Sacked Minister Gets Hero’s Welcome

Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Health, was sacked by President Thabo Mbeki for attending an AIDS conference in Spain without permission. However, most people assume Mr Mbeki seized the opportunity to rid himself of a politician who had shown herself prepared to openly criticise the government’s approach to HIV and AIDS.

Yesterday, Madlala-Routledge arrived back in South Africa to a hero’s welcome. The Cape Times reports:

She arrived at Cape Town International Airport yesterday afternoon unaccompanied by aides or family, and eschewing the VIP lounge for the ordinary arrivals hall.

She was met by SACP, Cosatu and Treatment Action Campaign activists, as well as a large media contingent.

With her fist clenched defiantly in the air—Winnie Mandela-style—she posed for photographs and toyi-toyied briefly as supporters sang her praises, before proceeding to her official car.

According to the Handbook for Executive Members, she is still entitled to the perks of her position for a month after she leaves office, including a bodyguard/driver and official residences. It is not clear whether she will opt to make use of these for the entire period.

Supporters sang and danced inside and outside the arrivals hall, waving makeshift placards, saying "Thabo Mbeki: Stop Aids Denial" and "Fire Manto, Not Nozizwe".

TAC activist Vathiswa Kamkam, clutching a poster questioning why Mbeki had fired a "woman leader in Women’s Month", said she was embarrassed by his action.

"The president is firing a person who is doing her job well, who is showing leadership in all health issues and on HIV and Aids. I am so embarrassed, as I am also an ANC member."

(Photo by Howard Burditt.)