I was having my own personal frustrations, thinking: Where are the ANC or left intellectuals?

Not the top six officials or government ministers or Parliamentarians, but members whose pursuit and interest is intellectual debate, polemics, ideas. And then President Mbeki reappeared on the scene with his letter series. I must confess that my initial instinct was one of annoyance, a feeling that he should just be quiet and enjoy his retirement. I instinctively felt that he’s trying to make himself relevant by resurrecting old issues. Why not, as some argued, just write his memoirs? Then it hit me.

Mbeki is an intellectual, and he has every right to write on any topic of his fancy. In fact, he has initiated debate on a number of topics, including his motives for writing these letters. For far too long what passed for intellectual discourse has been dominated by neoliberal analysts and newspaper columnists. The reappearance of Mbeki in the past few weeks has created a much needed counter-balance to the dominant narrative. And those who are calling for him to shut up are either misguided or disingenuous. Are these not the same people who accuse the ANC of stifling debate? The fact that Mbeki is a former president is perhaps irrelevant. Or not. But he has every right to apply his great intellect to any topic he wishes. That is not to say we should agree with him. Disagree if you must, but embrace the space he’s creating for debate on a number of issues.

I listened to his keynote at the anniversary celebrations of the Human Rights Commission this morning. I was happy that he had been invited to be the main speaker; after all, he was there at the birth of the HRC, the constitution of the republic and all chapter nine institutions. And he didn’t disappoint me. I sat (unplanned) in front of my screen watching, listening, fascinated. The issues he addressed, racism, sexism, transformation and the two-nation paradigm, were not new. What fascinated me was, here’s an intellectual who’s been missing from the scene. And it’s better now because he’s not the president anymore, but someone who can and should be engaged without fear of potential victimisation.

Instead of complaining we should rejoice that he’s re-entered public life and embrace the space for debate that he’s opened up.