Dlamini-Zuma the first choice for presidency

She has served the ANC with distinction, writes from Ekurhuleni.

IMorgan Phaala

f history is something to be relied upon, who could ever forget that those who campaigned for the 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 mutual friendship with the then ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma. Neither did her close ties with Mbeki make any difference. Because none of those things would taint her political pedigree, for she owed her allegiance to the movement she served with distinction at the height of apartheid. Why is it now a matter of taste? Surely, if Mbeki were to endorse her now it would add another complexion to the narrative. This is because the succession race is largely dominated by double standards of a patriarchal nature.

It’s also fraught with disruptive and intransigent elements wanting to cling to power and keep the suppressive lid on the emancipation of women.

The progressive cadres of our movement are on the ground mobilising branches to counter the effect of slates, endangering the country as a whole.

We’ve a patriotic duty to discern a true cadre from the often dangerous politicians.

The only way to avert this impending risk is to bring to the fore a woman of substance and build the nation, someone like Dlamini-Zuma.