Presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has hit back at those who raised concerns about her age as she outlines the kind of leader the ANC deserves.
Dlamini-Zuma slammed her detractors as sexist saying they have done so because there was nothing else to criticise.
Dlamini-Zuma echoed these sentiments when speaking to Weekend Argus about the type of leader the ANC ought to have as branches begin the process of nominating preferred candidates ahead of the party’s 55th conference.
“A leader should have a working mind, a working body and if age was such a factor why are they keeping me as a minister, is there anything that I was supposed to do that I didn’t do because of age?” she said.
Dlamini Zuma was set to be officially endorsed in Durban on Sunday, after petitioning branch leaders support as she prepares to go toe toe current ANC leader, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Her branch, ward 32 in central Durban, snubbed her in 2017 in favour of Ramaphosa. Dlamini-Zuma was narrowly defeated at the Nasrec conference when Ramaphosa pipped her to the post with 51.9%. of votes.
The ANC’s general secretary in ward 32, Sihle Mbongwa, has endorsed Dlamini Zuma.
The branch members were reportedly disgruntled with Dlamini Zuma in 2017 because she had failed to intervene in a dispute over a ward councillor candidate they said was imposed on them and punished her at conference.
A branch insider said the issue of the councillor was no longer a problem, and that Dlamini Zuma was their preferred presidential candidate.
A week after confirmation her availability, talk about the age of candidates vying for positions in the top six did the rounds in provinces as lobbyists negotiated over which slate to support.
The 73-year-old Dlamini-Zuma hit back at this talk stating that if she was good enough to be a cabinet minister, she was good enough to be president.
“I think it sexist because they can’t find dirt. If they had a lot of dirt they would be throwing it because they always throw all the dirt they can find (at women) but because they can’t find dirt they have to scrape the bottom of the barrel,” Dlamini-Zuma said.
While Dlamini-Zuma could not speak about her candidature due to the party’s guidelines she outlined leadership qualities required in the party’s next leader.
She said the ANC and the country were in a desperate need for an “ethical and transparent leader who was independent”.
“We need a leader who is courageous, dependable, decisive, hard working and caring. But we also need a leader who is ethical and a leader who understands that they don’t have the monopoly of ideas, they must also listen to other people and must work within a collective to strengthen both the ANC and the country.
“We need a leader who tells the truth, who hides nothing from the masses and who is able to explain whatever decision to the people,” Dlamini-Zuma said, seemingly taking a swipe at Ramaphosa and the criticism he’s received over his response to queries over the Phala Phala farm robbery saga.
She also spoke about challenges grappling the country including crime, gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, transforming and restructuring the economy and supporting an independent and impartial judiciary.
As provinces continued to pronounce their preferred slates for the top six, concerns have been raised about the lack of support for women.
At least two other women have confirmed they would contest positions in the top six including Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi for deputy president and Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu who reportedly being considered for ANC president.
While the pair did not respond to request for comment, those lobbying branches to support them, said they would not be deterred by the “boys clubs” mentality at provincial leadership level.
A Western Cape-based member who forms part of Kubayi’s campaign, who asked not to be named, said lobbying for the Gauteng MP was on track.
“There are men who are trying to take up the space and we will not be scared by provincial announcements from a group 30 of individuals. Our campaign is on the ground we are mobilizing branches,” she said.
Meanwhile an Ekurhuleni based ANC member in support of Sisulu, Loyiso Capa, said Sisulu was a tried and tested leader.
Limpopo ANC, Eastern Cape and Gauteng have all announced their support of preferred candidates to make the top six with Ramaphosa.
Dlamini-Zuma’s intention to run for president received mixed reactions from political analysts.
Analyst professor Andre Duvenhage said Dlamini-Zuma was the best choice for those believed to be aligned with the so called radical economic transformation faction.
“NDZ is the best choice and we know she has established structures around her, she has influential people that can add from the side of the system because the ANC is in financial trouble,” Duvenhage said.
He said Dlamini-Zuma was placed in a good position to be a “unifying factor”.
Another analyst Lukhanyo Vangqa said: “The patriarchal nature of the ANC is bubbling to the surface once again. However almost all the men that have put up their hands to lead have received support,” he said.
“Age seems to be one sided although its a relevant factor because we have a fossilizing leadership in this country. Our leaders are too old to be energetic and give new ideas for the old problems that we face as a country.
“The issue of age is weaponised against women and this is symptomatic of the patriarchal nature of the organisation” Vangqa said.