Lindiwe for president

IN HONOUR of all South African women, I advocate that Lindiwe Sisulu be nominated as the first woman president for the next national election.

With the Marikana massacre hanging as a proverbial millstone around his neck, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has been compromised.

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has impeccable credentials and comes from a family steeped in South African Struggle history and leadership. The Sisulu family name carries global prestige and is a brand that does not require marketing because of its inherent and historical pedigree.

Sisulu is a skilful person in her own right as she has been in leadership a long time and understands the intricate nature of governance. She is a woman of elegance and dignity. These qualities will allow her added access on to the global stage where octogenarian African leaders struggle to stand up straight next to leaders such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Whether we like it or not, education, pedigree and charisma are vital in leadership. The African continent deserves at least one great leader who is not compromised by corruption and other scandals. Sisulu has all the required qualifications to be that leader.

She is currently the Minister of Human Settlements and a member of the joint standing committee on intelligence. She is a member of the national working committee and executive committee of the ANC.

Previous positions include minister of Public Service and Administration, 2012-2014, minister of Defence and Military Veterans 2009-2012, minister of Housing 2004-2009, minister of Intelligence 2001-2004 and deputy minister of the Department of Home Affairs, 1996-2001.

Her education and training include a Higher Diploma in Education and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Swaziland and a Master of Philosophy from the University of York, Canada.

In the words of the wise, we are all responsible for the choices we make. Just because some of us do not support the current ANC leadership does not imply that we do not have a vested interest in who leads us into the future.