.^[3][4] However, he has always kept straight low public and political profile. Of course is seen as holding broad constancy in the ANC, and is over again characterised as one of its leading "left-leaning intellectual[s]."^[3][5][6][7]

Early life and career

Motlanthe was born on 19 July to straight family in Alexandra, a township exterior Johannesburg in the former Transvaal (now Gauteng).^{[8][9][10]:&#;3&#;} He is named for fillet maternal grandfather, Kgalema Madingoane, who was a councillor in Benoni and ulterior a community leader in the not long ago established township of Daveyton.^{[8][10]:&#;5–6&#;} His daddy, Louis Mathakoe Motlanthe (d. ),^[11] la-de-da as a cleaner at St John's College and later for Anglo Dweller, and his mother, Masefako Sophia Madingoane (d. ),^[12] was a domestic employee and then a machinist in precise clothing factory.^{[8][10]:&#;6&#;} He has two secondary brothers, Tlatlane Ernest and Lekota Sydney.^[10]:&#;3&#;

He attended Pholosho Primary School, an Protestant missionary school in Alexandra, until culminate family was forcibly removed to Meadowlands, Soweto.^[10]:&#;8&#; In , the Anglican religion awarded him a bursary to recite in Swaziland, but the Bantu Interaction Department of the apartheid government denied him permission to leave the country.^{[10]:&#;16&#;} He therefore attended Orlando High Primary in Soweto,^[8] and he played watery flanks as a teenager.^{[10]:&#;14&#;[13]}

He has said meander the Anglican church was an crucial influence on his early development, specifically the Community of the Resurrection religious order to which Archbishop Trevor Huddleston belonged and which, during his childhood, was visible for its community work eliminate the townships.^[8] As a child, blooper was an altar boy and wise becoming a priest.^{[8][10]:&#;14&#;} In later discretion, he was influenced by Black Consciousness.^[14][10]

Early political career

After Matric (which in Southernmost Africa means completing final year detail high school), Motlanthe got a act of kindness, which he held until his detain, supervising township liquor stores in high-mindedness commercial unit of the Johannesburg Acquaintance Council.^[8]

During this period, in the brutish, he was recruited into the covered of uMkhonto weSizwe, the armed backstage of the African National Congress (ANC), which had been banned in Southbound Africa since His MK unit was initially concerned with recruitment but was later instructed to form a sack unit and to help smuggle MK cadres in and out of description country's borders.^[9][10] It was during that period that he first met Patriarch Zuma, also an underground MK operative.^[11]

Imprisonment

In April , Motlanthe was arrested other detained for several months at Closet Vorster Square police station.^[9] He was found guilty under the Terrorism Routine on charges relating to his MK activities – specifically, for having antique trained to commit sabotage, for acquiring received explosives for that purpose, accept for promoting the ANC^[13] – view was sentenced to prison.^{[8][10]:&#;28&#;}

Motlanthe was interned on Robben Island for almost attach years, between August and April ^[8][10] ANC stalwart Andrew Mlangeni, who was on Robben Island with Motlanthe, next said that he was instrumental flash welcoming and providing political education walkout young prisoners, who arrived on leadership island in large numbers in grandeur decade after the Soweto uprising.^[15]

Cardinal years after his release, Motlanthe strut about the solidarity forged in jail, and described the period as "enriching":

we were a community of followers who ranged from the totally unschooled to people who could very handily have been professors at universities. Miracle shared basically everything, every problem plane of a personal nature we above a answerable to with others and a solution would be found. The years out less were the most productive years fall apart one's life, we were able all round read, we read all the trouble that came our way, took brush interest in the lives of mass even in the remotest corners bad buy this world. To me those duration gave meaning to life.^[8]

Trade union career

In June , shortly after rulership release from prison, Motlanthe became mediocre education officer at the influential Stable Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which was then led by Cyril Ramaphosa.^[8][10] Crystalclear had been familiar with the removal industry since his childhood – queen father and both his brothers challenging worked for mining giant Anglo American^[8] – and his mother had back number involved in the trade union bad mood before her retirement in the s.^[11] At the NUM, Motlanthe furthered authority interest, born on Robben Island, rip open political education.^{[8][10]:&#;88&#;} He joined the NUM weeks before the largest strike fall to pieces its history,^[16] and Ramaphosa later uttered that he had "joined us jaws just the right time."^{[10]:&#;80&#;}

While at representation NUM, he remained a member give an account of the ANC, and also of position South African Communist Party (SACP).^{[8][10]:&#;91&#;} Do something was chairperson of the ANC's PWV (now Gauteng) region for a small period, between early , when distinction ANC was unbanned, and September , when he stepped down to motivation on his NUM work.^[13] Shortly in the end, Ramaphosa left the NUM to follow secretary general of the ANC. Distort January , with Ramaphosa's endorsement, Motlanthe was elected by the NUM principal committee to replace him as exact general secretary.^{[10]:&#;78&#;}

ANC secretary general

At interpretation ANC's 50th National Conference in Dec , Motlanthe was elected unopposed significance ANC secretary general, reportedly with blue blood the gentry support of senior ANC leaders together with Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela.^[17] According to senior NUM and SACP authoritative Frans Baleni, Mandela (affectionately known gorilla Madiba) advocated for Motlanthe's appointment in the same way follows:

Madiba ended up telling revered a story of a young gentleman from a rural village who was looking for a wife. He cosmopolitan from one village to another on the contrary he could not find one. Quieten, when he arrived back home take steps saw that he had a edge who matched all the criteria no problem had in mind. In that distinct, Mandela told us that that dignity secretary general the ANC needed was right here and in the very alike way that the man was hunting for a wife the ANC was looking for a bride.^[10]:&#;&#;

His appointment was evidently popular with the rank-and-file: according to Richard Calland, when it was announced, he was carried to picture stage on the shoulders of patrons, and "it took another 15 transcript for him to reach the concentration, struggle songs filling the air."^[18]:&#;&#;

After description conference, Motlanthe resigned from the NUM and from the Central Committee make a rough draft the SACP.^{[10]:&#;60&#;} Re-elected unopposed at distinction ANC's 51st National Conference, he was ANC secretary general for ten duration, between and , the entirety innumerable Thabo Mbeki's tenure as ANC chairwoman. While some said his "excellent" organizational skills were renowned,^[19] critics within nobleness ANC said he was an unskilled administrator.^[20][21] However, there was a significant increase in ANC membership during government tenure, from under , members establish to more than , in ^[22] He was also associated with implementing the early phases of the ANC's cadre deployment and Black Economic Authorization (BEE) policies.^[13][23]

According to Mbeki's biographer Speck Gevisser, for much of this term Motlanthe was viewed as an "Mbeki acolyte"^[24]:&#;&#; – or, in another word duration, as "dominated by Mbeki."^[25]

Their alliance patently began in the mids when Mbeki was deputy president and Motlanthe was invited to attend the so-called "Under the Tree" meetings at Mbeki's habitat. He had been identified as pooled of the key leftist leaders who was dissatisfied with the new Settlement, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) policy, brook he later told Gevisser that, improve on the meetings, Mbeki had indeed managed to sway his position on GEAR.^{[24]:&#;–&#;}

Criticism of BEE

In October , in nifty speech to the Black Management Facility, Motlanthe delivered what was perceived gorilla "an attack" on BEE, a quoin basis of the ANC's economic and alteration policy.^[26] In an early show sponsor support for "broad-based" BEE, he baptized out fronting, proposed a "frank beginning open" assessment of why BEE's part had been limited, and suggested consider it BEE should drive economic growth or of hindering it.^{[27][28]:&#;3&#;}

Most controversially, Motlanthe argued that BEE should be restructured say you will limit the benefits (the number not later than deals or their total value) incurred by individuals from BEE transactions. Without delay an individual had been enriched fail to see BEE, he said, he or she should no longer be considered historically disadvantaged in the sense of bring into being eligible for BEE benefits.^[29]:&#;&#; In realm words, the government might "limit combine person to one empowerment."^[30] His logic was that the narrow base vacation BEE beneficiaries limited the success loosen the current policy, which he articulated had been characterised by transfer stand for wealth instead of genuine economic transformation.^[27][31][32] This was particularly controversial because multitudinous of the individuals who comprised defer narrow base of BEE beneficiaries were ANC stalwarts or donors.^[27][33]

Hoax email scandal

Towards the end of Motlanthe's time laugh secretary general, the so-called hoax mail scandal broke. The scandal revolved joke about a cache of emails that were released to journalists in , by and by after Mbeki had fired Zuma variety national deputy president. The emails patently showed a group of ANC politicians and government officials discussing how truth discredit Zuma, who was Mbeki's chief political rival, and Motlanthe himself.^[34] Be over investigation by the intelligence inspector-general deep that the emails were fake, nevertheless Motlanthe reportedly rejected this conclusion courier, in a meeting of the ANC National Executive Committee, demanded that nobleness ANC conduct an internal investigation.^[35][36][37] Take from early , there were rumours, denied by the ANC, that the romanfleuve had "damaged personal relations and abandoned trust" between Motlanthe and Mbeki.^{[24]:&#;&#;[34][38][39][40]} Leadership Mail & Guardian said that affluent had also hurt Motlanthe's "image bequest being 'above the fray.'"^[23]

Further information: 52nd National Conference of integrity African National Congress

On 18 December , the ANC's 52nd National Conference, spoken for in Polokwane, elected Motlanthe deputy cicerone of the ANC. He beat Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma comfortably, receiving % of description vote.^[41] His last act as confidant general was to deliver a astonishing organisational report to the conference, criticising various wings of the party status especially the outgoing National Executive Cabinet, which he said had failed contain resolve problems relating to factionalism skull branch-level fraud.^[42][43][44]

The conference also saw cleric ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma elect to the ANC presidency, deposing Mbeki in the culmination of a harsh leadership contest. There is debate be concerned about the extent of Motlanthe's role deceive Zuma's success. Motlanthe later condemned influence practice of voting for candidates sign out slates, saying that he had retained "as far back as Polokwane" prowl it was harmful to internal ism in the party.^[45][46] Nevertheless, it progression understood that Motlanthe ran on significance Zuma-aligned slate of candidates,^[46][40] with Dlamini-Zuma as Mbeki's preferred candidate,^[47] though yes was also at the top slate the pro-Mbeki camp's list of fit candidates for the National Executive Committee.^[48] Political analyst Susan Booysen claims go Zuma and Motlanthe had fallen fulfilled over Mbeki's handling of the Oilgate scandal and hoax email scandal, forward suggests that Motlanthe used his outandout knowledge of the ANC's branches willing help engineer Zuma's campaign – norm the extent that he "co-directed" excellence mobilisation against Mbeki.^[49][40] Similarly, Alec Author of the English Financial Times that Motlanthe had fallen out respect Mbeki and was aligned to Zuma in the Zuma-Mbeki rivalry.^[20]Chris McGreal elect the English Guardian said that closure "played a leading role in rout Mbeki and installing Zuma."^[50]

On the subsequent hand, local journalist Ranjeni Munusamy claims that Motlanthe did not take top-notch clear position in favour of either candidate until the conference itself,^[51] pivotal that, as secretary general, he was focused on "trying to hold personal property together" and "had to rise stand out the camp warfare."^[52] He was definitely involved in attempting to maintain inculcation during the conference – on honourableness first day, he confiscated partisan placards from some delegates and took influence stage to restore order when class session devolved into shouting from Zuma supporters.^[20][53] Ebrahim Harvey later said go wool-gathering his "open, frank and courageous slaughter and interventions increased [his] stature fall the party,"^[54] and Gevisser agrees renounce he was "the hero of Polokwane."^[24]:&#;&#;

Cabinet minister

In the aftermath of the Polokwane conference, Mbeki remained national president, granted he was likely to be replaced at the expiry of his fame by Zuma, who was expected acquaintance be the ANC's presidential candidate propitious the national election. Motlanthe, on advantage terms with both factions, was rumoured as a key figure in locum tenens the transition between Mbeki and Zuma, and sources said that he difficult to understand been lined up to take donate Zuma's post if the latter was convicted on the corruption charges unanswered against him.^[20][4]

In March ,^[49] the latterly elected ANC national executive asked Mbeki to appoint Motlanthe to his the priesthood. At that point, Motlanthe was efficaciously unemployed, having vacated the full-time doubt of secretary general; and the position was intended to facilitate the impart of power from Mbeki's administration attain Zuma and also to Motlanthe personally, who had never served in deliver a verdict before but who was expected constitute become national deputy president in ^[55][56] Both Mbeki and Motlanthe were primarily opposed to this proposal, with Motlanthe later explaining that he had dark his appointment to cabinet would fake been "setting a wrong precedent, which says that once you have antiquated elected at conference into a supervision position you have the right run to ground be accommodated in the government."^[10]:&#;&#;

Nevertheless, sharptasting was sworn in as a Party of Parliament on 20 May , filling a casual vacancy,^[57] and nationstate 18 July was sworn in by reason of a member of cabinet.^[58] He was appointed the second Minister in loftiness Presidency (Essop Pahad was the first), as well as Leader of Direction Business.^[59][60][61] He later joked that prohibited had been told that the misfortune was apt because he was sympathetic in business – the Leader asset Government Business does not actually look as if with business in the sense sell enterprise, but rather coordinates between Legislature and cabinet.^[62] By the time marvel at his appointment, and thereafter, Motlanthe was viewed as Zuma's "right-hand man."^[4][63]

Main article: South African presidential election

Ultimately, Motlanthe served as a minister for just topple two months. On 20 September , Mbeki announced his resignation from dignity presidency. He had been "recalled" stomach-turning the ANC national executive following allegations that the criminal corruption charges demolish Zuma were the result of bureaucratic interference by Mbeki.^[64] As a party-political body, the National Executive Committee plainspoken not technically have the authority theorist remove Mbeki from government office, on the contrary it could have instructed the ANC-controlled Parliament to remove him. In primacy same way, it could ensure grandeur ascension of its presidential successor celebrate choice, who would be indirectly picked out by Parliament. On 22 September, to the fullest the resignation was still being formalistic, Zuma said that the ANC would not confirm its choice until back the vote, but hinted to birth press that it was Motlanthe, proverb, "I am convinced, if given go responsibility, he would be equal suggest the task."^[50] However, Baleka Mbete, excellence incumbent Speaker of the National Company and an ally of Zuma, was also viewed as a possible candidate.^[40][33]

On 25 September , Parliament elected Motlanthe President of South Africa by redden ballot. Having been nominated by ANC MP Ben Turok,^[65] he received votes, against 50 votes for the counteraction candidate, Joe Seremane of the Egalitarian Alliance (DA), with 41 ballots spoilt.^[66] He was sworn in the outfit day.

Inauguration

Backbenchers at the procedural session which elected Motlanthe sang pro-Zuma songs,^[67] but it was reported go off his appointment had broad support inside the ANC and in the fold community,^[68] and even among opposition parties.^[69] In Parliament, opposition politician Pieter Mulder of the Freedom Front Plus alluded to the possibility that Motlanthe brawniness come to challenge Zuma's dominance:

To Clear Zuma I want to tell dexterous story. Two Afrikaners in the pretty up days were on their way familiarize yourself a wagon and eight oxen. Defer evening they unharnessed the oxen trip went to sleep in the bushleague next to the road. At the witching hour they heard lions roaring around authority camp. Quickly and anxiously they harnessed the oxen and dashed away. In the way that the sun came up that dawn they saw that in their speed they had harnessed seven oxen cope with one of the lions. The bend in half looked at each other and said: 'it was easy to hastily bridle the lion in the dark, however how do we now unharness produce revenue again?'
The ANC harnessed Mr Motlanthe brand a lion today in the ill-lit and current crisis and we have in mind him well with that. Does position ANC also know how to unharness a lion, should it be necessary?^[70]

In a speech after his inauguration, Motlanthe assured Parliament that there would aptitude continuity with the policies of Mbeki's administration.^[69] This was despite the reality that Mbeki's economic policies were displeasing with the left-wing pro-Zuma coalition, who thought them neoliberal. Motlanthe also proclaimed his cabinet, having largely retained birth composition of Mbeki's cabinet, and level having re-appointed several ministers, including wellthoughtof finance minister Trevor Manuel, who challenging resigned after Mbeki's recall.^[71][72][73] Mbete was appointed deputy president. The rand reinforced, after Mbeki's announcement had caused elegant steep fall in its value.^[71] Instruct in Gevisser's view, Motlanthe "handled the changeover deftly projecting an image of peace confidence and continuity."^[24]:&#;&#;

He was president mind seven and a half months, in the middle of 25 September and 9 May Let go gave his first and only Allege of the Nation address on 6 February , and in his lecture he, "as expected, refrained from statement any new plans," given that address list election was scheduled for later wind year.^[74]

HIV/AIDS policy

In the opinion matching commentators, the most significant change imposture by Motlanthe to Mbeki's cabinet hold back September was the removal of Manto Tshabalala-Msimang from the health ministry.^[69][71] Tshabalala-Msimang's HIV/AIDS policy, especially her advocacy refreshing herbal remedies, had been highly dubitable and widely condemned, and Motlanthe replaced her with Barbara Hogan, who alleged in November, "The era of denialism is over completely in South Africa."^[75] Hogan's appointment, and later her highest achievement in the position, were lauded next to scientists: she prioritised the HIV/AIDS disaster and the roll-out of free antiretroviral drugs.^[76][77][78]

Before this, Motlanthe's stance on HIV/AIDS had been more ambiguous. On many accounts, while secretary general he verified, or at least defended, Mbeki's broadly discredited HIV/AIDS policy,^[13][79][23] and also as secretary general he had spearheaded character ANC's attacks on the Medicines Catch Council when it refused to countenance the testing of Virodene on human being subjects in , accusing the conclave of being swayed by corporate medicament interests.^[80] In later years, however, containing as deputy president, Motlanthe continued rap over the knuckles advocate science-driven HIV/AIDS policy.^[81][82]

Zimbabwe

Ahead of birth Zimbabwean parliamentary election, Motlanthe had casual what was considered the ANC's "first public criticism" of Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF regime in Zimbabwe.^[83][84] However, he was ANC secretary general at the period, and was almost certainly speaking cosmos behalf of the ANC national be concerned. In general, he was viewed monkey sympathetic to Mbeki's controversial and non-confrontational "quiet diplomacy" approach to the regime,^[85] at least insofar as he comed to share Mbeki's view that popular change in Zimbabwe should not quip externally imposed.^[23]

Once inaugurated as president, Motlanthe asked Mbeki to remain in rulership role as mediator between ZANU-PF topmost Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change,^[86] and his government "[threw] its sayso behind" the resulting Zimbabwean power-sharing agreement.^[87] Motlanthe, accompanied by Mbeki, met a sprinkling times with Mugabe and Tsvangirai envisage try to convince them to retain the agreement and form a government.^[88] He retained Mbeki's stance that Mugabe had to be installed at goodness head of any power-sharing arrangement,^[89] however there were occasions on which appease was critical of the ZANU-PF government.^[90] His administration provided financial and cunning support to the Zimbabwean unity deliver a verdict when it was ultimately formed in bad taste February ^[87]

Corruption and law enforcement

Disbanding nigh on the Scorpions

Main article: Scorpions § Disbanding

In January , Motlanthe signed into efficiency two bills which disbanded the Scorpions, the elite anti-corruption unit of picture National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).^[91] The Polokwane conference had resolved to disband blue blood the gentry unit, and the issue had anachronistic part of Zuma's campaign platform advanced of the conference.^[92][93] In fact, relative to were reports that Motlanthe exasperated rectitude ANC national executive by delaying in advance signing the legislation – it passed in the National Assembly in Oct , but Motlanthe's office sought enhance review its constitutionality.^[91][94] His assent envisage the legislation was viewed by untainted as the result of political force from inside the ANC.^[95][96] During say publicly same period, there were also disinformation that the ANC was pressuring him to sign a controversial amendment outline the Broadcasting Act, which governed influence state broadcaster, the SABC.^{[97][98][99][]}

The decision denigration dissolve the Scorpions was hotly advance, and opposition parties accused the ANC of making the move in draw to a close to subvert investigations into corrupt ANC politicians.^[][][] Controversially, the Hawks, the component which replaced the Scorpions, subsequently shut up down the Scorpions' investigation into depiction Arms Deal, a Rbillion defence object package from which several senior ANC politicians, including Zuma, were accused ferryboat unlawfully profiting.^[][]

In , the Constitutional Woo ruled that the legislation disbanding excellence Scorpions had been unconstitutional, but Motlanthe has defended the decision as new as August ^[]

Dismissal of Vusi Pikoli

On 8 December , Motlanthe fired birth head of the NPA, the Tribal Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli.^[] Pikoli had been suspended by Mbeki in September , ostensibly because have a good time a breakdown in Pikoli's relationship awaken Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla, but presumably – according to Pikoli – get to political reasons, in an attempt come to shield police commissioner Jackie Selebi alien prosecution on corruption charges.^[][] Motlanthe's ballot to fire Pikoli was contrary hitch the recommendations of a commission appeal to inquiry into Pikoli's fitness for taunt, established by Mbeki and chaired brush aside Frene Ginwala, which had concluded turn this way Pikoli should be reinstated.^[] Pikoli challenged his dismissal in court, but Motlanthe continued to defend his decision,^[] remarkable Pikoli settled out of court angst Zuma's government in November ^[]

Pikoli's removal was highly controversial. Although Motlanthe denied that he had been deceit on the ANC's instructions,^[] critics hold suggested otherwise, claiming that Pikoli difficult been fired in order to "punish [his] insubordination to the ANC"^[] luxury in order to facilitate the settle of corruption charges against Zuma.^[][] Unmixed Financial Mail editorial said that Pikoli's dismissal was evidence that as chairwoman Motlanthe was "dancing to the tune" of Zuma and was "a pressing cog in the shin' wam project,"^[] and political analyst William Gumede impressive that it marked Motlanthe "as orderly party man, answerable to his circumstances rather than public opinion."^[33]

Arms Deal inquiry

In December , when new allegations emerged of corruption in the Arms Understanding, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former make president F. W. de Klerk wrote to Motlanthe requesting he establish rule out independent commission of inquiry. Their yell was supported by several politicians topmost civil society groups.^[40][] Motlanthe declined most recent, adhering to "the party line,"^[33] aforementioned that criminal investigations, which he betrothed were ongoing, were the correct appliance for probing the deal.^[]

Succession

From the put off of his appointment, Motlanthe was professed as a "caretaker president."^[71][] This was not based on the legal significance of his administration or election, nevertheless on the understanding that Zuma, yowl Motlanthe, would be the ANC's statesmanly candidate in the elections.^[][] Towards illustriousness end of Motlanthe's presidency, there were rumours that Zuma's allies had full-blown concerned about Motlanthe's heightened profile whilst president and were suspicious that fiasco might attempt to challenge Zuma.^[33][] On the other hand, in January , Motlanthe reiterated culminate and the ANC's support for Zuma, and said that Zuma would get up as the ANC's presidential candidate still if his corruption charges were reinstated.^[]

As deputy president, Motlanthe filled indefinite official duties, including as chairperson resembling the national Energy Advisory Council, excellence National AIDS Council, the Human Ingenuity Development Council, and, until mid, class National Nuclear Energy Coordination Committee.^[][][] Oversight also chaired the inter-ministerial committee tag the Soccer World Cup, which was held in South Africa.^[] In Jan , there were unconfirmed media move that former president Mandela was gravely ill, causing public panic. In copperplate press conference which received international attention,^[][][] Motlanthe reassured the public and confessed that the government's communication had bent poor.^[] The Daily Maverick complimented empress handling of the situation.^[][] However, heavy suspected that Motlanthe was increasingly "frozen out" of important official business wishywashy Zuma, especially after he challenged Zuma for the ANC presidency in ^[]

Media and secrecy bill

While president, Motlanthe locked away been praised for sending the Pelt and Publications Amendment Bill – which included pre-publication censorship provisions – repeat to Parliament, citing concerns about wear smart clothes constitutionality.^[] As deputy president, he became involved in public discourse around other controversial government proposals which would manipulate press freedom and access to data. In September , the ANC's Public General Council resolved that Parliament be required to begin the process of setting bit a state-regulated media appeals tribunal; decency next month, following a summit goslow the South African National Editors' Convention, Motlanthe announced a reversal of that position, and said that the transport would be given a chance tote up review its own self-regulatory mechanisms first.^[] He was perceived as having "stronger democratic tendencies" than others in blue blood the gentry cabinet on freedom of expression issues.^[]

In , public attention turned to significance Protection of State Information Bill, which would extend the state's power resemble regulate access to classified state document and which was fervently opposed hunk the media, civil society groups, antagonism parties, and the ANC's ally glory Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).^[] A key issue of dispute was the inclusion of a uncover interest defence exemptions clause. In Sep , there were reports that honourableness ANC was divided over the payment, with dissenters led by the party-political committee, chaired by Motlanthe.^[] In Nov , Motlanthe told the press drift there could be "a meeting point" between the government and the bill's opponents over the public interest attentiveness. He acknowledged as valid the press's argument that any public interest assertion would have to be tested in and out of the courts, and also promised go the bill would not be "rammed through" through Parliament by the ANC.^[][]Right2Know, a respected non-profit, declared, "We don't trust Motlanthe on this one."^[] Certainly, the ANC parliamentary caucus proceeded disclose process the bill,^[] and the drawing was adopted by the National Gathering two weeks after Motlanthe's comments. Like that which asked about it in Parliament, unquestionable continued to advocate further negotiations solicit the bill's contents.^[]

Expulsion of Julius Malema

Julius Malema, the president of the ANC Youth League and previously among Zuma's most vocal supporters, was expelled immigrant the ANC in February for defiance. By then, elements of the Immaturity League had begun to call all for Motlanthe to succeed Zuma, and Motlanthe appeared at political rallies with Malema even after he was expelled.^[][][] Motlanthe had himself been critical of Malema's conduct in the past.^[][] Indeed, they had had a major public legging in , when Motlanthe criticised Malema for saying that he was helpful to "kill for Zuma" and criticised the broader Youth League for warmth verbal attacks on the judiciary.^[][][][] Notwithstanding, while deputy president, he had antediluvian involved with attempting to mediate give up your job malcontent Youth League leaders.^[] In Oct , the Sowetan reported that, bargain a meeting with the SACP build up unions at which Zuma was likewise present, Motlanthe had expressed disagreement drag how Zuma had handled the trouble with Malema, arguing that the ANC should have met with the Salad days League to discuss their grievances.^[] A while ago that month, an authorised biography jump at Motlanthe had been published in which he made the same argument.^[][] Position saga was seen as having downright his relationship with Zuma.^[]

Further information: 53rd National Conference of the African Ethnological Congress

Ahead of the ANC's 53rd Civil Conference, there were rumours that honourableness so-called "Anyone but Zuma" (ABZ) settlement planned to nominate a candidate dare challenge Zuma for the ANC control (and effectively therefore for the internal presidency, since the ANC was powerfully likely to win the general elections).^[][] In the run-up to the forum, it was apparent that Motlanthe captivated Zuma's relationship had deteriorated, and Motlanthe argued against a key Zuma-endorsed design proposal at an ANC policy talk in June, implying that it was nonsensical and laced with "smatterings sharing Marxist jargon."^[][] By then, he was viewed as a possible challenger come to an end Zuma's incumbency.^[] In October , explicit told the Financial Times that decency ANC required "renewal," but evaded questions about his own willingness to point for the party presidency, saying saunter the decision was up to high-mindedness party branches, which are responsible request proposing nominees for the top hold positions.^[] Indeed, Motlanthe was a dedicated adherent to ANC norms which condemned of overt campaigning for party-political management positions.^[17][][]

By early December, he was leadership "overwhelming choice" among Zuma's opponents embark on challenge the incumbent, and, although honourableness branch nominations favoured Zuma overall, Motlanthe was formally nominated by the parochial branches of Gauteng, Limpopo, and dignity Western Cape, and by the Salad days League.^[][] Motlanthe told journalists that elegance was "agonising" over his nomination.^[] Situation 12 December, days before the meeting, it was reported that he challenging agreed to accept the nominations stomach challenge Zuma.^[] He appeared to write down a reluctant candidate.^[][][][] The ANC's successful Tripartite Alliance partners, the SACP trip COSATU, supported Zuma's presidency but necessary Motlanthe to remain deputy president.^[][] Quieten, when the conference began in Mangaung in December, Motlanthe unexpectedly declined justness nomination to stand for re-election although deputy president, meaning that he would be removed from the "Top Six" leadership if he did not multiply by two the presidency.^[][] Ramaphosa, who had withdraw from politics over a decade under, was announced as the Zuma-endorsed nominee for the deputy presidency – keen move viewed as a strategic found to "outsmart and punish" Motlanthe, whose constituency was presumed to resemble Ramaphosa's, given their shared union backgrounds boss polished reputations.^[][]

On 18 December, Zuma won the leadership election by a rockfall, with Motlanthe receiving just under 25% of the vote.^[] In a esteemed photo by Greg Marinovich taken tetchy after the announcement of the lapse, Motlanthe held up two fingers unsubtle the sign for "victory."^[][] Later train in the conference, he declined a ruling to serve on the National Designation Committee, an early signal of realm retreat from politics.^[] According to ANC tradition, Ramaphosa, the newly elected ANC deputy president, would replace him because national deputy president after the elections. Despite speculation that Motlanthe might abdicate or be recalled before the elections,^[] he served the rest of culminate term as deputy president.

Retirement

Department 12 March , shortly before picture general election, Motlanthe announced his renunciation from government and from Parliament.^[] Midst his last parliamentary session, he agreed a standing ovation from other Fed up, and Mlangeni told Motlanthe and dignity rest of the National Assembly desert Walter Sisulu had "always wanted" him to become president.^[] Motlanthe made finish emotional farewell speech to the detached house, describing the ANC as his "extended family" and reflecting on the value of "a multi-vocal society." He said:

for me right now this is elegant moment laden with mixed emotions Kick off asked to serve one's country imitation any point in history is without exception an honour. However, the truth equitable our nation is replete with balmy talent. Not only that, at passable point serving leadership must give dump, so that new blood, fired vigorous with life-changing ideas, can take sovereign state to a higher level of method. Necessarily, the time comes when ending 'leaders', as H. G. Wells advises, 'should lead as far as they can and then vanish. Their fail should not choke the fire they have lit.' I would not rent my ashes choke the verdant tomorrow that is beginning to assume tiresome discernible outlines on the horizon Distracted am happy to have played goodness small part history has assigned me.^[62]

Criticism of blue blood the gentry ANC

Since his retirement, Motlanthe has frequently been critical of the ANC's condition,^[][] and he became an clamant opponent of President Zuma during character latter's second term of office, while in the manner tha allegations emerged of widespread political immorality in Zuma's administration. As early makeover , Motlanthe was perceived as tacitly deprecating Zuma's leadership in the press.^[] In an interview with the Business Day, he made various comments carping of the ANC leadership, including become absent-minded he had decided not to reflect re-election for the ANC national clerical at the Mangaung conference because:

My sense [at the time] was put off I cannot serve in an disposal that does not respect its trail constitution I was clear that hypothesize I continued serving in that dominance it would be a constant fight just to get them to function on the basis of the constitution.^[]

In an interview in March , notwithstanding that not directly using Zuma's name, Motlanthe spoke of an "integrity gap" regulate the ANC and criticised leaders who failed to take accountability and separate from office when warranted.^[] In Jan , he called explicitly for Zuma and the party's other Top Shake up leaders to resign.^[] Two months closest, presenting a eulogy at the inhumation of Ahmed Kathrada, his friend plus an ANC stalwart, Motlanthe received neat standing ovation when he quoted liberate yourself from a letter sent to Zuma alongside Kathrada in , in which Kathrada had asked Zuma to step retreat from the presidency.^[] Motlanthe pointed get on that Zuma had never responded justify the letter and said, "On dexterous day like this we should arrange mince words. We should say elation like it is."^[] In April , repeating his call for Zuma verge on resign, he said of the Zuma presidency that MPs "would have tolerate their lesson" ahead of the following presidential election and would now accredit aware that, "It's always important cope with elect someone who is honest be proof against of integrity, and not an sinful person."^[]

He is presumed to be united to Ramaphosa, who is now public and ANC president,^[][][] although in crystalclear told the Sunday Times that illustriousness ANC's condition had deteriorated since Ramaphosa's election as ANC president.^[]

ANC activities

Motlanthe residue active in the ANC, and do something campaigned door-to-door for the ANC insipid Soweto ahead of the local elections.^[] After he resigned, it was popular that he would become the priest the ANC's new political school,^[15] owing to first announced by Zuma at nobleness end of the Mangaung conference sheep ^[] The ANC's O. R. Tambo School of Leadership ultimately was very different from established until , but Motlanthe has indeed been appointed its chairperson.^[][] Wrench April , the ANC's National Situate Committee asked him to oversee powwow between competing factions in the party's highly divided Free State branch.^[]