ANCWL slams Lindiwe Sisulu, warns against ‘politics of populism, opportunism’

The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) has launched a scathing attack on the party’s presidential hopeful, Lindiwe Sisulu.

In a thinly veiled attack on the minister, the league has warned her from “partaking in politics of populism and opportunism” after she questioned the league’s decision to endorse Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as the ANC’s next leader earlier this year.

This after Sisulu said in an interview with SA FM on Monday the ANCWL was wrong and undemocratic for its support of Dlamini-Zuma, saying anyone nominated by ANC branches could contest for the party’s presidency.

“First, the ANCWL said it is now time for a woman to lead the organisation. Then they said the only woman who is qualified and ready to lead the ANC is Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. I think it is wrong for them to say that. It is not only wrong, it is also undemocratic,” she told the radio station.

ANCWL secretary-general Meokgo Matuba on Tuesday took a swipe at the human settlements minister in a statement, saying they had noted with disdain her remarks during the interview.

She said Sisulu’s criticism suggested she was “aggrieved” by the decision taken by the ANCWL’s extended national executive committee in January, which included provincial and regional leaders, to endorse Dlamini-Zuma as President Jacob Zuma’s successor when he steps down as ANC leader in December.

“The democratically elected leadership of the ANCWL under Cde Bathabile Dlamini and her collective will not allow to be drawn into public spats with Cde Lindiwe or any leader of the movement,” Matuba said.

In an oblique attack on Sisulu, Matuba warned ANCWL supporters and members to desist from “politics of populism and opportunism amplified by some neoliberal media houses”.

She extended an invitation to the minister to approach her local branch to raise any grievances she might have.

“Persuasion not character assassination, labelling and name-calling must be encouraged in particular by those with a desire to lead. The masses still needs the ANC beyond the 2017 national elective conference for it to advance the National Democratic Revolution,” she said.

“Those with ambitions of being entrusted with responsibility of being at the helm of leading the ANC in December 2017 must lead by example in this regard.”

Sisulu broke with party tradition at the weekend when she officially unveiled her campaign manifesto – themed “It’s a must” – at Walter Sisulu Square, Soweto. She officially accepted nomination for the ANC presidency after she received the backing of several party branches in the Eastern Cape.

ANC national chairperson and National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete is another woman candidate in the party’s succession race.

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