Mlambo-Ngcuka gets on with her new job

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the deputy president, has started consulting with various stake holders

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the deputy president, has started consulting with various stake holders in line with her new responsibilities. She had discussions with the National Union of Mineworkers (Num), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), the Chamber of Mines and the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in Johannesburg today.

Both Cosatu and Num said they will continue with the good relationship they built when Mlambo-Ngcuka was minerals and energy minister. Unemployment, HIV and Aids, the second economy and Cosatu's Monday strike were discussed.

Cosatu said it is too late for the deputy president to stop the mass action. However, it need not go beyond Monday. "The interaction between us and her must show that there is no reason forms that second round of strikes in August," said Zwelinzima Vavi, the secretary- general of Cosatu.

After meeting the Chamber of Mines, Mlambo- Ngcuka said Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) needs to be reviewed to ensure that workers and communities at large benefit. "You need to devise programmes and activities that will enhance their skills .......same attention as equity."

Then it was on to the ANCYL, who had championed her predecessor, Jacob Zuma. It was all smiles, with Fikile Mbalula, the president of the youth league, expressing confidence that Mlambo-Ngcuka will be an asset for youth development. Mlambo-Ngcuka said she would build on the foundation laid by Zuma.

She also dismissed reports of a rift between her and Zuma, saying she has the support of the former deputy president and Zuma offered to assist where he can. Mlambo-Ngcuka says those suggesting tension between her and Zuma do not understand how the ANC works.

Oilgate saga lingers on
Opposition parties have meanwhile asked Mlambo-Ngcuka to explain her role in the so-called "Oilgate" affair. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) today asked her to explain why she intervened in the appointment of Sipho Mkhize as CEO of PetroSA, while she was minerals and energy minister.

PetroSA is currently being investigated by the public protector into claims that it was used by Imvume Investments to channel public money to the ANC. Both parties have also called for a probe into business relationships between Imvume and close relatives of Mlambo-Ngcuka. - Additional reporting by Sapa