The ANC Youth and Women’s leagues have gathered at the O.R Tambo International Airport to welcome back former African Union Commission chairwoman Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

The two leagues drew attention at the airport as they sang their various struggle songs ahead of Dlamini-Zuma’s arrival.

This comes as she officially handed over the baton to new chairperson of African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat‚ who is from Chad.

Mahamat was elected by AU Member States during the 28th AU Summit of Heads of State and Government in January.

Nhlanhla Nkabinde from Moses Kotane branch in Zone 10‚ Soweto said she hopes the former AU Chairperson would tackle unemployment and plough back her experience into any new role she plays in local politics.

“We are here to welcome back Mama Dlamini-Zuma as she was representing not only the ANC but also the country at the AU Commission. We are hoping that she will come up with lots of ideas of how to deal with youth unemployment in the country and I’m confident that she will do that without hesitation‚” said Nkabinde.

Another Youth League member Mosime Mosikare from ward 27 Vuyani Mabaxa branch said‚ “I’m expecting vigorous and hot leadership‚ especially when it comes to women’s issues and she needs to take charge and take lead“.

Dlamini-Zuma is the only one of the three women who has served under all the democratic presidents.

She was minister of Health (1994-1999) under Nelson Mandela and minister of Foreign Affiars (1999-2009) under presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe.

She also served as minister of Home Affairs in her ex-husband’s cabinet until May 2009 when she took office at the AU. — TMG Digital