The ANCThe elective conference is expected to be a major turning point, with several candidates vying for the post of ANC deputy president, including newly appointed Minister of Human Settlements, Water Supply and Sanitation and National Executive Committee (NEC) member Mmamolaka Kubai, who is considered a potential candidate. .
When the NEC met last weekend to finalize the nomination of NEC members, Moloto Tambane Branch 14 in Soweto nominated Kubai for the post.
If elected, she will become the first woman to hold the post of ANC deputy president.
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Political scientist Dr Ntsikelela Snyadanak said that while the ANC had pursued a transformation program that sought to promote the inclusion of women, it was only in theory because women were in the background in terms of representation in the state apparatus, the private sector and the ANC.
He said the party had failed to ensure that there was a 50-50 agenda in leadership positions.
“The problem was how the patriarchy was built into this party,” he said. “The ANC is a microcosm of society where men don’t want to give up their privileges, and these were factors that needed to be taken into account,” said Kubai, 44, who is running for vice president.
Ideally, it would be wise to seat a younger person. It was alarming that some men were questioning the offer of a woman in leadership and her readiness, but the question would not have arisen if it had been a male candidate.
“Women were held to different standards,” he said.
Kubai was a good candidate, Snyadanak said, and the party needed “a breath of fresh air.” But it is one thing to take office, and another thing to hold on to it.
“Politics is not just about the ideological framework you subscribe to, it’s also about maneuverability,” he said.
“Maneuvering required survival strategies and being able to execute your vision, which was a difficult task.”
Kubai said it would be a tough road against candidates like ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile and NEC members Ronald Lamola, Jeff Radebe, Thandi Madis and Vuiswa Thulelo.
Someone told her she was brave to raise her hand because people were afraid, she said.
“It’s scary, I have to say, but we will break barriers … “It’s not just about me, it’s about us breaking the ceiling in ANC women’s leadership and creating history,” she said.
Political scientist Levi Ndu said it was important for Kubayi to support structures within the ANC.
A possible problem could be that Kubai and other members such as President Cyril Ramaphosa, Gauteng Prime Minister David Mahura and Mashatile are from Gauteng and it would be unwise for the province to monopolize the top six.
“It will require lobbying and compromises from other provinces,” he said.
Questions remain, where did the current vice president, David Mabuza, go? Ndu said he had made it clear he could continue in office if Ramaphosa was president.
“Kubaya needed to see if she could fight Mabuza,” he said.
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