Dlamini Zuma says she wants to be prez

ANC presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has turned to the church and to social networks to give impetus to her ambition to lead the ANC and South Africa.

The former AU Commission chairperson spent part of her weekend addressing congregants at the Roman Catholic Church in Mariannhill, west of Durban. She also tweeted about the importance of a woman in a leadership position.

This was the first time that Dlamini Zuma has spoken openly about the presidential race in which she and

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa are regarded as front-runners.

“I am saying it is time for a woman to be in charge. If we can run our homes we can run the country,” said Dlamini Zuma, without specifically mentioning herself.

She has been spending a lot of time in KwaZulu-Natal, her stronghold province, and is being strongly supported by the ANC Youth League, the ANC Women’s League and the MK Veterans Association.

So far, Ramaphosa has been endorsed by Cosatu and the SACP.

Dlamini Zuma also enjoys the support of her former husband, President Jacob Zuma, who will step down as ANC president in December when the party holds its elective national conference in Joburg.

“Once we elect the woman she will do what we want as women,” said Dlamini Zuma.

She encouraged women to organise themselves in order to have their views heard by the government. “If a woman is elected we will encourage her to work with organised women. But there is no woman who can run the country without being voted into power.”

Dlamini Zuma seemed to be going all out to campaign for the top spot.

On Twitter this weekend she said: “If we elect a female President we can look to her to empower women and fast-track women’s emancipation.”

She also said: “We are oppressed because we are poor, black and female. Women are not only over 50% of the population but we also produce the other 50%.”

She also tweeted that if women can lead their families and communities “why can’t we lead South Africa?”

But she received a backlash from Twitter users. SarahLeigh Elago @GeniusLeigh said: “You were the AU Chairperson, first woman for that matter and you didn’t do much, tell me how will you run a country? Smh!”

The Black Inferno @ Brothercharcoal tweeted: “to call yourself poor just to get poor people’s support and votes just shows what you really think poor people are good for.”

Political analyst Ralph Mathekga said Dlamini Zuma had started campaigning as soon as she landed at OR Tambo International Airport on her return from Ethiopia.

“Those who organised her welcoming intentionally did so to begin her campaign… and she has demonstrated a willingness to pick a fight,” he said.

Mathekga said Ramaphosa had also started his campaign, as has parliamentary Speaker Baleka Mbete, who also harbours presidential ambitions.

“It is a clandestine campaign. People are using opportunities at official functions to actually make themselves available for leadership,” said Mathekga.

The ANC had banned candidates from campaigning before it officially opens in September.