All eyes on Zuma’s right-hand woman

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the former AU Commission chairperson, will be sworn in as ANC MP, one of two new parliamentarians of the governing party. The move comes at a time when the contest for the ANC top post is heating up. Last weekend Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, also vying for the ANC presidency post, was the subject of media reports on extra-marital affairs. The Daily Maverick reports that Dlamini-Zuma’s move to Parliament is set to re-ignite speculation on a Cabinet reshuffle, particularly on the view in some circles that this may strengthen her hand in the campaign for the party presidency. If President Jacob Zuma wanted to appoint Dlamini-Zuma to his Cabinet – she has previously served in the health and home affairs portfolios – she would first have to become an ANC MP. This is because Zuma has already appointed the maximum constitutionally permissible two Ministers from outside the ranks of Parliament.