The following women were near power, slept with power right in their beds and had chances to alter national policies during their pillow-talk. It has been said that when it comes to women, African women are simply bigger. The following ladies though at times villainous prove just what being made of steel means. Iron-man, take a cue and hide, these women are the real deal.
Simone Gbagbo
In 2001, she was heard to say, “All the ministers respect me, and they often consider me above them. “ALL THE MINISTERS RESPECT ME, AND THEY OFTEN CONSIDER ME ABOVE THEM.”
I’ve got what it takes to be a minister. I engaged in political struggle against the former regime alongside men. I spent six months in prison, I was beaten, molested, left for dead. After all those trials, it’s logical that people don’t mess with me.” Unfortunately as we speak, she is serving out her 20 year sentence for crimes against humanity. Cote d’Ivoire may have felt the best place where no one will mess with her in any way is a jail. Quite logical!
Agathe Habyarimana and Ayesha Conneh, the warrior Queens
“IF YOU OPEN A BUSINESS AND PUT YOUR HUSBAND IN CHARGE, IF YOU SEE THAT THINGS ARE NOT GOING THE RIGHT WAY, YOU STEP HIM ASIDE AND STRAIGHTEN HIM UP.”In the very incisive Trump words, she was basically saying, “You are fired!” Now that is something to talk about! She later did not go through with the sacking but considering the political clout she had, she could have easily disposed of Sekou.
Grace Mugabe
If of late, any woman has reigned in Africa as much as the Zimbabwean First Lady has, it must be Virgin Mary herself. Grace Mugabe stormed into the political scene barely 2 years ago and orchestrated the ouster of Vice President Joyce Mujuru, a woman she claimed to have aided in her ascension to the Presidium. The First Lady was now just undoing what she had done before! The Zimbabwean First Lady has been accused of harboring ambitions to be President THE ZIMBABWEAN FIRST LADY HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF HARBORING AMBITIONS TO BE PRESIDENT
and in a way establishing a monarchical state of affairs. To this she said she is Zimbabwean like everyone else and if she wants to run for presidency, what could stop her. Indeed, at this rate everyone knows nothing could. She is known to have a touch of aggression…wait, maybe two touches of aggression. Richard Jones of the Sunday Times knows he won’t try to photograph her again without her consent otherwise he will earn another neat knock-out punch. The Zimbabwean First Lady’s political career is just starting and the world is yet to see her become whatever she is trying to become. For now, the whole world knows she is no longer just a trophy wife but a power-broker in the Zimbabwean ruling party.
Cecilia Kadzamira
“THE RELATIVES CAME AND WENT BUT I WAS ALWAYS THERE.”Any further questions, world? Cecilia, her uncle John Tembo and Kamuzu Banda were dragged to court over the Mwanza four murder. They were acquitted due to lack of evidence but quite frankly messing with Mama Kadzamira would have been a death wish.
Africa has First ladies who stood for productive activism. In fact, some of them have carried out very successful philanthropic projects.
