Bring on the woman of substance

IF HISTORY is to be relied upon, who could ever forget that those who campaigned for former ANC president Thabo Mbeki’s third term in 2007 had endorsed Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma as the country’s presidential candidate for the 2009 general elections?

There were no misgivings about her friendship with the then ANC deputy president, Jacob Zuma. Nor did her close ties with Mbeki make any difference.

None of those things would taint her political pedigree, for she owes her allegiance to the movement she served with distinction at the height of apartheid. Why is it now a matter of taste?

If Mbeki were to endorse her now, it would surely put another complexion on the narrative. This is because the succession race is dominated by double standards of a patriarchal nature. It’s fraught with disruptive and intransigent elements wanting to cling to power and keep a lid on the transition of the woman emancipation agenda.

There’s no content to the diatribe spewed out about Dlamini Zuma; they’re all red herrings, with hidden motives, meant to block a democratic process and ultimately thwart her chances of ascending to the highest office. We don’t give a fig about their political manoeuvres. They won’t wash.

The progressive cadres of our movement are on the ground mobilising branches to counter the effect of slates endangering the country. We have a patriotic duty to discern a true cadre from the mere, often dangerous, politicians without grace.

The only way to avert the impending risk is to bring to the fore a woman of substance and build the nation. Dlamini Zuma exemplifies the servant-leader we need to shepherd a society racked by unemployment and poverty, which affects women and children in rural areas.

MORGAN PHAAHLA

Ekurhuleni