Ramaphosa's decision to pick Pandor 'unexpected'
Political analyst Professor Willie Breytenback has described as unexpected, Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to pick Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor as his preferred choice for deputy president.
Breytenback believes the deputy president, who is hoping to succeed President Jacob Zuma at the African National Congress' (ANC) national conference in December, might have felt pressure to pick a female running mate, given the ANC's gender policies.
Many in the ANC, especially those in support of fellow presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, believes the time has come for a female president.
Ramaphosa announced Pandor as his preferred candidate for the deputy president position in Limpopo on Sunday.
"She is certainly a wise choice. It breaks from tradition in the ANC but then it's perhaps time that some of the old patriarchal values make way for this, something new. This should be applauded."
Rampahosa's slate includes former KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairperson Senzo Mchunu for secretary-general, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe for the chairperson's position and current Gauteng ANC chairperson Paul Mashatile as treasurer.
"She is very quiet but she is a lady with wisdom. She has the appropriate experience in government portfolios over a period of 20 years or so. It's interesting that her name pops out now and not any of the other ladies also running for president," says Breytenback.