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By Citizen Reporter

Journalist


Become a full-time politician or just shut up, Zuma tells Madonsela

The president's eldest son had some harsh words for the former public protector after she suggested that Dlamini-Zuma would become a proxy female president.


While addressing a press gathering in Cape Town, Madonsela made comments that could be interpreted as her questioning Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s capability to lead the ANC and country independently.

“I’m neither qualified to be president nor interested in that job.”

“Should he be a male, should she be a female … I would love it to be a female, but I would hate to have a female that is a proxy, because that would be worse than having a man,” said Madonsela.

Edward Zuma said Madonsela was clearly referring to his ex-stepmother, who is at the forefront of a presidential campaign within the governing party and has the support of President Jacob Zuma, the Women’s League and three premiers from Mpumalanga, North West and Free State.

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She is heavily touted to claim a large majority of votes against Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has the backing of Cosatu.

Dismissing Madonsela, Edward had a few critical words to describe her.

“She is rude. She would love to see a female South African president, but it should not be a proxy. Clearly she is insulting uNkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. My interest is the ANC, clearly the female candidate is known, it is Nkosazana, we all know that. Obviously if she says she does not want a president who is a proxy, she is referring to her, whose proxy is Nkosazana?”

Edward hasn’t shied away from defending his family, even going as far as to speak on issues concerning his father’s political opponents, such as Gordhan, who he accused of ‘playing the victim card’.

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