RDlLwas nominated for the Tabbies Award for this article.
A determined Madam Chair to transform Ma’ Africa
At its 19th ordinary session of heads of state and government at the last African Union (AU) summit, Dr Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma had been elected as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) for the next four years.
On 15 July 2012, after an election battle that dragged on for months, Dr Dlamini-Zuma finally defeated Jean Ping of Gabon when 37 of the 54 African presidents from member states voted for her. She took office on 15 October 2012, making history by being the first woman, and first Anglophone, to chair the organisation. She’s also the first chairperson selected from the Southern African region.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma says, “It’s not only a personal victory but also a victory for all women on the continent. Every time a woman occupies a particular position, it means the way has been opened for more women to follow. It inspires them to see what can be achieved.”
With distinction, grace and humility, Dr Dlamini Zuma has served in the African National Congress (ANC) since South Africa attained freedom and democracy in 1994. She served as Minister of Health, Foreign Affairs and from 10 May 2009 as Minister of Home Affairs until her resignation on 2 October 2012.
As Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Dlamini Zuma witnessed the birth of the AU and contributed during its initial growth. She understands the AU and its mechanics. She knows the role it plays in promoting the political and socio-economic development of Africa and boosting the continent’s position internationally. She harbours intimate knowledge about the continent from a clear observer’s perspective with the background and expertise to foster conflict resolution and peace.
At the farewell banquet in honour of her new appointment, President Zuma said, “She’s indeed, one of the most resolute, honourable and dedicated cadres for improving the quality of life of all people.”
Established on 9 July 2002 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia consisting of 54 African states, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The Commission of the AU serves as its administrative branch and as a secretariat of the Pan African Parliament.
The Commission implements all AU policies and coordinates the body’s activities and meetings, whilst the most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly, a semi-annual meeting of the heads of state and governments of member states.
President Zuma said the AU technical infrastructure at Addis requires a strategist, a politically astute individual, a team worker, a unifier and someone who can motivate commissioners and staff to do more. “The continent will have an energetic, dedicated, strategic and focused chairperson who will ensure that the AU’s mission, vision, objectives and resolutions are implemented in a manner that changes the lives of Africans.”
The mission of the AU is to be an efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with AU member states, the regional economic communities and African citizens. However, the AU is frequently criticised for failing to keep up with the pace of economic and social change in Africa. Thus, all faith is set in Dr Dlamini-Zuma to inject efficiency and dynamism into all AU activities.
As a hard-working, strong, determined and sometimes stubborn leader, Dr Dlamini-Zuma will change the way the AU works by effectively rooting out mediocrity and deadwoods, and adding value by strengthening leadership, management, administration and delivery of services. She says, “The Commission should also strengthen the institution to be more responsive, and link with regional levels in a more robust and influential manner.”
Apart from Dr Dlamini-Zuma and her deputy, Erastus Mwencha of Kenya, there are eight commissioners who hold individual portfolios dealing with different areas of policy including, peace and security, political affairs, infrastructure and energy, social affairs, human resources, science and technology, trade and industry, rural economy and agriculture, and economic affairs.
Dr Dlamini Zuma has identified several areas of priorities for the continent: resolving conflicts since peace, security and stability are pre-requisites for development and good governance; promoting health, education and women’s rights; improving food security; building sustainable economies through integrating trade and infrastructure across Africa; exploiting natural resources; and eradicating poverty.
Around resolving conflicts, there are a number of areas in Africa that need serious attention such as the Sahel region, specifically Mali where Al Qaeda-linked Islamists are trying to impose Sharia law over the northern parts of the country after a coup earlier this year.
On her first European visit in mid-November as AUC chair, Dr Dlamini-Zuma met with French President Francois Hollande in Paris who took a leading role in pressing for a return to constitutionality in Mali. Dr Dlamini-Zuma says the AU would continue pressing for peace and a negotiated settlement in electing a government with more legitimacy.
Of more concern is that Mali’s north has become a centre of cross-desert narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, theft and keeping hostages. The trafficking of drugs has corrupted the Malian economy but also threatens the whole of Africa from the east to west.
“We need to look at the problem in a more holistic and comprehensive manner, addressing not only the issues of narcotic producers and distributors, but specifically also the end-user demands,” she says. The AUC is also engaged with peace processes in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Great Lakes region, Guinea Bissau, Sudan and Somalia.
At a social development level, the continent is under extreme pressure to meet the Millennium Development Goals on improving health, education, gender equality and poverty by 2015. Maternal and infant mortality also remains unacceptably high and the AUC will endeavour to reduce the number. She says, “Giving birth should be a pleasant function and a way of ensuring the continuing of the human race.”
High priority will be given to education, training and employment, particularly of young people, women and girls. The high rate at which students drop out of universities before they graduate suggests that students receive inadequate mentoring, or their interests are not properly addressed or exploited.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma says, “We definitely also need more skilled teachers in science and mathematics since the scope for technology development in Africa is huge.” She added in the very early development stages, is the Pan African University with five campuses planned in all of the main regions in Africa.
The AU has affirmed to make this a decade of women and will accelerate implementation of programmes related to the African Women’s Decade to realise gender equality. The programmes will ensure that women, who constitute slightly more than 50% of the African population, are brought into the mainstream of decision making processes and structures at all levels of society.
“Too few women are in business and we should encourage them to get involved. Some economies have grown and developed much faster where women took on a larger role. And where women are at the centre of governments, developments are more humanly centred,” says Dr Dlamini-Zuma. She’s also keen that civic registration and statistics across the continent should take place as she notes, “If you don’t know how many people there are, you can’t adequately prepare for them.”
Africa has 60% of the world’s arable land, and land is a source of livelihood for 70% of the population. Yet the continent generates only 10% of global agricultural output. The AUC will therefore put maximum effort into implementing the provisions of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), to combat food insecurity and so that Africa can feed itself and drive exports. Dr Dlamini-Zuma says, “Africa is using too much money to import food which could rather be used for schools and hospitals.”
It’s said Africa is the next big investment frontier over the next 50 years, and is already the third fastest growing region after Asia and the Middle East. The development of infrastructure and connectivity between the different African member states is key to facilitate intra African trade. “The distribution of goods across Africa remains a big challenge and is an area that will require a lot of regional participation,” she added.
The minerals exploration boom in Africa is expected to contribute significantly to the ambitious Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa led by the AUC, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Although underexplored, Africa hosts about 30% of the planet’s mineral reserves, including 40% of gold, 60% cobalt and 90% of the world’s PGM reserves, with a myriad of uranium deposits for nuclear energy resources.
For society to fully support the AU visions regarding all these challenges, Africans need to believe in their own potential and abilities, reversing animosity and self-doubt. “Members of society must not just wait for government and donors to do everything. Citizens and private institutions must be mobilised to see what they can do themselves, drive ideas, and participate in discussions, playing much stronger roles in implementing AU policies such as help developing infrastructure and tourism,” says Dr Dlamini-Zuma.
The new Madam Chair will be entrusted with various tasks and responsibilities and the skills she would employ to achieve them are the same as before. “I always try to inspire those I work with through example, addressing the human side as well, and not just the work side. I always try to get the best out of my team, as I believe you are only as good as your team, your success depends on how well the team performs.”
She tries to execute her duties as honestly and as best as she can, and at the end of each day asks, “Did I do my best today? You can’t lie to yourself, and if you didn’t, just try harder tomorrow.”
Dr Dlamini-Zuma always enjoyed serving people, “And I’m very excited to be of service to the continent and spend the next four years really putting my energies towards contributing in whichever humble way,” she smiles. “Also just knowing and getting feedback that people are inspired about what I do, and that I’m a role model to some make me happy.”
Luckily her children are all grown up today and attending to her various responsibilities is much easier than before when her mother had to assist in looking after her family. “One thing I’ve learned is children don’t always need you around physically, but you must remain the anchor in their lives. They must respect and understand the work you do and see you as a role model,” she says.
From Zulu decent, Dr Dlamini-Zuma was born on 27 January 1949 in KwaZulu Natal, the eldest of eight children. She completed high school at the Amanzimtoti Training College in 1967. In 1971, she started her studies in Zoology and Botany at the University of Zululand from where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (BSc). Afterwards, she started her medical studies at the University of Natal.
During her studies in the early 1970s, Dr Dlamini-Zuma became an active underground member of the ANC. At the same time, she was also a member of the South African Students Organisation and was elected as its deputy president in 1976. During the same year, Dr Dlamini-Zuma fled into exile but still managed to complete her medical studies at the University of Bristol in 1978.
She subsequently worked as a doctor at the Mbabane Government Hospital in Swaziland, where she met President Jacob Zuma. They got married in 1972, bore four children and divorced in 1998.
In 1985 she returned to the United Kingdom to complete a diploma in tropical child health from Liverpool University’s School of Tropical Medicine. After receiving her diploma, she worked for the ANC Regional Health Committee before accepting the position of director of the Health and Refugee Trust, a British non-governmental organisation.
During the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) in 1992, Dr Dlamini-Zuma was part of the Gender Advisory Committee. After the first all-inclusive South African elections of 1994, she was appointed as Minister of Health. She received a Doctor of Medicine degree (Honoris Causa) from University of Transkei in 1997 and an Honorary Degree from MEDUNSA in 1999.
Following the 1999 general election, Nelson Mandela retired as President and was replaced by Thabo Mbeki who appointed Dr Dlamini-Zuma as Minister of Foreign Affairs. She was offered the Deputy Presidency of South Africa by Thabo Mbeki after he fired Jacob Zuma, but she declined. She was also suggested as a possible ANC candidate for the Presidency in the 2009 election and for the leadership of the party.
Throughout her career, Dr Dlamini-Zuma received many awards, including the Honorary Doctorate of Law from University of Natal in 1995 and the same from University of Bristol in 1996. On 17 May 1999 she received the Tobacco Free World Award (WHO), and in 2002 the Women Who Make a Difference Award from International Women’s Forum (IWF).
Other awards include the Premium Award on NEPAD from Tribute Magazine in 2002; the Grand Maitre de L’orde National (Orde National du Mali) of the Republic of Mali on 07 May 2002; the Stateswomen of the year Award from BBQ in 2004; the Order of Peter the Great, First Class, Russian Federation in 2005; Honorary Professor of the Belarusian State University in 2007; Huesped Illustre de la Cuidad de la Habana (Illustrious Guest of Havana City) decoration in Cuba and Huesped Illustre de la Cuidad de la Santiago (Illustrious Guest of Santiago) decoration in Chile.
What lies in her future after the four years at the AUC is completed, is somewhat of an enigma. “No one knows what the future would bring and what would be presented to me, either in politics or elsewhere. We’ll see,” she smiles graciously. “But what I do know is, I’ll come back to South Africa and if I’m still healthy, will keep on serving my people. I’m just a human being who loves humanity and would like to see South Africans work hard, be honest and love one another, love their country and the continent, and always be willing to help the next person.”
All eyes will be upon Dr Dlamini-Zuma during her term, as some comments suggested she’s ‘in over her head with a heavy burden put upon her shoulders’. Dr Dlamini-Zuma’s work in South Africa rescuing the Department of Home Affairs from the throes of indiscriminate chaos was widely applauded. As such, South Africa sadly sacrifices her to the AUC with very few people doubting her ability to turn the organisation around.
With a proven track record in domestic governance, she certainly appears to be well qualified for the job, and to further enforce the core messages of the AU: peace, hope, wealth, a bright future, unity and African solidarity.
Africa will always hold its charm even amidst conflict, poverty and uncertainties, and as fellow Africans we can certainly commit some phrases of the AU’s anthem to memory: “O sons and daughters of Africa, flesh of the sun and flesh of the sky, let us make Africa the tree of life. Let us all unite and sing together to uphold the bonds that frame our destiny, let us dedicate ourselves to fight together, for lasting peace and justice on earth.”
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Written for: Capemedia | Leadership Magazine | Ed 1113 | Order 13165
Contact: Megan Sell
Editor: Lindsay King
Deadline: 20 November 2012