Durban - Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi’s long leave from public life had exposed the National Freedom Party’s male leaders, who had failed to seize the opportunity to take the reins, said a leader.
Monday marked a year since KaMagwaza-Msibi, who is also the deputy minister of science and technology, went on sick leave after she had a stroke in her Newcastle home.
NFP leader Wiseman Mcoyi, an eThekwini councillor, said the men left in charge had failed miserably.
“Her absence created chaos in the party, and exposed us men within the party, that we are not as capable as a woman,” said Mcoyi.
KaMagwaza-Msibi collapsed in her house on November 16 last year, a day after she and Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor had attended a government function in Ulundi.
Besides KaMagwaza-Msibi, the NFP national executive committee is composed of men such as deputy president Alex Kekana, national chairman Maliyakhe Shelembe, secretary-general Nhlanhla Khubisa and deputy secretary-general Sicelo Mabika.
“Women are accused of being incapable of leading better than men, but this time around we have been exposed as men. This makes us men feel inferior,” said Mcoyi.
Political analyst Protas Madlala concurred with Mcoyi that the party was in trouble.
“The party is in tatters. It is falling apart. It is because the leadership is centred around herself, just like in the IFP,” he said.
Since KaMagwaza-Msibi’s departure the party had experienced the forced redeployment of 30 councillors from various municipalities to campaign for the local government election.
The councillors had interpreted this as expulsion from municipalities. There were also party leaders who had been suspended because of infighting over control of the party and its finances.
However, Khubisa said the party was merely suffering internal conflicts, just like any political party. “Even before she took ill those things were there. Internal conflicts in any party are normal. But what is of paramount importance to us is the question of forging unity within the party, galvanising and mobilising our support in preparation for the local government elections.”
Khubisa said the party was satisfied to hear that she had recovered.
“But we don’t want to bother her with issues of work at the moment because we know very well she is on sick leave. We are excited to hear that she is recovering … we are waiting for her to take the party forward,” said Khubisa.
The Mercury
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