Latest news with #Dlamini-Zuma
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4 days ago
- Politics
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Women's Day: Why South Africa has yet to elect its first woman president?
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka worked as the executive director of the UN Women for eight years. Image: Women Deliver / Facebook / File South Africa is not short on capable women who could be candidates for the presidency — what's holding the country back is fear and outdated thinking. That's according to several experts and political leaders who say the absence of a woman president has less to do with ability or lack of choice, and more to do with persistent gender bias and entrenched patriarchal attitudes within society and political structures. Earlier this year, Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was the first woman elected as Namibia's president on March 21, 2025. They followed Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was the first woman elected to office on the continent. The other female in charge at the moment is President Samia Suluhu Hassan from Tanzania, who took up the role after her predecessor died in 2021. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Just this week, while discussing Women's Month, ANC veteran Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who is also the former chairperson of the African Union Commission, highlighted how women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of poverty, and that there should be equal opportunities between women and men. Dlamini-Zuma stated that South Africa has developed into a patriarchal society where men predominantly hold power in political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and property control. ANC veteran and National Executive Committee (NEC) member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at the Independent Media offices on Tuesday. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers Dlamini-Zuma contested to become the ANC president in 2017. However, she lost the battle to businessman-turned-politician Cyril Ramaphosa, who won 2,440 votes against her 2,261 votes during the ANC elective conference in Nasrec, Johannesburg. 'There is no reason why we shouldn't have a woman president. We have seen that Liberia did well when a woman was in charge. In Namibia, it is still early, but we can see that she is doing well and the decisions she is taking are very decisive and Pan-Africanist. I like her decisions and I think she will do well for Namibia,' said Dlamini-Zuma. Dlamini-Zuma said the pay gap between men and women needs to be addressed. She added that while the government has resolved the issue, this persists in the private sector, despite research showing that companies with more women in management are more competitive than those without female leaders. Zululand University-based political analyst, Professor Sipho Seepe, agrees with Dlamini-Zuma's analysis: 'Patriarchy is a thought system that afflicts both men and women in the same way that white supremacy afflicts black people. Black people suffering from the virus of white supremacy believe in their inferiority. 'They look up to whites for solutions to their problems, including those created by whites. In the same way, women would rather vote for the most mediocre and spineless man than support a highly qualified, disciplined, and experienced black woman. This script has replayed itself many times in our country and elsewhere.' Postdoctoral Fellow to the H.F. Oppenheimer Chair of Human Rights, Dr Anisa Mahmoudi, weighed in and said that the primary obstacle to women in leadership is not readiness, but the deeply entrenched social norms influencing how society views women. 'South Africa, and much of the rest of the world, still overlooks the influence that existing patriarchal structures have on the advancement of women, positioning women as secondary to men in all spheres of societal functioning, especially political and other public-facing participation. 'Traditional concepts of authority and leadership remain gendered, and political participation is no exception. The status quo will remain until we address the deeply entrenched social norms that feed harmful narratives about the value, worth, and place of women in society,' Mahmoudi said. Political analyst Nkosikhulule Nyembezi said that, similarly in other democracies, the process of choosing representatives is governed primarily by two sets of organisational and institutional rules - candidate selection methods framed by party rules and the state's electoral laws. 'Because an electoral system is the vehicle through which to stand for public office and proceed to gain membership of a legislative body, South Africa is embarking on a critical electoral reform journey that could improve chances for females aspiring to the presidency. 'After 30 years of democracy in South Africa, the making of political choices must produce more election results that are less restricted by narrow political party trappings of citizens aspiring to be in legislative bodies and the executive,' Nyembezi said. 'We are ready for a female president because over the past decades, in several provinces and municipalities, we were well served by female premiers and mayors. Their individual and collective records of achievements confirm that we are all better people today, and ready for a female president.' Distinguished professor in the Political Science department at Stellenbosch University, Amanda Gouws, said male domination in parties is hampering women, but also contributing to this problem is the ANC Women's League, which said in the past that 'SA is not ready for a woman President'. 'There was a woman deputy president under president Thabo Mbeki - Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. She would have been excellent, but Mbeki was recalled. She became the director of UN Women. 'The issue is that men do not mentor women to become the next president, and the ANC also does little to mentor men; additionally, there are too many factions within the ANC,' Gouws said. 'Women are hampered by faction infighting. Other parties do not have enough support to form a government and to decide on a president.' Patricia de Lille, minister of Tourism and the leader of the GOOD Party, said that one of the biggest obstacles is that too few women are supported to lead political parties. 'The ballot paper is still dominated by male faces. The irony is that 55% of registered voters in South Africa are women. Women are deeply embedded in the social and political fabric of this country. They participate. They vote. However, when it comes to leadership, that support doesn't always translate. 'Over 30 years into democracy, and I'm still the only female party leader in Parliament. Over the years, we've only seen a handful of women at the helm of political organisations. We must change that. We need to go back to the drawing board and create pathways for more women to lead,' De Lille said. Minister of Tourism, and GOOD Party leader, Patricia de Lille. Image: Department of Tourism Mahmoudi explained that women leaders face heightened scrutiny, reflecting the patriarchal norms. 'Generally speaking, women in the public sphere are judged by their 'likeability' rather than the substantive value they bring forward. Society still expects women to prove themselves, but using different yardsticks than men. This creates an unequal playing field. 'I would argue that people place different standards on women, for instance, questioning women's toughness while critiquing them for being too assertive. This double standard extends to other areas as well,' Mahmoudi said. 'Women leaders are expected to demonstrate unwavering dedication and availability, yet face criticism for perceived neglect of family responsibilities, an expectation rarely placed on men leaders. Similarly, women's confidence and authority are often perceived as arrogance and attempts at gaining power. Where men display similar characteristics, they are praised for them. The double standards place obstacles to women's leadership and reflect the deeply embedded gendered assumptions that remain in South Africa and beyond.' South Africa is not short on capable women who could be candidates for the presidency — what's holding the country back is fear and outdated thinking. Image: IOL / Ron AI Ultimately, the experts agreed that it is the perception that needs to change. 'Women don't need empowerment, they need opportunity and recognition. Women are already empowered. It is the system that holds them back. The language of empowerment suggests that women lack something inherent that needs to be given to them by others, usually men. 'The reality is that women are systematically excluded from pathways to leadership. What women need is an equal playing field,' Mahmoudi said.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma scoffs at Trump's handling of Africa
Former African Union (AU) Commission chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has expressed her disappointment and frustration with United States President Donald Trump. Image: Timothy Bernard Former African Union (AU) Commission chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has expressed her disappointment and frustration with United States President Donald Trump's approach towards Africa and South Africa. Jarring for her was Trump's assertion that there was a "white genocide" in the country, his trade demands and bid to recolonise the continent. Pretoria's relationship with Washington deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed office in January. Absent a trade deal, certain South African exports face the imposition of 30% tariffs, the highest for any sub-Saharan African nation, starting tomorrow. The development follows months of heightened tensions concerning various domestic and international policies. In addition to disputes over various issues, such as South Africa's accusation of genocide against Israel in Gaza at the International Court of Justice, Washington expelled Pretoria's ambassador Ebrahim Rasool in March after he criticised Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. According to Dlamini-Zuma, Trump is a "difficult person" who seems to prioritise American interests over global cooperation. Dlamini-Zuma referenced Trump's past comments on Africa, stating, "You must remember what he said in his first campaign before his first term…He said Africa needs to be recolonised. So what do we expect?" She emphasised the importance of African unity, saying if Africa was united, it would not be possible that Africa becomes recolonised. Dlamini-Zuma also criticised Trump's narrative on white genocide in South Africa, calling it "deliberate misinformation". She pointed out that crime was a significant issue in South Africa, but there was no evidence to support the claim of genocide against white people. "If you look at the statistics, it is the black people who die more, every time the statistics are given," she said. Dlamini-Zuma stressed Africa's need to collaborate and promote its interests. She advocated for the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade and economic growth. "We need to work together and that's why we want an Africa continental free trade so that we must trade amongst ourselves and promote each other's interests," she said. She further emphasised the importance of empowering youth and women in Africa's development. She called on governments and stakeholders to provide accessible education and skills training, stating, "Young people have the right to education, and they must actively pursue it". She also urged young Africans to engage in sectors such as mineral processing and the ocean economy to drive sustainable growth. Dlamini-Zuma highlighted the need for Africa to decolonise its mindsets and prioritise inclusive development. "If we do not, we remain colonised," she said, emphasising the importance of self-determination and African-led development. As a pan-Africanist, Dlamini-Zuma said she was committed to promoting African development and restoring the continent's history. She also took the opportunity to announce the NDZ foundation-the Africa we want, saying the new organisation was in the pipeline and was meant to engage on issues on the African agenda. It is expected to be launched by the end of the year. International Relations expect Dr Noluthando Phungula mirrored Dlamini Zuma's views about Trump's attitude towards Africa and South Africa. 'Trump has been clear from the onset about his policy position. He is clear on putting America first, so it is quite disingenuous for South Africa or Africa to pull the humanity card when dealing with Trump." She described bilateral relations between Washington and Pretoria as a political drama. 'The Trump administration is at odds with Pretoria's prominent position in the International Court of Justice's case against Israel, which stands accused of genocide in Gaza,' Phungula said.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says financial barriers hinder women's rise to the presidency in South Africa
ANC veteran Dr Nkosazana Dlamni-Zuma said financial resources and difficulties limit women to challenge for the position president in South Africa. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers Although South Africa is ready for a female president, financial resources and difficulties limit women to challenge the position. ANC veteran and member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, said there was no reason for the country not to have a woman president. She said while the number of women serving as heads of State in Africa remains a minority, several women have excelled in these roles, demonstrating strong leadership and positive impact. The former chairperson of the African Union (AU) executive council members, said this record is evident in countries such as Liberia and Namibia. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Elle Johnson Sirleaf was the first female head of State in Africa, after she was elected as the President of Liberia from 2006 to 2017. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her work in promoting peace, democracy and women's rights. Her presidency was marked by efforts to rebuild Liberia after years of civil war, including debt relief and economic development and she also focused on promoting education and women's empowerment. Nicknamed NNN, Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was the first woman elected as Namibia's President on March 21, 2025. 'There is no reason why we shouldn't have a woman president. We have seen that Liberia did well when a woman was in charge. In Namibia it is still early but we can see that she is doing well and the decisions she is taking are very decisive and Pan-Africanist. I like her decisions and I think she will do well for Namibia,' said Dlamini-Zuma. Dlamini-Zuma also contested to become the ANC president in 2017. However, she lost the battle to businessman-turned-politician Cyril Ramaphosa who won 2,440 against her 2,261 votes during the ANC elective conference conference in Nasrec, Johannesburg. She said although nothing prevents women from becoming president, financial challenges limit them to compete for such positions. She added that this is because it is difficult for women to access financial resources. 'Women don't have money and men are able to use money to get to these positions. But there is no country that doesn't have capable women,'' she said, adding that South Africa is ready for a woman president. Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said Dlamini-Zuma is correct, adding that money assumed the centre stage in the ANC's presidential contest. He said both Black and White businesses threw their weight behind Ramaphosa to ensure that Dlamini-Zuma did not emerge as the winner. 'Again, typical of the corrupting nature and possible corrupt nature of the financial support Ramaphosa received, the whole matter had to be sealed from the public. Unlike Ramaphosa, who had to hurriedly rush to the courts, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has had no objection to the investigation being done as to where she received support.' Another political analyst, Professor Siphamandla Zondi, said it is a known fact that patriarchy is a generalised condition of South African society and political parties exhibit it. He said this expresses itself in many ways including in equal access to essential resources and assets. 'Challenging the presidency of the ANC requires resources and these resources are mostly in the hands of men who support other men more than women. This gives a strong man an advantage over a strong woman contender,'' he said. He said that patriarchy also gives advantage to men, providing a perception that they are more competent, stronger and leader-like than women. Dlamini-Zuma said that South Africa should also look up to countries such as Rwanda, which is the first to have more than 60% women representation in parliament, adding that even though the ANC advocates for 50/50 representation, other political parties are not adhering to the policy, which brought the number to 46% in parliament. Dlamini-Zuma added that although women hold 50% of all leadership positions within the ANC, the percentage is not equal in the top positions.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma condemns Trump's approach to Africa
Former African Union (AU) Commission chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has expressed her disappointment and frustration with United States President Donald Trump. Image: Timothy Bernard Former African Union (AU) Commission chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has expressed her disappointment and frustration with United States President Donald Trump's approach towards Africa and South Africa. Pretoria's relationship with Washington deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed office in January. Absent a trade deal, certain South African exports face the imposition of 30% tariffs, the highest for any sub-Saharan African nation, starting Friday. This development follows months of heightened tensions concerning various domestic and international policies. In addition to disputes over various issues, such as South Africa's accusation of genocide against Israel in Gaza at the International Court of Justice, Washington expelled Pretoria's ambassador Ebrahim Rasool in March after he criticised Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. According to Dlamini-Zuma, Trump is a "difficult person" who seems to prioritise American interests over global cooperation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Dlamini-Zuma referenced Trump's past comments on Africa, stating, "You must remember what he said in his first campaign before his first term…He said Africa needs to be recolonised. So what do we expect?" She emphasised the importance of African unity, saying if Africa was united, it would not be possible that Africa becomes recolonised. Dlamini-Zuma also criticised Trump's narrative on white genocide in South Africa, calling it "deliberate misinformation". She pointed out that crime is a significant issue in South Africa, but there is no evidence to support the claim of genocide against white people. "If you look at the statistics, it is the black people who die more, every time the statistics are given," she said. Dlamini-Zuma stressed Africa's need to collaborate and promote its interests. She advocated for the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade and economic growth. "We need to work together and that's why we want an Africa continental free trade so that we must trade amongst ourselves and promote each other's interests," she said. She further emphasised the importance of empowering youth and women in Africa's development. She called on governments and stakeholders to provide accessible education and skills training, stating, "Young people have the right to education, and they must actively pursue it". She also urged young Africans to engage in sectors such as mineral processing and the ocean economy to drive sustainable growth. Dlamini-Zuma highlighted the need for Africa to decolonise its mindsets and prioritise inclusive development. "We need to decolonise minds. If we do not, we remain colonised," she said, emphasising the importance of self-determination and African-led development. As a pan-Africanist, Dlamini-Zuma said she was committed to promoting African development and restoring the continent's history. She also took the opportunity to announce the NDZ foundation-the Africa we want saying the new organisation was in the pipeline and was meant to engage on issues on the African agenda. It is expected to be launched by the end of the year. International Relations expect Dr Noluthando Phungula mirrored Dlamini Zuma's views about Trump's attitude towards Africa and South Africa. 'Trump has been clear from the onset about his policy position. He is clear on putting America first, so it is quite disingenuous for South Africa or Africa to pull the humanity card when dealing with Trump." She described bilateral relations between Washington and Pretoria as a political drama. 'The Trump administration is at odds with Pretoria's prominent position in the International Court of Justice's case against Israel, which stands accused of genocide in Gaza,' Phungula said.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma: Women continue to face poverty and inequality
ANC veteran and former anti-apartheid activist Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers As South Africa commemorates Women's Month, ANC veteran Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of poverty, and that there should be equal opportunities between women and men. Dlamini-Zuma said this is because the system is still working against women despite constitutional protections and legislative efforts. She was speaking during her visit to the Independent Media newsroom on Tuesday. Every year, in August, South Africa celebrates Women's Month to pay tribute to the more than 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956, in protest against the extension of the pass laws to women. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading During Women's Month, South Africa celebrates women as active agents of change and social transformation. The commemoration also allows the country to take stock of achievements and challenges that remain while mobilising support for the further development of women. Dlamini-Zuma, who is also the former chairperson of the African Union (AU) executive council of ministers, said this is because South Africa has become a patriarchal society where men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. She said one of the root causes for this is that some parents taught their children that men are more capable than women. 'And we allow this thing instead of bringing girls and boys equally. I was fortunate because my parents, especially my dad, always said we all go to school, especially the girls, because I don't want to see you sitting in a toxic situation for the sake of food. 'He would also tell us that education is the only thing that nobody can take from you. He said this is the only thing he will leave with us. So we were lucky that way,' said the former anti-apartheid activist. Dlamini-Zuma said the pay gap between men and women needs to be addressed. She said while the government has resolved the issue, this persists in the private sector, despite research showing that companies with more women in management are more competitive than those without female leaders. According to the Business Case for Change study by the International Labour Organisation, companies that promote parity in management positions increase their profits by 5% to 20%. A study conducted by the consultancy group McKinsey revealed that companies with more gender diversity at the top are 21% more likely to have above-average profitability, adding that women tend to bring diverse perspectives and styles on how to solve problems. Women leaders tend to place higher emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, and research published in Harvard Business Review found that when a woman joins corporate leadership ranks, employee engagement and satisfaction skyrocket, boosting productivity and profitability while creating more cohesive, more effective teams. Dlamini-Zuma said, however, despite this evidence, many companies still have more men in the management positions. She added that what is even worse is that women are still the face of poverty, adding that they are poorer than everyone else. She stated that this is because it is difficult for women to access financial resources. 'Even when they have good ideas, women find it difficult to access funding from financial institutions. Everything is just against women. Regardless of our Constitution, it is generally very difficult to be a woman, including the fact that women also face additional challenges such as gender-based violence and many others,' she said, adding that this is one of the reasons the economy remains stagnant. 'No country will reach its full potential without involving women. It won't happen and we will always be crying about the economy not growing,' said Dlamini-Zuma, who also added that women should be given equal opportunities as men.
