For a couple of weeks the political discourse in our country has been dominated by political contestations of leadership in the ANC leagues.
This is understandable as the ANC remains the leader in our society and therefore many people have an interest in what happens in their political movement.
This was also the case in a recent article by Elvis Masoga carried in the Daily Dispatch on October 1 and other media outlets.
In the article, titled “Ex-wife key in roll-out of ‘Zumafication’ strategy”, the writer ignores the credible credentials and capable leadership of Dlamini-Zuma, focusing instead on the fact that she is the former wife of President Jacob Zuma.
That she is the former wife of the president of our esteemed movement, gets special mention for malicious reasons.
The article ignores all her leadership capabilities and history which are of public record.
Her ability to lead or contest any position in the ANC should be assessed on the basis of her demonstrable experience and leadership roles she has occupied in different capacities over the years, both in the ANC and in government – including in the international arena.
These roles she has executed with precision and distinction.
She is arguably one of the longest serving members of the national executive committee of the ANC and the women’s league. She has led the ANC in different capacities both in exile and post the advent of democracy in our country. She has been a member of the national executive in government as minister of health, foreign affairs and recently home affairs over many years.
It came as no surprise when her name was called out to lead the African Union Commission and we continue to celebrate her achievements to this day.
When she occupied all these positions her marital status was never a question and it remains of no relevance now.
That she was married to another capable leader of the ANC does not in any way qualify her to lead. What does is her experience, capability and qualities.
Therefore, the notion that her candidacy to occupy any leadership position in the ANC should be linked to who she was married to should be rejected.
There are many leaders of the ANC who are, or who have, married fellow leaders and their capabilities have never been in question or linked to their marital status. They continue to be elected and recognised based on their capabilities and ability to lead the membership of the ANC who have confidence in them.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma is no exception. She rose up the ranks in exile, serving as the chairwoman of the ANC youth section in Great Britain between 1977 and 1978; vice-chairperson of the regional political committee of the ANC in Great Britain from 1978 to 1988, and chairwoman of the regional political committee of the ANC, Great Britain, between 1988 and 1989.
On her return to South Africa she served as chair of the ANC southern Natal region health committee from 1990 to 1992 and as a member of the executive committee for southern Natal region of the ANC from 1990 to 1993.
She has also among others, served as the provincial chair for ANC Women's League of KwaZulu-Natal from 1997 to 2008 and was member of the ANC national working committee (NWC) from 1998 to 2007.
These are just some of the leadership roles she has occupied within the ANC – all of which are easily verifiable with a click of the button.
The ANC should at an appropriate time elect leaders from a pool of capable leaders within the party based on their capability and leadership qualities.
The ANC has such capable leaders in abundance. Therefore, all those interrogating these issues should look at any leader of the ANC based on these criteria, not guided by their gender or marital status.
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is a member of the ANC provincial executive committee and provincial working committee in the Eastern Cape
Judge Dlamini-Zuma on her abilities, not marital status
This is understandable as the ANC remains the leader in our society and therefore many people have an interest in what happens in their political movement.
This was also the case in a recent article by Elvis Masoga carried in the Daily Dispatch on October 1 and other media outlets.
In the article, titled “Ex-wife key in roll-out of ‘Zumafication’ strategy”, the writer ignores the credible credentials and capable leadership of Dlamini-Zuma, focusing instead on the fact that she is the former wife of President Jacob Zuma.
That she is the former wife of the president of our esteemed movement, gets special mention for malicious reasons.
The article ignores all her leadership capabilities and history which are of public record.
Her ability to lead or contest any position in the ANC should be assessed on the basis of her demonstrable experience and leadership roles she has occupied in different capacities over the years, both in the ANC and in government – including in the international arena.
These roles she has executed with precision and distinction.
She is arguably one of the longest serving members of the national executive committee of the ANC and the women’s league. She has led the ANC in different capacities both in exile and post the advent of democracy in our country. She has been a member of the national executive in government as minister of health, foreign affairs and recently home affairs over many years.
It came as no surprise when her name was called out to lead the African Union Commission and we continue to celebrate her achievements to this day.
When she occupied all these positions her marital status was never a question and it remains of no relevance now.
That she was married to another capable leader of the ANC does not in any way qualify her to lead. What does is her experience, capability and qualities.
Therefore, the notion that her candidacy to occupy any leadership position in the ANC should be linked to who she was married to should be rejected.
There are many leaders of the ANC who are, or who have, married fellow leaders and their capabilities have never been in question or linked to their marital status. They continue to be elected and recognised based on their capabilities and ability to lead the membership of the ANC who have confidence in them.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma is no exception. She rose up the ranks in exile, serving as the chairwoman of the ANC youth section in Great Britain between 1977 and 1978; vice-chairperson of the regional political committee of the ANC in Great Britain from 1978 to 1988, and chairwoman of the regional political committee of the ANC, Great Britain, between 1988 and 1989.
On her return to South Africa she served as chair of the ANC southern Natal region health committee from 1990 to 1992 and as a member of the executive committee for southern Natal region of the ANC from 1990 to 1993.
She has also among others, served as the provincial chair for ANC Women's League of KwaZulu-Natal from 1997 to 2008 and was member of the ANC national working committee (NWC) from 1998 to 2007.
These are just some of the leadership roles she has occupied within the ANC – all of which are easily verifiable with a click of the button.
The ANC should at an appropriate time elect leaders from a pool of capable leaders within the party based on their capability and leadership qualities.
The ANC has such capable leaders in abundance. Therefore, all those interrogating these issues should look at any leader of the ANC based on these criteria, not guided by their gender or marital status.
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is a member of the ANC provincial executive committee and provincial working committee in the Eastern Cape
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