Phil Mtimkulu's article on Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma makes for interesting reading and analysis. He makes the point that "she prefers to keep a low profile while efficiently going about her duty".

Phil Mtimkulu's article on Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma makes for interesting reading and analysis. He makes the point that "she prefers to keep a low profile while efficiently going about her duty".

But Mtimkulu fails to examine this point further when he says "her mediocre performance [as health minister] was dealt a further blow by the Sarafina saga".

Dlamini-Zuma's record as health minister was far from mediocre. She was responsible for some of the most progressive health legislation in the country and her achievements were unprecedented.

She pioneered legislation that gave greater access to medical care for pregnant women and children under the age of six. She pioneered legislation on the reproductive rights of women, which culminated in the Termination of Pregnancy Act.

Dlamini-Zuma was the first minister to launch pioneering research into HIV-Aids.

She took on the full might of the tobacco industry. Today we all appreciate smoke-free zones.

She took on the pharmaceutical industry and exposed its greed, profiteering and malpractices to secure affordable medicine.

Her exchange programme with Cuba has grown the pool of medically trained staff .

This small sample of achievements seeks to point out that Mtimkulu's claims have no basis.

Sandile Luthuli, Kwa-Dukuza