Skilful Ramaphosa deserves a shot to lead
There is no urgent need for female president; it’s a red herring
WE MUST always stay vigilant on matters like tribalism as they have a way of manifesting themselves. With its formation the ANC thought it buried tribalism but it was to resurface in exile with its president, Oliver Tambo, being one of the victims. On one hand, the Xhosa-speaking people were victims of the perception that they were dominant in the ANC. The late Ruth Mompati was among those harbouring that feeling. That not only rank-and-file, but senior and high-profile people like Mompati felt that way as well, demonstrated its intensity.
Though majoritism is the first principle in voting or democracy, tribalism can have an influence.
Tribalism is not “dead” instead its spectre keeps on haunting us.
The deputy president of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa, one of the chief engineers during the negotiations phase for a democratic SA, needs a chance. He is brilliant and rich, what else?
The other dimension is the issue of him not having gotten an expected opportunity as Nelson Mandela’s deputy, and president after him.
As much as Mandela and FW de Klerk were principals during the negotiation phases Ramaphosa and Roelf Meyer were the main people. They were facilitators and also ice-breakers in time of deadlock.
There were times when Mandela was angry and turned his back on the process because of a spate of killings of African people in the townships and it was alleged that police had a hand in them, the Boipatong Massacre for an example.
It took Ramaphosa to bring him back to the negotiation table. According to the late Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert, out of the two main men in the negotiations, the boss was Ramaphosa. Adrian Guelke put it this way: “Cyril Ramaphosa was a trout-fishing enthusiast and took Roelf Meyer fishing”. Slabbert also said Ramaphosa unbelievably tricked Meyer into accepting majority rule.
Ramaphosa is brilliant and rich; he proved the former during his days as a unionist and more explicitly during the negotiations. That brilliance guided his political approach and saved unions from being involved in strikes that would have been detrimental to them in the end. During the negotiations he developed a concept “sufficient consensus” which gave leeway to the major partners. As a result of his role in the negotiations, Bill Keller says: “He was Nelson Mandela’s choreographer at the negotiations that would eventually bring three centuries of white domination to a thrilling and relatively peaceful end.”
In the history of the ANC, the Nguni dominated the presidential position. With the exception of three terms of the Northern/Southern Sotho in the period 1912-51, 1952-until now (63 years) Ngunis dominate. The tribalism card, depending on how it is played, can be beneficial or detrimental. Jacob Zuma’s rise to the presidency is a good example. It played a crucial role not only for the benefit of Zuma but for the ANC at large. Therefore now it is not only about Ramaphosa but the Venda speaking-people and a hope for other small non-Nguni language groups in the ANC.
Ramaphosa, a non-Nguni, deserves a chance. Professor Anthony Butler said, in terms of representivity it was advisable to have an African from the domestic struggle, a non-Xhosa, and it is Ramaphosa. He is committed, brilliant person and rich. After he was elected to the ANC deputy presidency in Mangaung he began the process of reviewing his interests in business. He was Mandela’s and many South Africans’ preferred deputy and heir. His political come-back means commitment and love for his country. He led and participated in the drafting of the constitution even after he was out of politics. He became rich through the policy of his party, an ANC manufactured capitalist.
Therefore it is contradictory that the SACP chameleons say that they don’t trust him because he is a capitalist. Instead he is a role model, a combination of struggle and success from a politician and a businessman. Ramaphosa has been a leader throughout his life from school, unions, politics and business. Robben Islanders got their chance, Mandela, and the exiles too, Mbeki. Now is the time for the inziles, Ramaphosa. This Venda-speaking, gifted/skilful negotiator; a driver of the multi-party negotiations; chairman of the Constitutional Assembly, a pragmatist, a reconciler and a trustworthy citizen and a leader deserves a chance. However, the female president issue now is a ploy to block Ramaphosa from becoming a president. Most women whose names are suggested are even failing to focus on issues affecting women. Instead they are president’s ladies. As the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said, Ramaphosa was and is trained for the job. On top of that, just like other economies in the world the economy of South Africa depends on the markets. Currently there is no other candidate the markets have confidence in except him. There is no woman that is trained as National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) says about Ramaphosa.
If it needs be a woman, the ANC must follow its policy of a deputy becoming a president. It was not contravened when it came to Zuma why must it be now when it’s Ramaphosa’s turn? Currently during these trying times the ANC and the nation at large don’t need a loyalist but a knowledgeable, informed, critical, clever and decent leader. President Zuma said it’s not the tradition of the ANC for the deputy to become a president, since when? He forgot to say after him.
Probably he can be the only one to take in South Africa’s darling, former public protector Thuli Madonsela, to his cabinet or state position in a strategic position that would contribute immensely in saving our nation. What about directly/indirectly returning Dikgang Moseneke to apply his full knowledge and potential he was not given an opportunity to apply?
Just as Richard Calland said about Moseneke when he was contesting for the position of being the highest judge in South Africa: “He is clever… charming… and very rich – he doesn’t need the job and is, presumably, incorruptible”. So is Ramaphosa!
In conclusion the party, especially the country, must not be fooled by people with a hidden agenda.
The party’s reputation which translates into public scrutiny and voting is in crisis. Here’s a non-Nguni, inzile with integrity and a clever, experienced person in negotiation, constitutional, legal, business, and state matters and not corrupt. What is urgent is the best president to save our country.
A nation cannot compromise an experienced candidate for non-experience under the pretext of a woman president.
Also, why does the ruling party tradition change now? I smell a rat and I’m not the only one! Give a man who co-drafted our constitution an opportunity to be in charge so that he can see whether it works or not and we put its failures at his doorstep.