ANC and Its Chinese Born Member of Parliament – Xiaomei Havard: The Redefinition of Political Dynamics in South Africa and the Rest of the World

Brian Kazungu, 29/01/2021

Xiaomei Havard, a Chinese born business woman and electrical engineer who came to South Africa to study for a Doctorate in Computer Sciences has made history in Africa’s corridors of power by being appointed as a Member of Parliament for South Africa’s ruling party, ANC.

Her appointment comes as a replacement for the late Jackson Mthembu, a Minister in the Presidency who succumbed to Covid-19 complications last week.

A businesswoman who is active in China-South Africa business initiatives such as the SA-China Famous Female Business Council and Africa Federation of Chinese Women in Commerce and Industry, Xiaomei has put South Africa, ANC and politics in general under spotlight.

Commenting on social media reactions following her appointment, ANC’s Caucus Spokesperson Nomfanelo Kota said “ANC will remain true to its non-racist, non-sexist principles and not let the noise made by others keep it from governing the country”.

Over the years, South Africa has had to deal with a reputation of xenophobia especially against fellow black Africans and it is yet to be seen what will be the impact of Xiaomei’s appointment on people from other countries mostly in Africa who are now citizens of the rainbow nation.

In a conversation with iniAfrica news last year on the issues of membership eligibility in the ANC in relation to foreign nationals who may choose to be members of the party, ANC Joburg Regional Secretary, Dada Morero said foreign nationals were welcome to join the party.

“Foreign nationals may participate, however, they will not be eligible to vote in meetings but may participate in programmes, meetings and campaigns.” He said.

Even though many other countries including Zimbabwe, the United States of America and the United Kingdom have politicians whose ancestral origins are from other countries, Xiaomei stands out as she is a naturalised citizen compared to others who were born in the respective countries where they climbed the political ladder.

In Zimbabwe, educationist Fay Chung, a Zimbabwean politician of Chinese descendancy, as a member of the ruling part ZANU PF became a Minister of Education under Robert Mugabe’s Administration.

Chung was born, bred and educated in Zimbabwe.

The same also applies to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London who was also born, bred and educated in Britain even though he is of Pakistan Indian roots.

More-so, recently, in the United States of America, Kamala Harris, a woman of what has been termed as African American and African Asian heritage was inaugurated as the Vice President of the country

America was also at once under the leadership of Barack Obama, another African American whose roots can be traced to Kenya.

The Connections2Communities (C2C) initiative which jointly organised the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris Inauguration ceremony at The Royal India Restaurant in Sandton, South Africa together with the Pan African Business Forum commended ANC for political inclusivity and tolerance.

“Xiaomei’ appointment sends a message to all and sundry that life waits for nobody and that those who believe in a cause and take action in a community of persons will be recognised and be rewarded in the matrix of life as has been shown by the ANC” said one of the C2C members.”