'I Have My Own Identity'

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma denies she’s only a candidate for the ANC’s top position thanks to her ex-husband

- Gabisile NgCobo

SHE’S waiting for us at the arranged meeting spot at 8am on a bitterly cold Bloemfontein morning, signature doek with a hint of ANC colours in place, entourage hovering close by.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is in the Free State capital doing community work and will soon be leaving for Kimberley in the Northern Cape on yet more official business.

Life is busy for the 68-year-old ANC presidential hopeful – and it will only get more hectic as the countdown to the party’s elective conference begins in earnest.

Several ANC bigwigs have thrown their hats into the ring for the top job but Dlamini-Zuma and deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa are the frontrunners at this stage.

Dlamini-Zuma has her fair share of supporters, including the ANC in the Free State, North West and Mpumalanga. Then there’s her ex-husband, President Jacob Zuma – he wants her to be number one too.

And that’s a problem for many of her critics. We find out more.

SCOURGE OF CORRUPTION

Her critics say she’s firmly in the Zuma camp and fear not much will change in a country beset by problems and reeling under allegations of state capture and Guptagate should she win the election.

Dlamini-Zuma doesn’t agree. Corruption is the biggest problem in South Africa and it must be dealt with, she says. “It erodes the trust between government and the people and robs the country of resources that could be used to create a better life for our people.”

The government needs to make sure corruption is dealt with as soon as it’s uncovered, she adds. “Public servants and the executive at national, provincial and local level must all understand we’re there to serve the people.”