Kgalema Motlanthe has set the cat among the pigeons and landed devastating body blows to the ANC and its alliance partners. It was refreshing to hear the former South African president and deputy president speak openly and honestly about the shenanigans within the tripartite alliance.He pulled no punches when he said the alliance had reached its sell-by date. It existed only on paper and was failing to be a voice of reason in the ruling party and broader society.Though Motlanthe was part of the losing slate in Mangaung, where President Jacob Zuma retained his positions as leader of the ANC and of the government, his voice will resonate with the views of many people - both inside and outside the ANC.For this country to find solutions to the many challenges it faces, frank and honest discussions are needed. We cannot expect progress if we are blind to our shortcomings.Motlanthe is no ordinary member of the ANC. He has held a number of senior positions in the party and state, including serving as caretaker president after Thabo Mbeki was hounded out of office. Some might argue that by pointing a finger at the current leadership Motlanthe is trying to score cheap political points. What we should appreciate, though, is that criticism from ANC members is more effective than censure from opposition parties.Motlanthe warned back in 2013 that "the crisis must reach its apex first" before it could be resolved, adding that it would be delusional to believe that the problems facing the ANC were issues that could self-correct."[ The crisis] has to get worse first," he said.We now have to ask this question: Has the ANC reached its apex?That is why it is important to continue creating space for frank discussions and to question the type of leadership we have in all sectors of society.Those who love this country surely cannot keep quiet...