Neelam Rahim – neelam@radioislam.co.za

3 minute read 
14 September 2022 
13:00 pm CAT

Former president Jacob Zuma has called on his supporters to throw their weight behind his former wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as she announced that she would contest President Cyril Ramaphosa at the ANC’s December elective conference. News24 also reported that it has reliably learnt that Zuma had to be dissuaded by ANC NEC members loyal to him to contest the position of ANC national chairperson at the conference.

In discussion with Radio Islam International, political analyst Prof Amanda Gouws said Zuma’s support is restricted to the KZN region and those who support radical economic transformation. 

According to Gouws, it may be a case that Zuma thinks that he will not be prosecuted by getting his wife into the Presidency. It may also be that Zuma wants to oppose Zweli Mkhize. 

She said Dlamini Zuma is not a very charismatic leader as she is 73 years old. 

“There is so much criticism of the ANC lately. To place Dlamini Zuma, who is relatively old and does not have a presence in the public eye as the president, maybe the case where people just don’t want that.” 

Gaus added that there has to be the implementation of the new legislation, which makes it possible for independence and independent candidates to enter on a national level. 

“That law has to be implemented in the 2024 election.” 

The ANC has now been saying that they want a woman for president. Gous noted there were rumours that the ANC women’s league in KZN are in support of Dlamini Zuma’s candidacy. However, they have come out and said they have not decided, nor have they even met. 

Gous stated that the situation surrounding Dlamini Zuma is the internal politics in the ANC and may be many things that the public is unaware of. 

“It’s seemingly a manipulation to get rid of Cyril Ramaphosa. This is one of opposing him as an uncontested candidate.” 

She added Dlamini Zuma was persuaded by either her ex-husband or the radical economic transformation to oppose Ramaphosa.

Listen to the interview on Radio Islam’s podcast below.