Image from iol.co.za

It’s official, the ANC rules our lives.

I mean, a whole week in December, saw us putting our lives on hold and in distress, waiting patiently as the future of this country unveiled during the current ruling party’s 54th elective conference, held in Nasrec, Johannesburg. Why we allowed this in ka #KeDezembaBoss fever, beats me but I see it didn’t deter some from enjoying and partaking in the tradition of ‘going for a braai at the park with friends’ Day on the 16th of December. If there is a public holiday that is always pre-planned for such at every start of the year, it has to be this Day of Reconciliation. A day where we reconcile most of our differences supposedly next to a braai stand. But I digress.

Some, like me, were unfortunate enough to not own a TV set at the time, (but do pay their TV licenses, Alas) due to some unforseen circumstances, were busy refreshing our feeds all over social media to ensure that we were abreast with the happenings from the ANC delegates gathered in Nasrec, not for a soccer match or the Rand Easter Show, but for this all important conference.

A conference that saw the emergence of slates, hashtags and slogans ranging from ‘radical economic transformation’, #CR17 to ‘It’s a Must!’ It was a matter of radical importance that it became a Must that it completed ASAP so that South Africans could carry on with their December fever plans. But this conference was important because the outcome of it may have potentially had an effect on the interest rates, thus disturbing the normal status quo of the December spending month.

What a wonderful coverage of this conference from all media houses across the country. With regular, up to the minute updates, in depth analysis and reflections on the conference were everywhere. One had to be underground, hibernating or stuck under a rock somewhere where there is no signal to be caught lacking information, updates or breaking news for the conference.

From credential delays, to songs that are akin to such gatherings of comrades, it’s safe to say that this elective conference had all the elements of a conference that was anticipated which saw Cyril Ramaphosa emerging as the new president of the African National Congress. An important position this is, as the gentleman may potentially be the country’s next president and is well-placed as someone whose ideals and policy stances can shape the future of this country.

Now back to why I decided to write this piece.

There was a mix bag of reactions when #CR17 emerged victorious, somewhat, and with the new-look ANC Top 6. On one hand, there are views from analysts regarding the fact that although Ramaphosa has defeated Dlamini-Zuma for the Presidency, there are indications that majority of the NEC, together with the policies adopted, are primarily those that belong to #NDZ. In a time when the ANC has been calling for unity due to the fragmented nature of the body caused by factionalism and to some regard, attributed to the outgoing president, it was interesting for the public to see who exactly is this ‘unity’ that they speak so candidly of and most importantly what it would look like.

Here, I would like to unpack some of the reasons that may have led to #NDZ coming second.

1. The curse of association.

There is an old saying that best provides an intro to this, which says ‘show me your acquaintances and I will tell you who you are.’ People always associate you with the type of people you surround yourself with. Whether it is a good thing or not, is debatable but fact of the matter is, that is how the world operates. The #NDZ camp was flooded with individuals who were under the public’s radar for their alleged corrupt tendencies and dodgy dealings. The likes of President Jacob Zuma, social development minister Bathabile Dlamini and the likes. Her being seen as the former wife to current President Jacob Zuma, may also have contributed towards her being viewed as one who could potentially be on the Zuma camp. It is rather sad how, for a woman, it is difficult to write yourself off a failed marriage to someone while the contrary is not for the man. She was once married to Jacob Zuma but then divorced him and the latter fact seems to easily fly through people’s heads when looking at her competency for leadership, which I find completely unfair.

Her leadership credentials speak for themselves, are unquestionable and have been able to be her biggest asset in stamping her strengths to be given an opportunity for possible consideration to lead the oldest liberation movement in the country. Her leadership and experience in cabinet from her department of Foreign Affairs days to her tenure as minister of health and home affairs speak volumes for her although some may hold a negative view of her tenure at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

2. The divided ANCWL support vote.

The ANC Women’s league, under the leadership of current president Bathabile Dlamini, failed to put forward a united call for any woman, not just a particular woman, to be elected as ANC president. There appeared to be apparent divisions between the nominated female candidates which did not put across a unanimous call for a woman to be elected thus resulting in split votes. Other women candidates required the support of the ANCWL to hopefully ascend to senior positions in the Top 6. The fact of only one candidate being put forward and pushed for full support may have contributed negatively towards the hopeful rise of #NDZ.

What I know for sure is that the country was robbed of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s steadfast leadership as an unfortunate result.