Manto's man to her aid
2003-09-15 19:47
Cape Town - Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang's spokesperson Sibani Mngadi hit back at opposition parties' criticism of the decision to make her acting president in the absence of President Thabo Mbeki and his deputy Jacob Zuma on Monday.
The Democratic Alliance and United Democratic Movement both said they did not believe she was fit for the job.
Mbeki and Zuma were attending the Burundi peace talks in Tanzania.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Mngadi said her "rising profile" would remain "mind-boggling for the DA and other reactionary forces in this country".
The reality was that Tshabalala-Msimang had worked hard in implementing the health policies of the ANC that improved the health of the poor majority in the country.
"The majority of South Africans reiterated their confidence in Tshabalala-Msimang by putting her at number 15 among the 60 members of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) during the ANC national conference in December last year.
"Last month, the representatives of women of this country put her at number two in the NEC of the ANC Women's League.
"None of the DA leaders including Tony Leon can stand in a general election against Tshabalala-Msimang and win.
'Perpetual siege'
"Tshabalala-Msimang's secret is her loyalty to the ANC and willingness to implement its policies even when it means being under perpetual siege," Mngadi said.
Earlier, DA spokesperson Mike Waters said Tshabalala-Msimang was not fit to be South Africa's minister of health, and "she is most definitely not fit to be acting president".
"The decision to make her acting president is a slap in the face for thousands of South Africans living with the effects of HIV/Aids.
"Never before has a single minister done so much to make life as difficult as possible for so many South Africans.
"She does not deserve any recognition or promotion for her time in office; she only deserves to be dismissed," Waters said.
In a separate statement, UDM spokesperson Nonhlanhla Nkabinde said her party found it quite a surprising appointment for a person who on a number of occasions had demonstrated a "spectacular inability to manage one portfolio, never mind combining it with the highest office".
- SAPA