Royal blow for Dlamini Zuma
OUTGOING chairperson of the AU Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s ANC presidential bid was yesterday struck a blow by Xhosa King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu, who said the country was not ready for a woman president.
Dlamini Zuma was at Sigcawu’s Nqadu Great Place in Willowvale near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape for what was initially announced as a courtesy visit by the former foreign affairs minister to the king.
Even though the king slaughtered an ox for Dlamini Zuma, Sigcawu did not mince his words in attacking President Jacob Zuma’s leadership. Dlamini Zuma is backed by those who are supporting Zuma against Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also gunning for the ANC’s top job.
The event at a marquee at Sigcawu’s palace was turned into a question-and-answer session between Dlamini Zuma and residents.
A handful of ANC supporters, accompanied by ANC Women’s League members, came to listen to Dlamini Zuma’s plans on how the government needed to prioritise rural residents for economic opportunities.
Sigcawu told those in attendance that traditional leaders were at an advanced stage of forming their own political party through the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa).
He said the move was ignited by the government’s “failure” to listen to traditional leaders’ concerns.
“We have got huge support from our people.
“People listen to us and they will support our initiative to form our own political party through Contralesa,” Sigcawu said.
He added that the country was in a “mess”, and not in need of a woman president.
“The country is not ready for a woman president because even our democratic presidents (previous and current), who are all men, have not accomplished their mission of turning it around,” said Sigcawu. Speaking to The Mercury on the sidelines of the event, Sigcawu said: “I am not sure of her capabilities for the presidency. Sending her to the presidency would be just a disaster because our country is in a mess.”
But Sigcawu’s comments did not stop Deputy Minister for Water and Sanitation Pam Tshwete from campaigning for Dlamini Zuma at the event.
Tshwete said the time for a woman president was long overdue.
“We are here to support our candidate and asijiki (are not turning back),” said Tshwete to the applause of a tiny group of ANC Women’s League members in attendance.
Residents at the event listed various concerns ranging from lack of economic capital to start their businesses, to criminal activities targeting women and children.
In response, Dlamini Zuma said: “The concerns you have raised mean that we need to do more.
“I will take these concerns to the relevant people and to the ANC’s national executive committee.”