The Gauteng RET President Zuma Support Group urges President Cyril Ramaphosa to defend Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and calls for unity in the ANC
5 May 2020
The Gauteng RET President Zuma Support Group is appalled by the persistent patriarchal and sexist attacks that are being directed at Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma is under attack for simply having carried out her duties as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) who, in terms of the Disaster Management Act of 2020, has the responsibility to coordinate our country's national disaster mitigation efforts. The fact that these attacks by the cigarette and tobacco industry, because she announced the collective decision of the National Corona Virus Command Council (NCVCC) that the ban of the sale of cigarettes and tobacco related products is upheld, are framed in the most vile sexist and mysoginist language is deplorable, and must be condemned without any reservation.
The Gauteng RET President Zuma Support Group concurs with the outrage expressed by the ANC Women's League (ANCWL) about such sexist abuse, which is a disturbing indication of how deeply rooted sexism and patriarchy are still in our South African society.
We also agree with the statement that the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) issued yesteday, on Monday the 4th of May, that the attacks on Dr. Dlamini Zuma are intended to undermine the capability of Cabinet and the NCVCC to effectively function as a collective, with as the ultimate target to undermine unity in the African National Congress (ANC).