Former President Kgalema Motlanthe cautioned South Africa’s current political leaders to treat public office as a trust on behalf of the people, invoking the legacy of anti-apartheid icon Walter Sisulu during the second Walter Sisulu Memorial Lecture at the Vaal University of Technology on 30 July 2026. Motlanthe emphasised that holding political power is a sacred responsibility, not an entitlement, and warned that it “can be taken away” if leaders forget their obligation to those they serve.

Motlanthe’s Message On Political Accountability

Addressing academics, students, and dignitaries, Motlanthe referenced Sisulu’s decades-long commitment to public service, highlighting that he “did not treat public office as personal reward” even after years of exclusion from power. Motlanthe stressed, “Freedom means recognition of necessity; freedom is therefore not a possession secured once and for all; it is a practice.” According to Motlanthe, these lessons should guide leadership today as South Africa faces governance and ethical challenges across political parties.

Significance Of Walter Sisulu’s Example For Today’s Leaders

Walter Sisulu was Secretary-General of the ANC from 1949 to 1955 and served as Deputy President from 1991 to 1994. He spent over 25 years imprisoned for his role in the anti-apartheid struggle, demonstrating selflessness and resilience. Motlanthe, who served as both ANC Secretary-General and Deputy President decades later, drew on these parallels to urge politicians to uphold Sisulu’s focus on collective progress over personal ambition. Analysts note that such reminders are particularly relevant amid ongoing public concern about accountability and ethical leadership in South Africa’s democracy.

The Memorial Lecture series seeks to keep the legacy of liberation leaders alive as a moral compass for the country’s future direction. The next event in the series is planned for 2027, with details to be announced by organisers later this year.