Mmamoloko Nkhensani Kubayi, who has raised her hand to replace David Mabuza as ANC deputy president at this year’s party conference, does not accept the dualism that one either has to support radical economic transformation or renewal.

Kubayi is so far the only woman who has publicly announced her availability for the ANC’s second-most powerful position. The position has in the post-1994 ANC tradition meant that the incumbent becomes the deputy president of the country if the party wins an election...