We might never be ready for Madam President, but we need her

I saw the headline ANC Women’s League saying South Africa is not ready for a female president. 
My immediate reaction was: “and this is a leader of a women’s organisation, suppose to lead other women, saying this!” now I could probably question her leadership style and capabilities, but that’s not my worries, at least not right now.
I’ve been thinking, is saying this not a slap in the face of the many female activist? 
People like Bertha Mhkize, Florence Matomela,Fatima Meer, Bibi Dawood, Lillian Ngoyi, Ray Alexander, Helen Joseph, Amina Cachalia, Rahima Moosa, Sophie Williams and many more.
Before I continue, let me first state, South Africa does not have a shortage of female leaders and as a guy I am willing to admit some of our female leaders are way better than some of our male leaders.
Back to that statement that South Africa is not ready for a female president....
Angie Motshekga, ANC Women’s League leader, I agree with you – South Africa is not ready for a female president. But then again South Africa was probably not ready for democracy, nor were we ready for corruption in the public sector, or GuptaGate, Arms Deal, Nkandlagate, shall I continue or stop here?

South Africa’s slogan after democracy became alive with possibility but for the past almost two years our new slogan has been: Inspiring new ways. Is it not then time to start with our Commander-in-Chief?

Now the big question: Like really, who should we elect?
Irrespective of political affiliation names that come to mind for the position of female president and for some reason top of my list is the longest-serving female minister dr. Lindiwe Sisulu (current Human Settlements minister, daughter of struggle stalwarts Walter and Albertina) then there’s one of my favourite politicians Patricia de Lille (executive mayor of Cape Town).
Sisulu was previously minister of Intelligence, Defence and Military Veterans as well as Public Service and Administration.
De Lille was previously Western Cape Social Development minister and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport.

Other possible strong candidates could include 

• Helen Zille (Western Cape Premier and former DA Leader), 
• Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (former African Union Chairperson and former minister of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Health), 
• Naledi Pandor (Science and Technology Minister), 
• Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (executive director of UN Women and South Africa’s first female deputy president), 
• Dr. Hlengiwe Mhkize (deputy minister Telecommunications and Postal Services) and 
• Baleka Mbete (National Assembly Speaker, ANC National Chairperson and former Deputy President)

Female leaders as contenders I’m not so sure about are Mamphela Ramphele (former AgangSA leader) and adv. Thuli Madonsela (former Public Protector of South Africa). 
Names I might just consider throwing into the hat (in no particular order) include 

• Lindiwe Mazibuko (former DA Parliamentary Leader), 
• Sandra Botha (former Ambassador to Czech Republic and DA Parliamentary leader), 
• Rhoda Kadalie (founder of Gender Equity Unit) and even 
• Brigalia Bam (former Chairperson of the IEC).

I can’t help but wonder though how would a presidency under dr. Frene Ginwala (former Speaker of Parliament), Sophie Williams-De Bruyn (anti-apartheid activist), Graca Michael (wife of late former president Nelson Mandela) or Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (former wife of Madiba) would be. Okay maybe not Winnie, but I can’t help wondering.
It has become a trend for South Africa to copy the United States, however not on the political front and this is somewhat good. South Africa had a black president before America.
Former US First Lady and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton won the popular vote in the 2016 US Presidential election but Donald Trump secured enough Electoral College votes to get to the White House.
Come 2020 who knows it might be another former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice against another former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Our next General Election is in 2019 and it looks like we might be one step ahead of the free world again.

On the question? I agree with the ANC Women’s League, South Africa is not ready to elect our first female president, but we sure can elect our first Madam President.

This blog was updated on 17 March 2017.

Raising your child with love is better than Spanking

In October 2013 the then social development minister, Bathabile Dlamini, hit a nerve when she said her department will look at drafting a bill making it illegal to spank your child, in the comfort of your own home – this could lead to parents soon being charged for assault if they smack their child’s bottom with a flat hand or use any form of corporal punishment at home.

Dlamini said if a husband beats his wife, it is a crime, but if a parent hits a helpless child, it is not illegal.

I’m sure the honourable minister did not wake up that Sunday morning with a sermon on the radio, TV or her head telling her let the children come to me, but that she realised the outcry by so many abuse children.

Taking into consideration that it is government’s task to protect the children of our country with laws, and then yes I could easily support the possible proposed Anti-Spanking Law. But taking into consideration that corporal punishment is prohibited in our schools since 2006 and the current discipline amongst school learners since then, I doubt if I could support minister Dlamini.

The draft law is being considered so parents don’t end up killing their children and believe it or not but there are parts in our country where certain parents believe they have to discipline their child until there is blood. You and I would both agree that is abuse, but clearly not in the eyes of that parent. I find it highly unlikely that in such case a three year old would go to the police to report their parent and lay assault charges. Chances are that incident will instead repeat itself.

Dlamini was correct when she said parents have a responsibility to raise their children with proper values. The how they do this would differ.

I got a good hiding, even if I as much as talk back to my parents. I remember being a toddler and by accident hitting my sister (two years younger than I were) with a broomstick. Boy oh boy the spank I got was no accident. Homework had to be done and you had to help your neighbour or the slipper will meet your bum.

We need to face reality and be honest. Spanking a child can leave that child with a life long scar. This is something we cannot determine now but will only reveal itself years later, too late to regret that you did not stop when you heard the cries: "No mommy/daddy, no..."

I'm sure all parents at some stage make the promise to raise their child in and with love, not spanking and with abuse.
I am against South Africa becoming a nanny-state, especially with a government telling me how to raise my child but I am more so against the abuse of a minor. 

Yes spanking 20-years ago was good, but disciplining a child became abusing a child. I firmly believe you can discipline a child without touching the child, by simply loving that child.

A child will most likely listen when a parent, still in a firm strict voice, speaks with love and not threaten to spank and cast fear.

The Afrikaans-saying “Buig die boompie terwyl dit nog jonk is” does not refer to spanking your child, but raising your child in values with love.