Silence on dangers of patriarchal tendencies

Sandile Dikeni

Let’s put it this way – my throat is slightly dry. Slightly dry but not dry enough for me not to be able to ask this very important question. The ANC, it is no secret, is more than a century old. About 103 years old. And in its more than a century of existence, it has never had a woman president! It is slightly difficult to believe, but it is true.

Believe it or not, the dynamism of the ANC has not allowed it to push the likes of Lillian Ngoyi or Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to the heights of the ANC presidency.

The many women who have decorated the many intricacies of the progressive struggle have never succeeded in leading the main power seats of the movement now famous as the ANC.

It is not a secret that the ANC is a thought leader when it comes to understanding power relations in South Africa.

It is, therefore, not very comfortable to note that in its dynamism in social thinking, the organisation has not thought that the celebration of women ought to be an urgent part of the national agenda.

Excuse my modesty, but I do think that the ultimate tone in celebration of women should be articulated in a fashion that tells the nation and the world that we do have a confidence in the many talents of women.

I have not really studied the many patriarchal tendencies possessed by Africa and the world, but I do think it is fair to say the two world wars were caused by men and not women. I am not suggesting the world should be seen as an evil space that does not have a sociology for women. The year is 2015, but I do not think the sexism we see is reflective of the year.

I think that there is a silence about the dangers suggested by the patriarchal tendencies. I think the world should be engaged in a conversation that suggests the beautiful possibilities offered by these beautiful people.

As an organisation that has first taught me the social consciousness of anti-sexism together with non-racialism, I have to ask the ANC, when are we getting a woman leader?

It is also ironic that the current leader of the country is very dodgy when it comes to sexual issues. It is not a secret that many progressive people do not think that polygamy is really a need. It is also true that it is not everyday that one is likely to hear the many voices that condemn it, but I must confess that the most times I heard non-sexist conversations was in the ANC context.

When I first met the ANC in London in the late 1980s and 1990s, my driver and companion was Baleka Kgositsile, now Mbete. A beautiful lady, who I must quickly divulge, is also a beautiful poet. Then she was married to a friend who still teaches me the humilities of humanity, Willie Keorapetse Kgositsile, an international poet. She is now an executive member of the ANC.

Could she be the first woman to become president of this country? I do not know. But I would not be worried if she did. Nor would you. Let me be quick to say that this column has not been instructed by her. It is just common sense that says to me that the ultimate indication of our political growth in national politics will achieve a great boost in our braveness to see that feminine political power is more than demanded in South Africa.

It is not sentimental to be able to see that the depths in world politics are reached in a deep sense by the deployment of the many beautiful attributes that we possess. Woman, excuse the pun, is that depth.

The DA in South Africa had Helen Zille as a leader. She played a magnificent role in the organisation’s role in our politics. We must not be scared to have a discourse that liberates thinking from means and tendencies that narrow us from our humanity.

Okay, I am not really a fan of the English, but have noted their daring. Remember Margaret Thatcher? I am not a fan of hers, but noted her role in world politics. So did you. I remember the irony of British politics led by her. She could not be ignored.

Remember also the British queen? She caught the unceasing attention of the whole world. I am not sure what will happen should King Zwelithini of the Zulus die. It is not my opinion that a Zulu woman will ever run KwaZulu. Nor do I see a woman ruling the Xhosa. This is not my political derision of the Xhosa and Zulu. It is, rather, a reading of the anthropologies of the tribes. Eish!

It is difficult not to comment at the anthropologies of the tribes, but I would prefer to stick to the limits of national politics. I think it is safer and, besides, easier. It also helps us to formulate tendencies that help us to be conversant with our, shall I say, very deep anthropologies.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela comes to mind though. He was Thembu royalty but I think he tried to negotiate his tribal realities when it came to matrimony. It is not a secret that he divorced Winnie before he got married to Graça Machel.

Between you and me, I am glad in a way, that Madiba got to be known by the South African people when he was old. Can you imagine him younger as a boxer? I don’t want to! Let’s just say I like the beautiful images he carried… I also don’t want to hear your opinion on Jesus and his conversation with the Samaritan women he asked for water.

As an aside; don’t you think that the ANC must rethink the women’s league? Or rather, the women’s league must rethink itself. I can see the role that they have played. So can you! It is an enormous role that will not be forgotten.

How can one forget the likes of Albertina Sisulu and Adelaide Tambo. I have seen many streets that are named after them. I like that. I do, however, think that there is need for a discourse that deepens our conversations on sexism in a broader context.

Mind I do not think that it is an easy discourse. On the contrary, I do think that world peoples will learn from this country the beautiful moments of complex discourse that always declined the narrow lines of a chit chat.

There is a likelihood that the democratic spaces of this country will open a more than normal position in the grand places of authority.

Remember Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka as deputy president? I do. I remember how many women were trying to tell me that they were related to her and how it is important that I try not to mess with them else they might tell her nice things about me. Eish!