Vhembe women defy leadership

SUPPORT: REGION’S ANC WOMEN’S LEAGUE WANTS CYRIL RAMAPHOSA AS PRESIDENT

‘Son of the soil’ is their choice despite national endorsement of Dlamini-Zuma.

The support for former African Union Commission chairperson and ANC presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dkamini-Zuma is dwindling in Limpopo.

This after women in Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ancestral Vhembe region decided to defy the national and provincial leadership of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL).

The national leadership of the ANCWL has endorsed Dlamini-Zuma to take over from President Jacob Zuma as president of the party and the country, but the Vhembe region, which is the home of Ramaphosa, backs him for the presidency. The league went against the national leadership and vowed to back the man they call “son of the soil”.

Ramaphosa has ancestral roots in Venda, where he spent the better part of his childhood.

On Sunday, the ANCWL in Vhembe surprised with ululation and loud cheers for Ramaphosa minutes before he delivered his keynote address.

Clad in ANC regalia, the women praised Ramaphosa, saying under his tutelage the county’s economy would swell, corruption would be a thing of the past and the tripartite alliance would smoke a peace pipe and speak from the same political page.

“The writing is on the wall. Ramaphosa is the future and, under his leadership, South Africa will be a better place to live and the country will be poised to thrive economically,” said one of the women, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal after the rally.

Another woman said the league was scared to speak openly about its allegiance for fear of being victimised or disbanded.

“But it is no secret that Limpopo is united over Ramaphosa. Charity begins at home and the same applies to us,” she said.

The ANCWL in Limpopo said the demonstration by the women in the Vhembe region was an act of defiance.

“We have held a meeting with women in different regions within the ANCWL and agree in principle that all women will support Dlamini-Zuma,” said Limpopo ANCWL provincial spokesperson Christina Mogale yesterday. –

Picture: Alex Matlala NEW VOICE. The ANC Women’s League in Vhembe supports Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed Jacob Zuma – a move that is seen by many as blatant disrespect for the national leadership of the league.