The longstanding member of the African National Congress (ANC) who currently serves as Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has written to the ANC informing them that she is no longer prepared to serve in parliament after the elections. Dlamini-Zuma served the public office for 30 years.

In a letter directed to chair of the electoral committee in the ANC and former president Kgalema Motlanthe, Dlamini-Zuma said: "Thank you very much for the invitation to attend the interview for the 2024 National list on the 16th of January at 09:30. I appreciate the vote of confidence by the branches who have once again nominated me on the ANC's 2024 National List. My sincere gratitude to the entire leadership of the ANC from National, Provincial and Branch levels for affording me the opportunity and support to serve the country and the people of South Africa as a public representative and as a member of the cabinet 1994," the letter dated January 12 read. "I also thank all the ANC Presidents under whose leadership and guidance I served as a member of the executive," she said.

The former minister of health, home affairs, foreign affairs also said she was grateful to the South African government for making it possible for her to serve the continent as the first woman at the helm of the African Union Commission and the first chairperson of the Commission from the Southern African Development Community. "It will not be necessary to schedule the interview for the 2024 national list because I have taken the decision to retire from being a member of the South African Parliament." her letter concluded. Last year, Dlamini-Zuma landed herself in hot water when she failed to show up in a Parliament sitting where MPs voted to impeach Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Dlamini-Zuma survived another disciplinary hearing after she voted in favour of an impeachment process against President Cyril Ramaphosa last year over the Phala Phala scandal. Dlamini-Zuma has served under former President Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbheki, Motlanthe, Jacob Zuma and is currently serving under Cyril Ramaphosa.