Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has announced her retirement from Parliament.
Why did Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma retire from Parliament?
This decision comes after Dlamini-Zuma informed the ANC’s electoral committee that she would not be available for interviews for the public representative list process ahead of this year’s elections.
Dlamini-Zuma, who served as the Minister in the Presidency responsible for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, has been a steadfast presence in South African politics.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to Kgalema Motlanthe, head of the ANC’s electoral committee, Dlamini-Zuma expressed her gratitude for the opportunities and support she received from the ANC leadership at all levels.
She stated:
“My sincere gratitude to the entire leadership of the African National Congress from national, provincial, regional, and branch levels for affording me the opportunity and support to serve the country and the people of South Africa as a public representative and as a member of the Cabinet since 1994.”
Despite not attributing a reason for her decision, Dlamini-Zuma’s retirement comes amid ongoing controversies within the ANC. For one, her ex-husband and former president Jacob Zuma has been stirring unrest within the ruling party with his outright condemnation of Cyril Ramaphosa’s tenure.
Tensions in the party’s leadership culminated into a viral moment during the ANC’s 112th birthday bash at Mbombela Stadium, where a group belonging to SANCO’s Ward 44 bomb-rushed the stage carrying an empty casket with the words ‘RIP Zuma‘ spraypainted on its sides.
A look back at Dlamini-Zuma’s career in politics
Dlamini-Zuma was one of the few politicians who served in Parliament since the establishment of the country’s first democratic administration in 1994.
Over the years, she was appointed to the Cabinets of all five democratically elected presidents since Nelson Mandela, playing pivotal roles in shaping the country’s policies and governance.
Her political journey took her beyond the borders of South Africa when she took a break from domestic affairs to become the first woman chairperson of the African Union (AU) from 2012 to 2017.
This role further cemented her as a formidable force in African politics and diplomacy.
Dlamini-Zuma’s decision to step down follows a period of controversy within the ANC.
She faced potential disciplinary actions for voting in favour of the adoption of a report recommending an impeachment process for President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala saga, despite party instructions to vote against it.
Alas, it remains unclear if the ANC’s uncertain future bore any significance to Dlamini-Zuma’s decision to retire from Parliament.