Nelson Mandela's wife Graça Machel calls for "a new crop of leaders"

Graca Machel speaks at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.

Nelson Mandela’s wife Graça Machel calls for “a new crop of leaders”

That’s all we really want for Christmas, too.

Nelson Mandela's wife Graça Machel calls for "a new crop of leaders"

Graca Machel speaks at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.

Graça Machel has told South Africa to ‘stand up and take the opportunity’ to bring new leaders into power.

Speaking at an event held in honour of Nelson Mandela in Houghton at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Machel – who married Madiba in 1998 – sent out a clear message to the ANC and its supporters ahead of their Elective Conference, which kicks of next weekend.

In her address, the former First Lady was full of praise for South Africa itself. But it seems like all she wants for Christmas is a fresh approach to leadership from the party. Something tells us she’s not alone in thinking that:

“South Africa, it’s in your hands. Stand up and take it…We should get to 2018, having some kind of clarity of who the new crop of leaders are, standing on the shoulders of those we are celebrating.”

“I wish 2018 will help us to identify, nurture and take them to the heights. This country is extraordinary. It cannot be compared to any other African countries… It has to produce a new crop of that collective because it is in the South African DNA.”

Who is Graça Machel?

Graça Machel actually holds the distinction of being the only woman in history to be the First Lady of two separate countries. She served the role in her native Mozambique for 11 years, from 1975 – 1986. She was then First Lady of South Africa for a year, after marrying Madiba almost 20 years ago.

The teacher, humanitarian and former politician served both countries well. Now, she wants to see some of that same dignity and grace exhibited by those in government.

When is the ANC Elective conference?

When the ANC Elective Conference begins on Saturday 16th December, branch delegates will decide who will replace Zuma as the party leader.

It’s looking like Cyril Ramaphosa will get the nod, just over his nearest rival Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Both are ANC stalwarts, and neither would come across as a fresh start. But any regime beats a Jacob Zuma regime… Right?