12 March 2004
The ANC today (12 March) received a request from the DA Deputy Chairperson Dan Maluleke to organise a debate between ANC President Thabo Mbeki and DA leader Tony Leon.
This latest attempt to revive an issue that has long since been put to rest, reflects the DA's inability to find anything of substance to offer the South African people.
ANC Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe has responded in a letter to Maluleke, which was faxed to the DA's offices this afternoon. The full text of the letter is reproduced below.
12 March 2004
Dan Maluleke MP
Deputy Chairperson
Democratic Alliance
Dear Mr Maluleke,
RE: DEBATE BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
Your letter of 12 March addressed to ANC National Chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota refers.
While your professed commitment to the interests of deepening democracy is to be welcomed, the ANC and DA clearly have different views about what democracy is.
The ANC believes that democracy is first and foremost about the people, not about podiums, platforms or the egos of politicians. That is why our efforts to deepen democracy revolve around ensuring that people are able to engage directly and honestly with the people who seek to be their public representatives.
If the DA wishes to speak to the electorate through the medium of television, you are obviously welcome to do so. But the ANC wants to speak to the electorate in person. We want to hear their views, discuss their problems with them, and discuss our programmes with them.
The ANC has no problem reaching the people. As I write this letter, our leaders and our candidates are walking the streets of South Africa speaking to the people.
As much as we are sympathetic to the problem the DA faces, we are not bound by convention nor persuaded by your argument to arrange a television platform for your leader to address the South African people he seems unable, or unwilling, to engage directly.
Given this, and given the fact that the DA is just one of 35 parties contesting this election, we are unable to accede to your request.
Yours sincerely,
Kgalema Motlanthe
Secretary General