PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 1: African National Congress NEC member, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, during the special meeting of its National Executive Committee at St George Hotel in Irene on, Monday 1 April 2019 – Photo: Gallo Images / Phill Magakoe.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 1: African National Congress NEC member, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, during the special meeting of its National Executive Committee at St George Hotel in Irene on, Monday 1 April 2019 – Photo: Gallo Images / Phill Magakoe.
The big breaking news on Wednesday morning comes from Parliament after the ANC issued a statement confirming that deputy president David Mabuza will not be sworn-in as the Ramaphosa’s right-hand-man later this afternoon. Rumours have been swirling about his future in the party, which is inextricably linked to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
The rumour mill has been in overdrive since the ANC secured victory in the 2019 Elections. Several “leaked” lists of the president’s new cabinet purported that Mabuza would not continue in his role as deputy president, and that honour would instead go to NDZ.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma talks about the deputy presidency
After casting her special vote in the general election, Dlamini-Zuma had been asked about the possibility of replacing the former Mpumalanga premier as Cyril’s second in command. This, despite the pair facing off against each other in the ANC leadership race of 2017.
She didn’t keep her cards close to her chest when addressing the media two weeks ago. In fact, it seems she was already prepared for the question to come her way after whispers on social media snowballed at an alarming rate:
“Who becomes deputy is the president’s prerogative. I have always said that if I am asked to sweep the floor, I will sweep it very clean. So whatever I am asked to. I will do.”
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on the deputy presidency, Monday 6 May 2019.
Mabuza facing the boot
Yikes, there’s not much in the way of loyalty there, right? Dr Dlamini-Zuma – who has had a role in all five Parliaments previous to this – has boldly admitted she would take the role if Mabuza has to vacate it.
He’s been accused of bringing the party into disrepute by the ANC Integrity Commission. Mabuza has requested the postponement of his swearing-in, so he can tackle these concerns properly. It is yet to be confirmed if he will leave office, but if he does, there’s a familiar face waiting in the wings.
#SAElections2019 Minister in the Presidency for the National Planning Commission for Policy and Evaluation, Nkosazana #DlaminiZuma, responds to rumors that she could be called upon to be deputy president @TimesLIVE pic.twitter.com/7oR3dDQfeR
— Orrin Singh (@orrin417) May 6, 2019
