Opinion piece - Why Ramaphosa did not fire Bathabile Dlamini

By: Leila Matsombe

I believe i should stress that i am not a political analyst, i am an observer of what happens in the political space and how citizens react to certain news and events that have unfolded in the past 48 hours.

In the early hours on the 22nd of November Bathabile Dlamini was already trending on Twitter, this hours before the much anticipated government reshuffle. The general consensus amongst most twitter users was that Bathabile would most definitely be axed, i and a few other tweeps believed otherwise.

There is no way that Ramaphosa will axe Bathabile a few months before the national elections as this move would upset the ANC Women's League, i must say thou i actually hoped that she gets booted out. 
My colleagues and i had a mini debate on reasons why Bathabile should stay in office, well there was absolutely no need to talk about why she should not leave because her reputation precedes her. Amongst all the reasons given none included the actual work that she does, all the reasons were political.

As i have already stressed i am no politician but i believe it would be a career suicide on Ramaphosa's part if he fired Bathabile, the best he can do is keep her in a position that does not have a budget or require decisions that would immensely impact the economy or the African National Congress.

I have come to learn that in politics its about who is in your side and not always about who is right or wrong, as if this was the case people like Bathabile would never have made it this far politically.
As expected the ruling party welcomed the Cabinet reshuffle, saying it showed Ramaphosa's determination to continue on the path of hope and renewal.

Well for most of us the waiting game begins to see what exactly happens at the 2019 elections and what promises will be made, AGAIN, and which allies will be formed.