IN MY VIEW | Babalwa Lobishe’s rapid rise to leadership position puzzling

The Eastern Cape is renowned as the “province of legends” due to its remarkable history of producing exceptional leaders who have made a significant contribution to SA’s development. A common thread that ties these leaders together is their dedication to upholding the highest ethical and moral standards. Despite facing immense challenges, they remained true to their values, working tirelessly to build a better future for their country and its people.

Some even laid down their lives for the emancipation of the downtrodden and the amelioration of the black condition. Their legacies continue to inspire and serve as a testament to the power of integrity, compassion and visionary leadership. In reality, their leadership traits set a standard by which to evaluate the next generation of leaders.

The pertinent and necessary inquiry is whether leaders such as Nelson Mandela Bay mayor and ANC regional chair Babalwa Lobishe can be mentioned in the same breath as the aforementioned leaders. The unequivocal response is a resounding no — her actions are completely at odds with the values these moral leaders represented. Lobishe is embroiled in a scandal surrounding the renting of the transformer to a private company allegedly without compliance with requisite municipal process.

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Despite the calls by Azapo and from factions of her party for her to step aside, she is digging in her heels. Instead of following her conscience to make an ethical decision, she decided to depend on the balance of power dynamics within the ANC. Lobishe’s response to the allegations seems to fit Thomas Hobbes’ notion of a relentless pursuit of power.

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