By: Olly Mlamleli
It takes guts for a woman to raise a hand in the ANC leadership race: Lindiwe Sisulu’s bid for the top job must be openly debated, especially if it is germinating and generated by the ANC structures and not by herself.
So far, what is encouraging about this development is that there is no western influence or white monopoly capital around it. It is your old normal ANC discussion expression by our own ANC structures, which has got nothing with people being bought or killed.
In this male owned and dominated world, women still have to break a lot of barriers to reach the top of the pinnacle. The perception that we are suddenly equal in all respects is a negation of some basic truisms. The world of politics stands out as a designed game for boys and their musculoskeletal egos.
So, when a woman raises her hand to be counted as amongst those who wish to lead, the reprisal coming her way are unfathomable. Winnie Mandela was bludgeoned, vilified and denigrated for wanting to lead the ANC at the Mafikeng conference.
All those men clubbed against her and beat her to the pulp never to dare become more than an “ornament.”
Nkosana Zuma was deprived of the rare chance to become the first woman president when, once more, these men signed a nefarious deal under the cloak of night. Conspiratorial meetings and dealing sessions saw her betrayed at the last moment.
Lindiwe Sisulu’s determination to raise her hand, will come with many perils. Armed with the state machinery, the co-opted media house and deep threat journalists she will be vilified and discredited with the aim of limiting her chances. These perils come with the territory and she needs to solder
unflinchingly ahead.
Her illustrious government career will not suffice to reach these top echelon. She needs to articulate incisive policy issues that will underpin her tenure. As things stand, not much is coming out by way of policy from all quarters least that of the incumbent.
The nation cries out new ideals and ideals that will give hope and reinvigoration in the national body polity. Sisulu will need all the armoury that she can muster. Her strength of character and no nonsense disposition will stand her in good stead. She stands on the shoulders of her long and illustrious history in the ANC and exile.
She is by far one of the few very senior woman who can stand shoulders above most of these men.
But she dares not underestimate their cunning designs and their desperation to stay on top. A heavy cold from is approaching and she better be well chlothed. This is my advice to you Mamgcina. This is a men’s world, I say this because I know your genuineness and convictions with ANC policies and it’s resolutions. ANC policy resolution on Israel is a classic example of your loyalty to the resolutions of the ANC. We are witnesses, you paid your dues for implementing it, yet we sent you there.
You are far politically senior than most in not only the top six, but the entire NEC, except the few if any. How I wish that God be with you, as for us on the ground, we will do the necessary to protect the image, values, principles and resolutions of the ANC of Mandela, Tambo, Mbeki and Sisulu. We see what is happening, we see how the DA is not only consolidating from within the movement, but dictating the policy and leadership direction of the revolutionary movement. Let’s see how far they go with their friends who pretend to be our leaders. We see these things.
Everything has got an end. ANC is not for sale. ANC belongs to the tried and tested, and our people must resist all forms of temptations, even if they are promised money and lucrative deals this time around. We have seen it, it’s not working for the downtrodden, but for few.
This is an opportunity for the ANC to give merit and revolutionary conviction a chance, not to positionists, but to people who really want to serve. Quality Women deserve a chance to lead the ANC too, than poorly prepared men leaders. ANC is not a patriarchal organization.
Lastly, I must indicate that as ANC members we don’t want to be bought or influenced through money on how we should choose our leaders, but we want a superior logic to be convinced, strictly not money, otherwise our people will never be liberated.
*Olly Mlamleli is the Provincial Chair of the Women’s League in Freestate Province.
