Not too long ago I was part of a popular but controversial table conversation about whether South Africa was ready for its first black female president.
My willingness to participate was based on the assumption that it is crucial for those advocating progressive politics to engage and educate on the urgent need to end patriarchal and sexist domination.
Those who believe male domination should end and women take over must find ways to make their voices heard.
I agree fully that the ANC Women’s League has the calibre of women to do the job of the country’s president, but there is a tendency for many detractors to presume the ANC and its women’s league are the last places to look.
After the local government elections, Nkandla, and #FeesMustFall among others, an increasing number of men and women are hostile to the ANC and everything it represents. Those who put forward the idea that neither President Jacob Zuma nor Bathabile Dlamini are the be-all and end-all of the ANC or its women’s league are yelled at and not allowed to amplify their views.
But the idea that removing either Zuma or Dlamini will solve the ANC’s problems is inaccurate and disingenuous.
However, it was agreed around our table, to look at a potential list of candidates objectively for sanity to prevail.
Of course, there was strong disagreement over some of the names, but these had to be critically examined.
The first was parliament’s speaker, Baleka Mbete. Her name was immediately rejected with consistent hostility.
Some around the table refused to accept that someone who has allegedly failed to bring order to parliament could run the country. Worse, they see Mbete as a Zuma lackey.
Then a middle-aged woman tried to present the case of former AU chair, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. They spoke of her experience and success in various cabinet posts and how she has managed to restore a measure of credibility to the AU.
Again, this was challenged with people focusing on her association with uBaba and her age. Of course, the latter was challenged but people insisted that the country was crying for someone who did not have baggage and who would resonate with the youth.
Then someone introduced the name of Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Ngqakula. People around the table stared at each other blankly, wondering why she had been mentioned.
Nevertheless, there were attempts to conscientise others about the significance of a woman who had headed defence. But the idea of betrayal by the MK Military Vets came up and this was confused with her profile.
An uncomfortable silence descended on the table for some moments.
Finally, a former exile with insight and knowledge of the history and dynamics of the ANC raised a mystery candidate.
This person spoke of a humble and self-effacing woman who was considered to be of the original ANC stock as perhaps the best choice.
The speaker prefaced the suggestion by remarking that the candidate was intuitively connected to the ANC, came from political royalty, was highly educated and articulate. Above all, she was a leader in her own right and did not need the crutches of her family name and background.
She holds a PhD from York University and is currently busy with her second PhD through Leeds University.
At this point, the table sat in stunned silence. People were intrigued and started tapping on the table, ordering another round of drinks. They demanded to know: who is this woman? Does the ANC and its women’s league have such an individual? Why has she been kept under wraps?
The questions were coming quick and fast. For a moment, the conversation struggled to stayed focused, so great was the suspense.
Then the former exile blurted out her name: Dr Lindiwe Sisulu!
It was clear very few could argue against this nomination. People began to talk about her character, style, grace, beauty, wit and intellectual rigour. This implied she could stand in her own right, without being linked to her struggle veteran parents, Walter and Albertina Sisulu.
There was unanimous agreement at the table that her personal record spoke for itself. Among her many achievements, she was one of the few female cadres to have actively participated in the Kempton Park negotiations in the early 1990s. She chaired the intelligence committee during the negotiations.
This saw her rise to serve under no fewer than four presidents – Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma – and she has done outstanding work.
She was also the first woman in the world to be a Minister of Intelligence and a Minister of Defence. In a patriarchal society this was unprecedented.
She then went on to hold a ministerial position in public administration and currently heads up human settlements.
She is also Chancellor of Mangosuthu University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal. Curiously, much as she holds the position of general in the MK Vets, she has never boasted or made a noise about her military profile.
The injection of her name into the conversation about a woman president for the ANC, women’s league and country seemed to rejuvenate what was being dismissed as a dead subject.
The response at the table suggested there is an urgent need to identify women both inside and outside the ANC whose profiles and integrity represent hope and potential for transformation in national and continental politics.
No one could explain why this bright star in the ANC seemed to have fallen through the cracks. But the fact is, in a world where some people thrive on position and media attention, it can be very easy to overlook the real stars.
However, it is said that there is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of a burning candle. Nobody knows if Dr Lindiwe Sisulu has the desire to be the first black female president of the republic. What is clear is that here is a woman with passion and principled commitment to improving the lives of the majority and to hoisting the African flag at international forums.
After her name was discussed, the table insisted we change the subject. The point had been made: Sisulu must be considered as one of the best candidates for the presidency in South Africa!
Sandile Memela is a journalist, writer, cultural critic and civil servant. He writers in his personal capacity.
Lindiwe has what it takes
My willingness to participate was based on the assumption that it is crucial for those advocating progressive politics to engage and educate on the urgent need to end patriarchal and sexist domination.
Those who believe male domination should end and women take over must find ways to make their voices heard.
I agree fully that the ANC Women’s League has the calibre of women to do the job of the country’s president, but there is a tendency for many detractors to presume the ANC and its women’s league are the last places to look.
After the local government elections, Nkandla, and #FeesMustFall among others, an increasing number of men and women are hostile to the ANC and everything it represents. Those who put forward the idea that neither President Jacob Zuma nor Bathabile Dlamini are the be-all and end-all of the ANC or its women’s league are yelled at and not allowed to amplify their views.
But the idea that removing either Zuma or Dlamini will solve the ANC’s problems is inaccurate and disingenuous.
However, it was agreed around our table, to look at a potential list of candidates objectively for sanity to prevail.
Of course, there was strong disagreement over some of the names, but these had to be critically examined.
The first was parliament’s speaker, Baleka Mbete. Her name was immediately rejected with consistent hostility.
Some around the table refused to accept that someone who has allegedly failed to bring order to parliament could run the country. Worse, they see Mbete as a Zuma lackey.
Then a middle-aged woman tried to present the case of former AU chair, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. They spoke of her experience and success in various cabinet posts and how she has managed to restore a measure of credibility to the AU.
Again, this was challenged with people focusing on her association with uBaba and her age. Of course, the latter was challenged but people insisted that the country was crying for someone who did not have baggage and who would resonate with the youth.
Then someone introduced the name of Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Ngqakula. People around the table stared at each other blankly, wondering why she had been mentioned.
Nevertheless, there were attempts to conscientise others about the significance of a woman who had headed defence. But the idea of betrayal by the MK Military Vets came up and this was confused with her profile.
An uncomfortable silence descended on the table for some moments.
Finally, a former exile with insight and knowledge of the history and dynamics of the ANC raised a mystery candidate.
This person spoke of a humble and self-effacing woman who was considered to be of the original ANC stock as perhaps the best choice.
The speaker prefaced the suggestion by remarking that the candidate was intuitively connected to the ANC, came from political royalty, was highly educated and articulate. Above all, she was a leader in her own right and did not need the crutches of her family name and background.
She holds a PhD from York University and is currently busy with her second PhD through Leeds University.
At this point, the table sat in stunned silence. People were intrigued and started tapping on the table, ordering another round of drinks. They demanded to know: who is this woman? Does the ANC and its women’s league have such an individual? Why has she been kept under wraps?
The questions were coming quick and fast. For a moment, the conversation struggled to stayed focused, so great was the suspense.
Then the former exile blurted out her name: Dr Lindiwe Sisulu!
It was clear very few could argue against this nomination. People began to talk about her character, style, grace, beauty, wit and intellectual rigour. This implied she could stand in her own right, without being linked to her struggle veteran parents, Walter and Albertina Sisulu.
There was unanimous agreement at the table that her personal record spoke for itself. Among her many achievements, she was one of the few female cadres to have actively participated in the Kempton Park negotiations in the early 1990s. She chaired the intelligence committee during the negotiations.
This saw her rise to serve under no fewer than four presidents – Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma – and she has done outstanding work.
She was also the first woman in the world to be a Minister of Intelligence and a Minister of Defence. In a patriarchal society this was unprecedented.
She then went on to hold a ministerial position in public administration and currently heads up human settlements.
She is also Chancellor of Mangosuthu University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal. Curiously, much as she holds the position of general in the MK Vets, she has never boasted or made a noise about her military profile.
The injection of her name into the conversation about a woman president for the ANC, women’s league and country seemed to rejuvenate what was being dismissed as a dead subject.
The response at the table suggested there is an urgent need to identify women both inside and outside the ANC whose profiles and integrity represent hope and potential for transformation in national and continental politics.
No one could explain why this bright star in the ANC seemed to have fallen through the cracks. But the fact is, in a world where some people thrive on position and media attention, it can be very easy to overlook the real stars.
However, it is said that there is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of a burning candle. Nobody knows if Dr Lindiwe Sisulu has the desire to be the first black female president of the republic. What is clear is that here is a woman with passion and principled commitment to improving the lives of the majority and to hoisting the African flag at international forums.
After her name was discussed, the table insisted we change the subject. The point had been made: Sisulu must be considered as one of the best candidates for the presidency in South Africa!
Sandile Memela is a journalist, writer, cultural critic and civil servant. He writers in his personal capacity.
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