17 January 2007

Dlamini-Zuma could well be victorious

in News by unknown

- MAX SISULU, 57 He is one of the ANC's economic tsars, a chief strategist and policymaker. Previously the ANC's Chief Whip in Parliament, Sisulu is highly respected by the party's top brass. Despite coming from one of the most prominent ANC families, he is a behind-the-scenes player. But he remains an essential part of Mbeki's generation of leaders. Since being "redeployed" as chief executive of Denel, he has fallen off the political radar screen. Pic. Supplied. © Unknown.

- MAVIVI MYAKAYAKAMANZINI, 46 One of SA's most prominent champions of women's rights, the former student activist commands respect in almost all ANC structures. She heads its influential international affairs desk, which helps direct SA's foreign affairs policy. Her most recent tasks included ensuring that ANC branches were restructured in line with the new demarcated zones, and preparing them for the conference. Pic. by Sydney Seshibedi. 26/11/02. © ST.

- DUMISANI MAKHAYE, 47 Hate him or like him, he is making an impact on the highest echelons of the ANC. The firebrand has positioned himself as the party's foremost Left-basher. Makhaye is also a thorn in the flesh of the IFP, which resulted in his being booted out of the KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet. ANC branches have nominated him for the NEC, while other activists believe he is best suited to succeed Thenjiwe Mtintso as the party's deputy secretary-general. Pic: Katherine Muick. 22/10/02. © ST.

- Sharp suiter hits the target: LOOKING at this 1994 snap, who would have thought that Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, ANC MP and minister, would end up a snappy dresser? Her wardrobe and career received a much-needed boost when she became the foreign affairs minister. As health minister, Dlamini-Zuma sported ugly "aunty" traditional garb, but since moving up the ladder she has been transformed into a snazzy dresser in stylish power suits and trendy handbags. Pic. Robert Botha. © ST.

- Christina Mpupumiso, the domestic worker who worked for Elna Boesak and was dismissed without notice. She took Elna and Allan to the Labour Court in an attempt to recover R1 300 she claims they owed her. Pic: Ambrose Peters. 16/9/02. © ST.

- PHILLIP DEXTER, 40 He represents what ANC activists call a "wellrounded comrade". He is a former exile, unionist, MP and member of the NEC. Such experience should be a passport for a return to the NEC, but his standing in the SACP as national treasurer could count against him. Dexter turned Nehawu into an influential player in the public service. He heads the National Economic Development and Labour Council. Pic. Robbie Tshabalala. © Financial Mail.

- MEMBATHISI MDLADLANA, 50 He has observer status on the NEC by virtue of his Cabinet post but is likely to be voted in. He has earned respect as Labour Minister, pioneering legislation on skills development, employment equity, farm workers and domestic workers. Mdladlana has been one of Thabo Mbeki' point men on the sticky issue of Zimbabwe. He serves on the ANC's disciplinary committee. Pic. Trevor Samson. © ST.

- THABANG MAKWETLA, 45 One of the last members of the ANC Youth League in exile, and part of the party's 1976 generation, Makwetla is highly respected for his exploits as a commander of ANC underground structures in Botswana. After 1990 he became one of the youngest members of the NEC. His stature grew when the ANC sent him to Mpumalanga to rein in its loosetongued Premier, Ndaweni Mahlangu. Pic. Terry Shean. © ST.

- POPO MOLEFE, 50 He comes with a wealth of experience that includes Black Consciousness Movement activism and being national secretary of the now-defunct United Democratic Front. Molefe has managed not to stray too far from Mbeki's inner circle, while still managing to attract the admiration of the Left. He trounced MP Thandi Modise by nearly a third of the total number of votes for the North West provincial chairmanship. Pic. Cathy Pinnock. © ST.

- DAVID MAKHURA, 31 Makhura rose from the union movement to become the ANC's Gauteng provincial secretary this year. His political initiation comes largely from serving as president of the SA Students' Congress and deputy secretary-general of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union. After the ANC disbanded its Gauteng provincial council last year, Makhura was appointed as fulltime co-ordinator for the interim leadership core. Pic. Bonile Bam. © BDFM.

- Sharp suiter hits the target LOOKING at this 1994 snap, who would have thought that Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, ANC MP and minister, would end up a snappy dresser? Her wardrobe and career received a much-needed boost when she became the foreign affairs minister. As health minister, Dlamini-Zuma sported ugly "aunty" traditional garb, but since moving up the ladder she has been transformed into a snazzy dresser in stylish power suits and trendy handbags

- SANKIE MTHEMBI-MAHANYELE, 51 She has emerged as a frontrunner for the deputy secretary-general position as indications grow that the incumbent, Thenjiwe Mtintso, will step down. That Housing Minister Mthembi-Mahanyele has been identified as a potential successor points to her standing within the ANC. In the early 1990s, she was one of the party's key spokesmen and a negotiator at Codesa. Pic. Robert Botha. © BDFM.

- ALLAN BOESAK 56: He is controversial, explosive and an ex-convict, but remains popular among generations of ANC activists. He surprised everyone this week when his name popped up on the lists of ANC hopefuls for the NEC with the backing of the party's top leadership. While his career in the ANC has been dented by his imprisonment for stealing donor funds, the dent has not been severe enough to discount a comeback. Pic. Ambrose Peters. © ST.

- Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Pic. Mbuzeni Zulu. 20/11/06. © Sowetan.

- THINGS CHANGE: Nelson Mandela left Thabo Mbeki with a vibrant, united and focused organisation. Pic. Sydney Seshibedi. 10/12/2002. © Sunday Times.

- WORLD PLAYER: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma with former US secretary of state Colin Powell. US Secretary of State Colin Powell and SA foreign minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma talking at the press conference at the Presidential guest house. 9/7/03. Pic. by Sydney Seshibedi. © ST.

- United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, South African President Thabo Mbeki and Nkosazana Zuma at the Opening of the Racism Conference in Durban. Pic: Richard Shorey.

- ENOCH GODONGWANA, 47 He represents what many describe as the changing nature of the ANC. Before his appointment to the Finance, Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism portfolio in the Eastern Cape, he was one of the fiercest critics of the Growth, Employment and Redistribution strategy. Since his appointment in 1997, Godongwana has helped rid the province of corruption and has brought its treasury to life. © ST

- NATHI NHLEKO, 38 He emerged from the shadows of the National Assembly - he has been a member since 1994 - to take up the post of ANC Chief Whip after Tony Yengeni's fall from grace. Although an active member of Parliament, chairing the Public Service and Administration portfolio committee, Nhleko had a low profile until his appointment in May. His province, KwaZulu- Natal, has thrown its weight behind his nomination. © Unknown.

- Christina Mpupumiso, the maid who worked for Elna Boesak and was dismissed without notice. She took Elna and Allan to the Labour Court in an attempt to recover R1 300 she claims they owed her. Pic: Ambrose Peters. 16/9/02. © ST.

- NO EXCUSE: Allan Boesak. Pic. Robert botha. © BD.

- NGOAKO RAMATLHODI, 48 A protégé of the late ANC president Oliver Tambo, Ramatlhodi has long been viewed as a rising star in the ANC. A lawyer by profession, he said to have been identified by the ANC's then exiled leadership as an activist deserving of grooming. In the mid-1980s, he headed the party's political and military council Zimbabwe. Ramatlhodi lost his Limpopo chairmanship but regained it in style. Pic. Sydney Seshibedi. © ST.

- MALUSI GIGABA, 31 He is easily dismissed by many as a misdirected loudmouth whose favourite pastime is mimicking Mbeki. However, his role quite decisive. When Defence Minister and ANC chairman Mosiuoa Lekota argued that all positions in the ANC leadership be open for contest, Gigaba intervened. The son of an Anglican priest and nurse, he joined the ANC after it was unbanned 1990, and rose through the student movement. Pic. Elizabeth Sejake. © ST.

- GWEDE MANTASHE, 47 A sure trump card for the embattled Left, he is set to make his maiden appearance in the NEC. His ability to speak his mind and yet remain sensitive has earned respect within the ANC leadership. Mantashe has risen through the ranks of the National Union of Mineworkers, the biggest trade union in South Africa, to become its general secretary. He is also a member of the SACP's elite central committee and its politburo. Pic. Robert Botha. © BDFM.

- PHUMZILE MLAMBONGCUKA, 48 Since being entrusted with one of the most sensitive portfolios, to transform the mining industry, she has emerged as one of the most influential ministers in Mbeki's Cabinet. She marketed herself as a skilled negotiator, bringing the plight of developing gold-producing countries to the forefront during the Gold Summit four years ago. She has been a key thinker behind ANC policies on social and economic transformation. Pic: Bonile Bam. 11/7/02. © ST.

- WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA, 66 Despite being weighed down by allegations of corruption and facing disciplinary action by Parliament's ethics committee, Madikizela-Mandela remains one of the ANCs most popular people. Even her run-ins with Mbeki have not eroded her support. The ANC, particularly Deputy President Jacob Zuma, has failed to deal with thorny issues concerning her and she has been effectively sidelined. Pic: Joe Sefale. 23/4/01. © ST.

- NOSIVIWE MAPISANQAKULA, 46 Although perceived overly ambitious by many in the senior structures the party, Mapisa-Nqakula has become a leading light. Less than a month after being appointed Chief Whip in Parliament, ridded it of many lazy ANC MPs. Her no-nonsense approach was recognised and Mbeki appointed Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, a volatile ministry that has not known peace since 1994. Pic. Trevor Samson. © BD

- THINGS CHANGE: Nelson Mandela left Thabo Mbeki with a vibrant, united and focused organisation. Pic. Sydney Seshibedi. 10/12/2002. © Sunday Times.

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With the ANC set to elect its new leadership later this year, the succession debate has gained a new impetus with more names being thrown into the hat as potential candidates for the leader of the party and the president of the country.

One of the names being bandied about is Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. She might not be the front-runner, but presidential races have at times defied predictions and logic - with dark horses emerging victorious.

Dlamini-Zuma is not a charismatic politician who rouses the masses or has them eating out of her hand. She prefers to keep a low profile while efficiently going about her duty.

She cut her political teeth under President Nelson Mandela as the first health minister of a nonracial South Africa. During her tenure in this position she did not win herself many friends. Her mediocre performance was dealt a further blow by the Sarafina controversy.

But her political star rose when President Thabo Mbeki appointed her foreign affairs minister in 1999. This senior appointment took many political observers and analysts by surprise.

But the appointment transformed her. She exudes confidence and her dress sense has improved.

Dlamini-Zuma has traversed the globe representing her country. She has been tasked with solving difficult problems facing Africa. Through her efforts the country's foreign policy has been well received in Europe and the US.

When she appears on television to brief viewers on her interventions, she does so with clarity and confidence, carefully choosing her words.

Anyone wishing to ascend to the ANC presidency and that of the country must have the support of all the ANC structures and its alliance partners. These would include the women and youth leagues, the feuding Sanco, the quarrelsome SACP and Cosatu.

Having spent most of her time outside the country she might not have allies in these structures, but what is important is that she does not have enemies either.

The other point in her favour is that as foreign affairs minister she has not been involved in controversies and scandals, except for when she dismissed charges against former Ambassador Norman Mashabane, who was accused of sexual harassment.

She has also kept her distance from the scandals of her ex-husband Jacob Zuma. She declined the deputy presidency when Mbeki offered it to her after Zuma was axed. The move could be seen as an indication of her modesty while prepared to continue serving her country with loyalty as foreign affairs minister. It could also be seen by Zuma fans as a sign of loyalty to their idol. On the other hand, she might still have to contend with those very supporters if they continue to support Zuma's candidacy.

Last year Mbeki said that his successor should be a woman. Dlamini-Zuma's victory would be a triumph for South Africa's women who, though making steady progress in many areas, are still regarded by some as not yet being ready to lead the country.

l Phil Mtimkhulu is a lecturer at the University of South Africa.