Following the departure of former Deputy President Jacob Zuma from office last week, President Thabo Mbeki has named our new Deputy President. Our new Deputy President is former Minister of Minerals and Energy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
I was a little surprised as I had bought into the rumours about other cabinet ministers who were said to be next in line. That being said, I think it is a great sign that our new Deputy President is a woman. Could she be our next President? President Mbeki made the following welcome comment:
"We thought that this gave us an opportunity further to strengthen the participation of women in the executive," Mbeki said.
Here is an interesting tidbit (also from IOL):
Mlambo-Ngcuka is married to former chief prosecutor Bulelani Ngcuka, who launched the case against Zuma when he announced in 2003 that there was a "prima facie" corruption case against the deputy president.
Ngcuka did not bring charges at the time, saying the case would be unwinnable in court.
But following the conviction of Zuma’s former financial adviser Schabir Shaik this month, prosecutors announced they would be bringing formal charges against Zuma.
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What do you think?