ANC NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017 - N D ITI O
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AFRICA’S BEST READ
ION
D IT
L E
CIA
PE
S December 20 2017 @mailandguardian mg.co.za
ANC NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017
68
2 Mail & Guardian Special Edition December 20 2017
ANC National Conference
#SLICEOFLIFE
Cyril, he’s a man of the people
I’ve been a driver for 15 years. I started in 2002 because I
wanted to travel.
I’ve travelled through the whole SADC region and even now I
am still travelling.
I have had a lot of memorable trips in this job and worked
with many different people.
During the 2010 Soccer World Cup I transported the Korean
team as well. We didn’t speak much because English was a bit
of a problem.
Even Cyril Ramaphosa, I have worked with him. Every year
he has a gathering with all the students on his scholarship at
his game reserve in Bela Bela and this year I transported them
there.
He’s a very interesting guy and he cares about people.
He’s the kind of person who won’t just pass you by without
acknowledging you.
We thought because we were just drivers he would just pass
us. But I was surprised when he came to us directly and shook
hands with us.
He wanted to know who we were and where we came from.
He asked about our journey of bringing his students there.
It’s not often that people who are in his position of status do
something like that.
Actually, let me say they don’t do it at all.
They will see you and think, “Argh he’s just a driver”, and it
ends there.
But he took it upon himself to come to us.
To come to us.
Not that we go to him.
I’m not into politics so I can’t say much about him winning
the presidential election.
What I do understand is that he’s a good person in and of
himself. I think he can take that goodness that he applies in
his personal life and spread it to the country. That would be
alright. — Thabo Mashile as told to Tebogo Tshwane
Photo: Delwyn Verasamy
The best of Twitter from day three
Mail & Guardian Special Edition December 20 2017 3
ANC National Conference
Nasrec 68 turn election on its head
The contest is back on
as David Mabuza fights
for delegates left off
the voters’ roll, which
probably secured Ace
Magashule a place
among the top six
M&G Political Reporters
ith the “Nasrec 68”
W seemingly hold-
ing the fate of the
ANC secretary
general post in
their hands, newly elected ANC dep-
uty president David Mabuza sprung
a surprise when he reportedly came
out in support of former KwaZulu-
Natal premier Senzo Mchunu.
The Mail & Guardian has learnt
that during the ANC national confer-
ence steering committee meeting to
find a solution for the “Nasrec 68”,
Mabuza supported those who had
called for their votes to be included
in the tally of all candidates who con-
tested the top six positions.
The steering committee failed to
resolve the impasse, instead leaving
it up to the main plenary with ordi-
nary delegates to decide.
The 68 were initially part of the
more than 500 delegates disquali-
fied during the vetting of credentials.
Soon after, the 68 were cleared as Mixed signals: Nkosazana
legitimate delegates and categorised Dlamini-Zuma supporters sing
as special voting delegates because and dance (above), former
there was not enough time to put KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo
them on the voters’ roll before elec- Mchunu (left) sits amid a group
tions took place. of CR17 supporters and a
The lawyers for the Nasrec 68 are delegate (below) indicates his
understood to have given the ANC belief in the need for unity in the
until 6pm on Tuesday to include ANC. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy
the votes or face legal action. It is
not clear whether the party met the The error allegedly arose from the
deadline, but voting for the NEC revision of credentials on Saturday.
additional members was delayed last The 68 members were among the
night after only 400 delegates had KwaZulu-Natal branches disquali-
cast their votes. At the time of writ- fied during the dispute and verifica-
ing, provincial secretaries had been tion period a week before the confer-
called into another steering commit- ence. They were readmitted when
tee meeting by the top leadership. An the credentials committee confirmed
SMS message circulating among del- their legitimacy on Saturday.
egates claimed there had been mis- The EleXions agency also recom-
takes on the ballot papers. mended adding the 68 delegates’ bal-
The committee consists of the lots to the results, the leader said, but
party’s secretariat and chairpersons it had left the final decision up to the
of provinces and leagues. The debate committee.
about the 68 delegates was the first Mabuza’s about-turn in Tuesday’s
sign of division in the newly elected meeting was not the first time he has
leadership, which comprises three broken ranks with what used to be
members from each faction’s slate. known as the “premier league” — an
It delayed NEC voting for most of alliance between the chairpersons
Tuesday. of KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, North
Mabuza was supported by treas- in even further, demanding that the West and Mpumalanga.
urer general Paul Mashatile, national credential process be re-run along At the policy conference,
chairperson Gwede Mantashe with the election. Mahumapelo and KwaZulu-Natal
and several other provinces. The “We are in support of the entire chairperson Sihle Zikalala led the
Mpumalanga ANC chairperson was top six of the ANC. If these were to be debate on land redistribution with-
thought to be closer to Nkosazana included, credentials will have to be out compensation. Mabuza argued
Dlamini-Zuma, Free State Premier done all over again as they are not on that land should only be redistrib-
Ace Magashule and North West legitimate voters roll,” said KwaZulu- uted within the parameters of the
Premier Supra Mahumapelo in the Natal ANC Youth League chairper- Constitution.
run-up to the conference. son Kwazi Mshengu. He was also accused by Dlamini-
Mchunu was on newly elected ANC On Tuesday the ANC Women’s Zuma’s backers at the conference of
president Cyril Ramaphosa’s slate League accused Mabuza of “using” instructing 353 delegates from 223
and was instrumental in splitting Dlamini-Zuma’s campaign to secure branches in Mpumalanga, who nom-
KwaZulu-Natal’s vote. senior positions in the party. inated “unity” on their ballot papers,
But in the steering committee The majority of the 68 votes are to vote for Ramaphosa.
meeting Mabuza disagreed with from KwaZulu-Natal and appear to With Mabuza’s intervention fail-
Mahumapelo, who was pushing for favour Mchunu. If added they could ing in the steering committee,
a re-election if the 68 votes were to swing the outcome for the secretary Ramaphosa’s supporters geared
be included. Mahumapelo, who was general’s position, given that the dif- the 68 delegates were legitimately racy of the ANC. up to win the debate in the main
backed by Water Affairs Minister ference between votes for Mchunu mandated to attend conference and “The NDZ guys were resisting plenary.
Nomvula Mokonyane, has warned and Magashule is 24. were left off the voters’ roll through the proposal to count the [Nasrec] “We have the numbers to push
the Ramaphosa supporters that if Magashule’s supporters refused a technical mistake by the elections 68’s votes and add them because this in plenary,” said a Ramaphosa
they continue pushing for inclusion the proposal, demanding a re-elec- agency, EleXions. they know the result. Most of those supporting delegate from KwaZulu-
of the 68 votes, his province will tion of the top six if the 68 votes were Denying them the right to vote, one guys left out are from the Abaqulusi Natal. “The branches want Senzo and
demand a re-run of the election. The to be added to the final tallies. of Mchunu’s supporters said, would region, which is Senzo’s stronghold,” we are ready to deal with this on the
KwaZulu-Natal leadership has dug Mchunu’s supporters argued that be subverting the internal democ- a provincial leader told the M&G. floor.”
4 Mail & Guardian Special Edition December 20 2017
ANC National Conference
Jong-un is
NDZ’s homie
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma rubbed shoulders
with representatives of the US’s sworn enemy
Govan Whittles lons of the party when delegates met
to discuss policy.
hreatening your friends The North Korean government’s
T with “fire and fury” is not
nice. Calling them “short
and fat” is even worse.
It’s the kind of thing that,
well, may leave your friends wanting
to unfriend you. Or maybe even sen-
tence you to death.
foremost representative in Southern
Africa, Yong Man-ho, has spent
the last week in discussions with
the ANC’s top leaders, including
Dlamini-Zuma and senior interna-
tional relations department officials.
Seated at a table at the Nasrec
Going ballistic: North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong-un celebrates a recent missile launch. His envoy to
South Africa, Yong Man-ho, attended the ANC national conference. Photo: KCNA/via Reuters
its citizens of democracy — call- other issues of common interest”. that the ANC “continues to monitor
Thus fares the relationship expo centre with Dlamini-Zuma on ing on the ANC to join its campaign “As the ANC celebrates this week’s developments in North Korea”.
between United States President Friday afternoon, Yong was accom- to isolate the government of the exercise in democracy, we note that Sangonii added that the December
Donald Trump and North Korea’s panied by three other embassy staff Democratic People’s Republic of democracy has been systemati- conference would be the perfect
Kim Jong-un. and laughed during his discussion Korea. cally denied to the people of North place for decisions on North Korea to
If only they could follow the with the former African Union “It is, of course, up to ANC leaders Korea, as have their basic freedoms be made.
example of former African Union chairperson, an official in the ANC’s to invite whomever they wish to an and human rights,” the US embassy Yong Man-ho flew to Mozambique
Commission chairperson Nkosazana international relations sub-commit- internal party event. That said, iso- spokesperson noted. in October when a North Korean
Dlamini-Zuma, who was in a decid- tee said. lating the North Korean regime is In response, the ANC’s former embassy official was arrested there
edly chipper mood and shared a South Africa established bilat- a top priority for the United States, international relations sub-commit- after being found in possession of
chuckle with the Supreme Leader’s eral relations with North Korea in and a key element to maintain- tee chairperson, Edna Molewa, said rhino horn.
representative attending the ANC’s 1998 after hosting the Non-Aligned ing peace and stability worldwide,” it “regularly invites the diplomatic Two years before that, in December
54th congress. Movement Summit and, in 2013, acting US embassy spokesperson corps to its programmes and events” 2015, a high-ranking North Korean
The ANC extended an invitation to international relations deputy minis- Caroline Schneider told the Mail & and “continues to monitor develop- diplomat was expelled from South
the entire diplomatic corps in South ter Ebrahim Ebrahim travelled to the Guardian. ments in North Korea”. Africa for allegedly using his diplo-
Africa, which also included the US, country to strengthen the ties. She added that the US government ANC spokesperson Khusela matic bag, supplied by the embassy,
but it was the North Korean officials But the US believes that North looks forward to “working with all the Sangoni said “the US will not dictate to smuggle rhino horn out of the
who gained access to the upper eche- Korea is systematically depriving new ANC party leadership on this and to us who our friends will be” and country.
Good times – and good business – outside Nasrec
Thulebona Mhlanga ence. But we did run out of ice twice
& Tebogo Tshwane and we had to order around six times
our normal stock on Saturday. The
No accreditation? No problem. one machine we use to produce ice
There’s another world outside the was not enough” said Gwala.
Nasrec expo centre where a huge The garage is not only a refuge
number of ANC branch members, for hungry, thirsty comrades but
local business people and residents also eager branch members who
have found their own way to be part have come to watch from the
of the conference frenzy. side-lines.
The arrival of 4 776 delegates, for “We are ready for Nkosazana” is
the 54th ANC national elective con- the background chant for motorists
ference on Saturday, has changed filling up their cars at the garage,
the face of Rand Show Road to black, which has become the camping
green and gold. spot for Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
The young boys of Ormonde View, supporters.
who would normally spend their Gladys Nkosi, member of the Zone
days loitering on street corners, have 4, Meadowlands, women’s league,
turned into car guards for the fleet of said she came to witness Dlamini-
cars, taxis and buses that have come Zuma take her “God-given” position
from all around the country. as the leader of the ANC.
The high demand for parking has “God chose her while she was still
turned front lawns into prime real in her mother’s womb so that she can
estate where parking spots go for deliver the people of South Africa out
R100 a pop, even if it is only for two of the poverty that they are in to the
minutes. Promised Land,” said Nkosi.
“We make over R1 000 a day,” said Seemingly God had other plans —
Sabelo Mzulwini. Cyril Ramaphosa snatched the posi-
He said they aren’t the only ones tion of ANC president.
benefiting. Traffic marshals ensure Nkosi said they were determined
that the roads are not congested and Trading places: Rand Show Road, outside the Nasrec centre where the ANC national conference is taking to stay at the garage until the results
residents are not inconvenienced. place, has been transformed into a hub of business activities, including food stalls. Photo: Oupa Nkosi were announced — “even if they
The mood is festive as ANC strug- came out at 3am, we are used to it”.
gle songs in the background compete much money he has spent on opera- other ladies to be at the business best of them all — and highly con- The American fast-food chain
with the sounds of Anita Baker’s You tions, but said he had “put a serious expo.” tested and highly businesslike and Burger King also made a killing and
Bring Me Joy from a recently-opened investment, you know high invest- One can wear ANC branded gear everyone is interested in the out- its Nasrec supervisor, Josephine
chill-out spot called Nasrec Gate 5 ment and we’re hoping to get a from head to toe for R1 100. Unisex come,” said Nngake. Mogedile, said that sales figures dou-
Chillas at the corner of Albertos and return on our investment”. T-shirts are sold for R300, leather Describing the mood he said: bled since Saturday.
Rand Show Road. As it happens the ANC conference jackets and tracksuits will set a ten- “I think it’s quite phenomenal. We “The Double Whopper with cheese,
A leaflet put out by the owner, coincides with his birthday and he derpreneur back R600 and the caps are seeing small businesses get- costing R71.90, has been the most
Fezile Nondonga, reads: “Will be has decided to share his special day are a cheap R100 or R150. ting what is due to them and surely popular meal followed by the Big
running for the duration of the ANC with the comrades who will be visit- “I may give those who buy more they will leave here having benefited King XXXL at a R20 less cost.”
conference.” ing his spot. than two items a discount but we will greatly.” She says the bottomless cold drink
He says he’s not open the whole Not far from Gate 5 Chillas, see as the week goes,” said Nyandeni. Local businesses such as the Sasol at Burger King was a hit and so were
year but “I saw an opportunity to Phindile Nyandeni mans her sister’s Advocate Maile Nngake, an ANC petrol station also got themselves desserts, with delegates loving the
offer entertainment to cadres and stall, which is piled with ANC regalia delegate from Pretoria, has spent a slice of the sales pie. Manager Fusion Oreo.
from yesterday morning we have and merchandise. more than R2 000 since Saturday on Lungile Gwala said sales had dou-
been very busy, about 250-plus peo- “I am selling from outside because collectables for himself and other bled since the conference started. Thulebona Mhlanga and Tebogo
ple have been coming in. They start my sister could only pay for two peo- comrades who want to remember Ice, cold drinks, water and energy Tshwane are Adamela Trust trainee
coming after 6pm.” ple and she is the third one in Nasrec. the historical conference. drinks have topped sales. financial reporters at the Mail &
Nondonga would not disclose how It cost R1 500 for my sister and two “This is one of the best — if not the “We were prepared for the confer- Guardian
Mail & Guardian Special Edition December 20 2017 5
ANC National Conference
Assault sparks journalists’ boycott
The forceful eviction of the ANC provided broadcasters with
a feed from its own cameras inside
a reporter from Nasrec its plenary hall, produced by its own
staff. That feed was supposed to be
unleashed the pent-up a back-up to their own cameras. But
frustrations of those when satellite station eNCA arrived
on Friday with the two cameras it
trying to report on the had been told it would be allowed
ANC’s conference to set up in the space, it was turned
away.
Ra’eesa Pather, Phillip de Wet “Pool feed arrangements are not a
& Bongekile Macupe new thing,” said eNCA editor-in-chief
Mapi Mhlangu, “but in the past we
C
yril Ramaphosa’s first were allowed to bring a minimum
media appearance as of two of our own cameras in. It was
ANC president was boy- rather disturbing that, in this confer-
cotted by journalists on ence, at the last hour, they said we
Tuesday in protest over can no longer have that.”
Bloomberg journalist Sam Mkokeli The lack of independent cameras
being thrown out of the ANC’s elec- meant ANC production managers
tive conference. decided what would be shown live
He was forcibly removed from and could pull the plug if proceed-
inside the Nasrec security cordon ings turned rowdy.
after he complained about the poor Sanef leaders held an emergency
treatment of journalists. Harassed: Bloomberg journalist meeting with the ANC’s communica-
His colleagues described it as an Sam Mkokeli (above centre) was tion team after the Mkokeli incident.
assault and it unleashed an ava- forcibly removed from the Nasrec “There was an apology that we
lanche of pent-up complaints by the security area by police (left) received, which was quite important
many journalists covering the ANC’s after he complained about the to us because they have said that
elective conference, where the media poor treatment of journalists at they do not want to make our jobs
coverage has been more restricted the conference. Police (left) also difficult; there are restrictions that
than at any ANC event since 1994. blocked photographers’ cameras they have but they are trying to work
One journalist said his pros- around them as best as possible,”
thetic leg had come loose after he General Tankiso Moshoeshoe, man- said Sanef chairperson Mahlatse
was pushed by security guards who handled Mkokeli while Mkokeli kept Mahlase.
would not listen when he explained his hands in the air. “They have also raised, of course,
why he could not move as quickly as When told his actions amounted that there has also been incidences
they wanted him to. to assault, Moshoeshoe told other where journalists have breached
Several women reported inap- journalists that Mkokeli should then security and obviously we would con-
propriate touching when guards “open a case”. demn that as Sanef.”
supposedly reached out to check travel several kilometres around the just know security. If you go out of During the incident, a uniformed In one case earlier in the week, the
the badges displayed on lanyards. outside of the Nasrec venue so that our way, you are just in our sights.” officer briefly attempted to cover two ANC complained that broadcasters
Two journalists said they had been they wouldn’t come into contact with After the walkabout, Ramaphosa cameras with his hand simultane- had continued to carry a live feed
warned that their accreditation delegates. was due to make a five-minute, ously to prevent the incident being after its plenary had gone into closed
would be removed for speaking to After waiting for a shuttle to arrive, no-questions stop for impromptu filmed. session. It learned about that when
ANC delegates. Mkokeli held a meeting with journal- remarks to the media. But he had not Mkokeli later said the approach to the eNCA alerted it to the fact that it
One journalist was threatened with ists and proposed that the walkabout arrived after an hour and the jour- journalists had been determined by was still supplying its live feed to the
eviction for walking around the ple- be boycotted because of how long nalists were kept corralled in the sun the ANC before the conference had broadcasters.
nary venue in search of a strong cell- journalists had been made to wait for and told they could not leave without begun. PowerFM host Iman Rappetti, who
phone signal and others had to beg briefings at the conference. All the an escort. “It started with the fence, as if we was there when Mkokeli was evicted,
marshals for escorts to be allowed to journalists agreed with the proposal. Mkokeli again raised a complaint are barbarians to be kept outside said the media had been managed by
go to the bathroom. Mkokeli is the chairperson of about the way journalists had been because, if we talk to delegates, we the ANC every step of the way.
On Tuesday, journalists were left the South African National Editors treated at the conference, which is may interfere with their election or “We’re coming into their space
waiting for 40 minutes to cross a Forum’s (Sanef’s) subcommittee on when the security members removed with policy,” he said. “That is a new and we’re playing by their rules,
security barrier built to separate media freedom. his accreditation and forcefully thing.” whether we like it or not, but this is
them from delegates to reach the In the face of the boycott, jour- evicted him from Nasrec. The new approach also extended a step beyond that, beyond what is
venue where they had been invited to nalists were allowed through the Shoeshoe Qhu, a journalist from to the ANC calling the shots on what acceptable.”
cover a walkabout by Ramaphosa. security barrier — with an escort Kaya FM, recorded the incident, parts of its conference proceedings The aggression and tight manage-
Security guards initially insisted — but not before a camera caught during which a plainclothes police independent broadcasters were ment of the media reflected the lev-
that, instead of walking a few hun- one security official explaining: officer, later identified by News24 allowed to show. els of paranoia within the party, she
dred metres, journalists should “We don’t know demo-crazy, we as police commander Lieutenant As has become standard practice, said.
Lamola: DD’s ‘Damascus moment’
Given Sigauqwe as deputy president would be the most ANC members across the coun-
catalyst that ensures that there is a try are young people and it is young
New ANC deputy president David break from the old guard. people that are the biggest partici-
Mabuza’s ascension to power is “He was the one comrade we all pants and foot soldiers of the ANC.
comparable with the apostle Paul’s witnessed calling for unity. He has So, it is in that regard that we came
Damascus moment, says former ANC foresight and ... understood that in up with the policy of generational
Youth League leader Ronald Lamola. the ANC we need unity. We need to mix in 2011. Today we see it come
On his way to Damascus from do away with slate politics and we into life,” said Lamola.
Jerusalem, Saul was renamed need members to participate freely,” “The incoming NEC will be ripe
Paul after a sudden conversion to he said. with young people. We want to par-
Christianity. “There is an itch for a decisive ticipate in the ANC. This is in prepa-
“I want to congratulate DD break away from the shenanigans of ration for the 2022 elective confer-
[Mabuza], he has reached his the past. The ANC needs an urgent ence. Then we will break completely
Damascus moment,” Lamola told the break from the old guard to rejuve- from the old guard. Man of faith: An overjoyed Ronald Lamola emerged as one of the
Mail & Guardian on Tuesday. nate itself. If you look at the compo- “There will be a new generation favourites to be elected on to the ANC’s national executive committee,
Following Cyril Ramaphosa’s tri- sition of the new top six his message altogether taking over the ANC. second to Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula. Photo: Oupa Nkosi
umph over Nkosazana-Dlamini clearly reverberated,” he said. That then will represent a clear
Zuma in the race for party president, An elated Lamola also told the renewal.” son Zizi Kodwa accepted their was an act of God. “I was ridiculed
and the landslide victory of Mabuza M&G that the inclusion of younger In other NEC results, ANC veteran nominations. by analysts and journalists alike
as his deputy, Lamola emerged as members in the NEC would hasten Joel Netshitenzhe received 1 145 But Minister of Trade and Industry when I said CR would emerge as
one of the favourites to be elected the rejuvenation of the party. nominations, Home Affairs Minister Rob Davies, Minister of Public president. But Jesus carried the
on to the ANC’s national executive “I am not a minister, I am not an Ayanda Dlodlo got 1 103 nominations Enterprises Lynne Brown, Limpopo different delegates to the voting
committee (NEC). He received the MP ... I am just an ordinary member and Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba chairperson Stan Mathabatha, booth and told them to vote for
second highest number of nomina- of the ANC. But the branches see that 1 075. Gauteng deputy chairperson CR, and they did. Now he is presi-
tions — 1 171. Minister of Police Fikile there is a need for younger people to Nkosazana Dlamini–Zuma, her David Makhura declined their dent and we are ready to be led,” he
Mbalula received the most, with lead in order to preserve the history campaign manager Carl Niehaus, nominations. said.
1 204 nominations. of the organisation,” he said. former finance minister Pravin Lamola, in another biblical ref- Ramaphosa received 2 440 votes to
Lamola said the election of Mabuza “We have always maintained that Gordhan and party spokesper- erence, said Ramaphosa’s victory Dlamini- Zuma’s 2 261.
6 Mail & Guardian Special Edition December 20 2017
ANC National Conference
Markets
only have
eyes
for Cyril
Lisa Steyn
Although the ANC is said to be
deliberating over who the rightfully
elected secretary general of the party
is, the market seems to have eyes
only for newly elected ANC president
Cyril Ramaphosa, with little to no
interest in the finer details.
Geoff Blount, the managing direc-
tor of Bayhill Capital, warned in a
statement on Monday night that
the markets have not priced in the
mixed political leadership and will
retrace some of its steps as the real-
ity sinks in.
But that has not happened yet.
The rand did lose a few cents in
gains but it remained low at a virtu-
ally constant R12.75 to the dollar on
Tuesday.
On the bond market, the govern-
ment’s benchmark cost of borrowing
improved from 8.85% to 8.66% dur-
Beware: Cyril Ramaphosa enjoys his moment of victory as the newly elected president of the ANC. The markets have responded positively to his ing Tuesday’s trade and on the JSE,
election but analysts warn that the markets have not yet appreciated the fact that Jacob Zuma is still president of South Africa. Photo: Oupa Nkosi SA Inc — stocks exposed to the South
African economy, such as retailers
and banks — performed phenom-
Can Ramaphosa deliver
enally, even after gaining in the days
leading up to Ramaphosa’s win.
Jordan Weir, a trader at Bayhill
Capital, said SA Inc ran all over the
show on Tuesday. Trades on the
JSE on the day totalled R55-billion,
more than double the R24-billion or
on his promises? so traded on an average day. “One
trader likened it to a reverse market
crash, some of the moves so crazy
big.”
The likes of Foschini saw stocks
grow 13.9% on the day, Barclays
share was up 11.5% and Mr Price’s
stock jumped just over 10%, Weir
Not only are the ANC’s top six officials will have to negotiate hard with each
other. You are going to have to have
recognise the need for reform to
enhance human capital and reduce
said. All dual-listed stocks, often
earning most or all of their money
divided, Jacob Zuma remains the state trade-offs regarding policies.” inequality, it remains to be seen how outside of the country, were “majorly
This is likely to be felt in the ANC’s that will be achieved without further hammered”, he said.
president and dictates the role of his deputy sectoral commission deliberations, undermining already stretched pub- Susan Booysen, a school of gov-
scheduled to be held during the lic finances.” ernance professor at the University
Lynley Donnelly he holds as deputy president of conference, on the policy propos- Despite his position as the new of the Witwatersrand and author of
the country remains constrained als put forward at the July policy leader of ANC, Ramaphosa cannot Dominance and Decline: The ANC in
he hope for a Cyril Rama- because Zuma still runs the country conference. backtrack on this promise, Mathekga the Time of Zuma, said the markets
T phosa victory was pinned
on his ability to put South
Africa’s economy back on
solid ground with finan-
cial prudence and stability, and a
commitment to reforming flounder-
ing and costly parastatals.
and dictates his deputy’s reach.
In the run-up to the conference,
Ramaphosa announced a 10-point
plan for South Africa, cast as a “new
deal” for the economy. It included
a focus on growth by introducing
measures to “achieve policy cer-
The debates will include the addi-
tional proposals put by delegates
in July that were not incorporated
in the party’s policy documents,
such as land expropriation without
compensation.
Other contentious issues will be
said, and described the situation as
“a grenade with the pin off”.
Susan Booysen, a school of gov-
ernance professor at the University
of the Witwatersrand and author of
Dominance and Decline: The ANC in
the Time of Zuma, said Ramaphosa’s
didn’t appear to fully understand the
nuances of South African politics.
“Because if they understood the
nuances, the market should be drop-
ping because [Jacob] Zuma is in
power, there is a stalemate and there
is an uncertain outcome of the NEC
But it remains to be seen whether tainty, improve institutional stabil- the nationalisation of the Reserve role for the next 18 months can only [national executive committee].
he will be able to deliver on the cam- ity, restore the credibility of the crim- Bank and the mining charter. go as far as ANC policy allows, or in Those three combined for me do not
paign promises of his “new deal”. inal justice system and demonstrate “The relatively strong representa- terms of what will be adopted at the ring well,” she said.
By Tuesday afternoon, specula- the political will to turn around the tion of the opposition faction in the conference. Weir said foreign buyers were
tion was continuing that the ANC’s economy”. ANC leadership will likely compli- “If they get to adoption of policy, more optimistic. They were less au
top six could change after a disputed He called for a macro-economic cate policy negotiations and could that is debatable,” she said, refer- fait with the political nuances but
vote, which is most likely to affect policy based on fiscal discipline and delay agreement on key reforms,” ring to the delays on Tuesday after were also trying to take advantage of
the post of secretary general. Free reducing debt to ensure future gen- said Zuzana Brixiova, a senior it emerged that there was a dispute the currency strength.
State Premier Ace Magashule beat erations do not pay for the current analyst of credit ratings agency about the vote count for the secretary Tinyiko Ngwenya, an economist of
KwaZulu-Natal’s Senzo Mchunu for mismanagement of the economy. Moody’s. general position. the Old Mutual Investment Group,
the post by a narrow 24 votes. He also promised to provide free The make-up of the NEC will be agreed that the market movements
As it stands, the top six are higher education for the poor but it amaphosa also has to face critical. “There is so much, on even reflected the positive sentiments of
split down the middle between
Ramaphosa and his allies, Paul
Mashatile (treasurer general) and
Gwede Mantashe (chairperson), and
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s allies
came with the caveat that “to sustain
free post-school education for the
poor will require a growing economy
and a stronger fiscus”.
He also committed to overhaul the
R the practical realities of an
economy plagued by poor
growth, a fiscus with a R50-
billion shortfall, massive exposure to
floundering SOEs such as Eskom and
those more radical sounding policies,
that depends on application and that
final interpretation of what is radi-
cal,” Booysen said.
As president of the ANC, but
foreign investors, and local investors
were being more sceptical about the
developments.
“Once bitten, twice shy,” she said.
“We are more likely to wait for
Magashule, Jesse Duarte (deputy governance of state-owned enter- Denel, and now an unfunded, free deputy to Zuma in government, February’s budget to see if fiscal con-
secretary general) and David Mabuza prises (SOEs) and “immediate steps higher education plan, revealed by Ramaphosa has very limited power, solidation is back as a plan, and how
(deputy president). to confront corruption and state Zuma on Friday. she added. “As deputy president government will address the ques-
If the line up remains unchanged, capture”. He announced the plan against the in and of the government, it really tions around state-owned entities.”
Ramaphosa will face intense negotia- If the top six remain unchanged, advice of the treasury and without depends on allocations of functions Eskom’s financial sustainabil-
tions and trade-offs when it comes to “there is a perfectly institutionalised input from the national executive by the president and it is a very ity is a major issue for local inves-
policy, particularly economic policy, conflict”, said political analyst and committee (NEC). ambiguous, tentative power bal- tors, she said. “We would have to
say analysts. author of When Zuma Goes, Ralph Education will be a “clear area of ance between the two. — Additional see strong evidence of policy being
They also warn that the power Mathekga. “That in itself means they tension”, Brixiova said. “While all reporting by Lisa Steyn implemented.”
Mail & Guardian Special Edition December 20 2017 7
ANC National Conference
NDZ can’t play a patriarchy victim
The women’s league failed to promote gender the state, patriarchy has captured Africa on the African and global opment, on whose watch there have
many in the ANC, including many of stage, had the perfect opportunity been many scandals relating to men-
equality and, as a minister, Bathabile Dlamini its women cadres. to make a clean break from the fam- tal health and social grants. She has
used Zuma’s patronage to survive her disasters First to answer should be NDZ
herself. In one telling interview
ily dynasty politics that worry this
young democracy.
survived in the past thanks to Zuma’s
patronage, and despite several calls
COMMENT challenges — the patriarchal ideol- with Independent Newspapers, she Yet she carefully side-stepped the for her removal.
Colleen Lowe-Morna ogy that permeates every facet of expressed her frustration with the issues in former public protector Not so long ago the women’s
society and relegates even the most constant association with her polyga- Thuli Madonsela’s State of Capture league announced that South Africa
n a trailer for the ANC’s prominent and successful women to mous ex-husband. She noted that report. was not yet ready for a woman presi-
I 54th conference, the eNCA news
channel interviewed a broad
spectrum of South Africans on
what they know about Nkoso-
zana Dlamini-Zuma (NDZ), who
this week lost narrowly to Cyril
Ramaphosa in the race for president
an appendage of a man.
On the face of it, the ANC elec-
tions are a victory for democracy.
Simmering internal discontent with
Zuma and his association with the
billionaire Gupta family that have
“captured the state” expressed itself
they share children and have con-
versations beyond politics but she
had no special place in his sprawling
Nkandla home (another source of the
corruption charges hanging over him
when he vacates the presidency in
2019).
The burning issues of corruption
that featured ever more prominently
in the Ramaphosa campaign barely
featured in hers.
In response to criticisms that she
seemed to have no clear agenda, NDZ
came out blazing in the final days of
dent. The women’s league changed
tack after Zuma publicly endorsed
Dlamini-Zuma.
One of the greatest ironies of the
ANC’s claim to the high ground on
gender equality is that its women’s
league has been among the most
of the ruling party. in Ramaphosa’s win, though he Yet in her campaign NDZ failed the race on “radical economic trans- enthusiastic backers of Zuma — who
Almost all of them referred to her inherits a crown of thorns with three dismally to distance herself from formation” that seemed more a call was acquitted of a rape charge but
as President Jacob Zuma’s ex-wife. out of the new top six officials (dep- Zuma after he publicly endorsed her, to populism than a well-thought- found sorely wanting in his behav-
One or two said they thought she was uty president David Mabuza, secre- and happily drew on all his support through agenda. Gender equality, it iour towards women shortly before
connected to the United Nations (she tary general Ace Magashule and dep- bases, notably in their KwaZulu- must be said, was not a prominent he became president in 2009.
served as chair of the African Union uty secretary general Jessie Duarte) Natal home province that became a feature in the campaign of the first So vitriolic was the response to his
Commission). No one mentioned in the Zuma camp. litmus test for the heart and soul of would-be woman president of South accuser (Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo,
her having been South Africa’s min- But with only one woman (Duarte) the ANC. Africa. dubbed Khwezi, who died recently)
ister of health, foreign affairs and in the line-up, serious questions must Dlamini-Zuma, the seasoned min- Also needing to introspect are that she spent most of her remaining
then home affairs. Her claim to be asked about what has gone wrong ister who banned smoking in public NDZ’s enthusiastic backers in the years in exile, with no support from
fame remained in the public mind with the ANC’s feminist agenda, if places in South Africa, led the South ANC Women’s League, found hud- the struggle organisation that she
her association to Zuma, whom she ever there was one beyond the policy African delegation to the Fourth dled in a meeting in the media cen- grew up in, let alone its women.
divorced more than 20 years ago. positions on gender parity in all its World Conference on Women in tre after the announcement of the It must be concluded that the only
The trailer is a telling reminder of ranks and endeavours. Beijing, cleaned up the messy home top six. They are led by Bathabile reason the women’s league sup-
one of South Africa’s biggest, unmet Just as the Guptas have captured affairs ministry, and profiled South Dlamini, the minister of social devel- ported Dlamini-Zuma was the Zuma
name, not the promise of a woman
Women’s president.
Indeed, if that were the agenda,
why did the women’s league not
League equally support Lindiwe Sisulu for
deputy president?
Crying over spilt milk is not useful;
believes men to quote respected analyst Justice
Malala, “it was never a principled
campaign”.
used NDZ amaphosa, who in all likeli-
Dineo Bendile
R hood will become the fourth
president of a democratic
South Africa in 2019, also
has some reflection to do.
Nelson Mandela’s favourite to
Tuesday’s blistering rebuke from succeed him (put aside as a result
ANC Women’s League president of party pressures to make Thabo
Bathabile Dlamini for the party not Mbeki his deputy), Ramaphosa is
electing Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma a seasoned trade unionist, chief
as president has been met with scep- architect of the Constitution and
ticism — largely because of Dlamini’s a negotiator turned businessman.
own track record on gender. But he comes with his own baggage
After Monday’s announcement — the Marikana massacre in which
that Cyril Ramaphosa had been 34 striking miners were gunned
elected the ANC’s president, the down at Lonmin Mines where he
women’s league did not hide its dis- was a nonexecutive member of the
appointment during a press brief- board, and leaked emails of alleged
ing on Tuesday afternoon at Nasrec, inappropriate relationships with
Johannesburg. women students he is said to be
Dlamini-Zuma was used by the sponsoring.
men in the ANC to fulfil their own Patriarchy rules: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma did protest that she’s more than an ex-wife but she accepted and Much as the latter were probably
leadership ambitions, said the used President Jacob Zuma’s endorsement of her for the ANC presidency. Photo: Gulshan Khan/AFP politically motivated, Ramaphosa
league. failed to use the platform to put for-
“Men did not lift the candidate questioned about its failure to sup- But Dlamini’s own stances on gen- address. The protesters silently stood ward a clear agenda on appropriate
up, they used her as a ladder — that port other women candidates such as der have seen her accused of not fully up in front of Zuma holding post- conduct of powerful men towards
one we are not shy to say. They used Lindiwe Sisulu and Baleka Mbete. grasping the extent of patriarchy in ers stating “Remember Khwezi” less powerful women, the heart of
her as ladder for themselves. It’s our But Dlamini defended the deci- the party. and “10 years later”. The protest- the #MeToo campaign that has taken
demonstration to you, to say this is sion, saying women were “not She drew criticism when she failed ers were referring to the trial where the world by storm.
how patriarchy has reared its ugly homogenous”. to take a firm stance against former Zuma was accused of raping Fezekile There are examples globally of new
head in our society,” said women’s “An unfair question is coming out higher education deputy minister Kuzwayo. He was acquitted; she fled age men presidents who have put
league spokesperson Toko Xasa. … why didn’t we support comrade Mduduzi Manana after he assaulted the country. forward feminist agendas — Justin
Shortly after the announcement of Lindiwe. We don’t want to talk about a woman in August. The incidents have seen Dlamini Trudeau in Canada, for example.
Ramaphosa’s victory, Dlamini looked the fact that all this time in the ANC “I don’t want to be part of those accused of defending men in the ANC Amid the minefield that Ramaphosa
distressed when she marched out of we have had women freely standing games of saying ... [should] he resign even to the detriment of women. must walk to restore South Africa’s
the plenary hall, flanked by Small for the position of president, so that or not. Even in other parties there In her address on Tuesday, how- democratic values, there is an oppor-
Business Minister Lindiwe Zulu, who is a nonissue, the issue is to try to is sexual harassment and it’s not ever, she said the ANC’s failure tunity for the new ANC leader to go
was attempting to calm her. push us into a corner and crush us,” treated the way it’s treated in the to elect Dlamini-Zuma was an exam- beyond numbers in the ANC’s gender
Th oug h Dlamini-Zu ma wa s Dlamini said. ANC. And I refuse that this issue be ple of patriarchy “rearing its ugly equality agenda. With the new dep-
snubbed, three of the candidates who Despite claiming to accept that made a political tool. It’s not a politi- head”. uty president of the ANC (Mabuza)
had appeared on her slate made it women were not “homogenous”, the cal tool,” she said in an interview She also said the ANC had regres- also being a man, we seem to be fur-
to the top six: Mpumalanga Premier women’s league lashed out at its for- with the Sunday Times at the time. sion on issues of gender parity. “The ther than ever before from a woman
David Mabuza as deputy president, mer president, Angie Motshekga, for The league later released a state- ANC indeed has regressed on the president.
Free State Premier Ace Magashule as allegedly organising pro-Ramaphosa ment saying it would always stand issue of women. As we celebrate the Is it too much to hope, in the short
secretary general and Jessie Duarte rallies under the women’s league with victims of abuse regardless of life of OR Tambo, who championed term, for a feminist president who
as deputy secretary general. banner. who their abusers were. the emancipation of women, we can’t will begin to get gender discourse
Dlamini and the women’s league Motshekga is believed to have been In August last year Dlamini was be proud of this outcome.” back on course?
national executive committee (NEC) a refuge for league members who among a group of women ANC The women’s league said it would
had been accused of imposing did not agree with the endorsement leaders who were outraged by the reflect on what had gone wrong in Colleen Lowe Morna is chief
Dlamini-Zuma on league members. of Dlamini-Zuma. Dlamini and her “Remember Khwezi” protest at the its strategy to deliver the ANC its executive of Gender Links, a
Despite championing the need for administration, however, accused Independent Electoral Commission first woman president and convene nongovernmental organisation that
more representation of women in the her of attempting to rule the organi- results centre where President Jacob a general congress according to its promotes gender equality
national NEC, the league was also sation from the grave. Zuma was delivering an elections planned calendar. and justice
8 Mail & Guardian Special Edition December 20 2017
ANC National Conference
Bathabile beleaguers women
The Mail & Guardian’s
series of satirical
first-hand accounts
of the ANC’s national
conference through
the eyes of insiders
continues with
another delegate
update, this time
from ANC Women’s
League member
Rejoice Magashule
(no relation)
Baba appears to be get-
U ting a taste of his own
bitter medicine. When
the ANC electoral team
announced that Cyril
Ramaphosa was the new president
of the party on Monday, the “outgo-
ing” president looked like he had just
received a load of curdled cupcake
icing in his mouth. Or maybe a set
of artistic nude pictures of departing
ANC secretary general, one Samson
Gwede Mantashe.
Jacob Zuma struggled to swal-
low the outpouring. His lips pursed
upwards as if he had just sniffed an
unwashed pimp taking a shit in the
communal toilet of an overcrowded No cry: Women’s league leader Bathabile Dlamini wouldn’t say whether she voted for David Mabuza or Lindiwe Sisulu. Photo: Oupa Nkosi
awaiting-trial jail cell. Gagging on
defeat’s bile must have caused his found that his election as Free State It’s been a tough time for women who are prepared to speak about I didn’t get any answers from
life, replete with prison bars, to ANC chairperson was illegal because at this conference. From being chat- [Ramaphosa’s] history” as an alleged Comrade President Head Girl of the
flash before his eyes faster than an branches were being manipulated ted up by leery stick insects with the abuser of women to speak up. Bua, Women’s League Bathabile Dlamini
Emirates A-380 plane. like an elastic band. tenderpreneur strain of kwashiorkor sathane! Surprisingly, there were no and Lumka “Mr T” Oliphant when
Having stuck sour notes in peoples’ The NDZ lobbyists were sweating — all red meat, single-malt whisky smallanyana skeletons popping out we caucused or during their news
mouths for so long, it’s no surprise it out just before the election results and no-exercise diets — to comrade of the closet to scare the bejeezus out conference the morning after the
that uBaba was hanging, white- were announced. I had wandered Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma losing out of Cupcake before he was elected. night before.
knuckled, on to the table until Ace over to the KwaZulu-Natal section of to Ramaphosa. We are not winning. But I have been confused by In between ranting how the elec-
Magashule and DD Mabuza were the conference hall to pick up a bless- Apparently there is this thing called the women’s league’s approach to tion result — five out of the top six are
announced, respectively, as ANC sec- ing when the ghostly features of pro- “patriarchy” that is holding us back. this election. Why did we wait for men — was a defeat for women, she
retary general and deputy president. vincial chairperson Sihle Zikalala and I googled what it means in between uBaba and DD to tell us to support refused to answer a question about
Ace will probably try to marshal the provincial secretary Super Zuma “left plenary sessions today, expecting Dlamini-Zuma before deciding that whether she had voted for DD or
new national executive committee to me cold”. to see a photograph of Comrade we should? Why did we support Sisulu.
stop any recall of Mkhandakhanda uBaba’s tokoloshe was scratching President of the ANC Women’s Dlamini-Zuma for the presidency, “The issue”, it would appear, was
and stymie attempts to clean up the his bald pate, on the verge of tears, League and Queen Regent of the but not Lindiwe Sisulu for the deputy the “unfair question being asked”:
party’s branches. Voting banks and staring incomprehensibly at a piece Nyaope-induced News Conference presidency? “That is a nonissue,” said Dlamini.
membership manipulation made the of paper where he may, or may not, Bathabile Dlamini. Poor Sis Sisulu had looked all lone- “The issue is to push us in a corner,
ANC messier than the hourly rooms have been scratching off the names Apparently it actually means that some on the dais where the national the issue is to crush us … No, we are
at a Midrand brothel. of former friends. Super looked like a the men have been back-alley bugger- executive committee sit. This was not going to allow that. That is an
Ace is supposed to be mopping this mere mortal without any of the pow- ing us from even before uBaba’s ten- even before the results confirmed unfair question.”
up, but is more likely to add to the lit- ers that allowed him, for a moment, ure as president, for free no less. that she was, indeed, alone. It’s answers like these that leave
ter mound with used condoms and to erase former ANC treasurer gen- I was expecting Ramaphosa to bow If the women’s league had sup- me with questions about feminism,
unused copies of Through the Eye of eral Zweli Mkhize’s party member- out of the race for the ANC presi- ported her, she would be in line patriarchy and how the fuck did we
the Needle. ship and grow the ANC membership dency after Dlamini had reportedly to become the party’s first woman end up with an idiot like Dlamini to
After all, the courts have twice as magically as Jack’s beanstalk. intimated she would “call people president. lead our movement?
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