The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) has slammed the ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma for undermining the authority of premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
Duma, who is also the MEC for economic development in the province, has been cited for several occasions for undermining Dube-Ncube since her appointment to the KZN premier post, replacing Sihle Zikalala.
Many have argued that Dube-Ncube is just the face while Duma is the actual premier and his behaviour around the premier has helped to fuel the narrative.
Duma, under ordinary circumstances, would be the premier given a long-standing tradition within the governing party to make its provincial chairpersons premiers, bar when it is time for gender parity.
The expectation from Duma to become premier also stems from the fact that it would have been a like-for-like replacement with Zikalala having been a male.
Duma condemned publicly
The ANCWL is the first ANC structure to come out to condemn Duma publicly, whom they believe undermines Dube-Ncube because she is female.
Duma’s stunts have culminated from a series of events wherein he took a leadership role in government events where the premier is also present. Normally, the expectation would be that Dube-Ncube must lead from the front as the province’s number one citizen.
“The ANCWL is deeply concerned by the ongoing and regrettable actions of the MEC responsible for economic development and chairperson of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, comrade Siboniso Duma, which have repeatedly undermined the authority and leadership of the premier of the province, comrade Nomusa Dube-Ncube,” fumed ANCWL deputy secretary-general Dina Pule.
“These regrettable actions not only continue to undermine the authority of the premier of the province but also betray the principles of non-sexism and gender equality that are fundamental to the ANC’s ideology.
“Gender equality is not just an ideal, but a fundamental principle that the ANC identifies with.
“The actions of comrade Siboniso Duma demonstrate a regrettable departure from this essential value, perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes which have no place within the ANC or in broader political discourse.”
Behaviour destabilises government
Pule insisted that Duma’s behaviour does not only disrespect Dube-Ncube but is also destabilising the functioning of the provincial government.
“Furthermore, this persistent behaviour disrupts the harmonious functioning of the provincial government, impeding the progress and development that the people of KZN rightfully deserve.
“It is crucial that all members and leaders of the ANC respect the established leadership structures of government and work collectively towards the betterment of the province and its citizens.
“It is disheartening to witness a leader of the ANC fail to uphold these fundamental principles.
“The premier of KZN, comrade Nomusa Dube-Ncube, is the duly appointed head of government, entrusted with the responsibility to lead the province towards progress, prosperity, and the fulfilment of the aspirations of its citizens, and should not be undermined in her course to do so,” said Pule.
