Lindiwe Mazibuko, the former leader of the opposition in parliament, plans a return to politics - but not right now. And certainly not as a DA candidate for mayor of Johannesburg next year.Mazibuko is back in South Africa after graduating from Harvard with a master's degree, and dismissed rumours that she might be planning to run for the post of mayor."No, not now," she said."I am considering my options. The decision last year to go to Harvard and take a step back from politics was to equip myself to be a better leader. I have not taken a final decision, but I am considering options in academia, the private sector and multilateral organisations."The aim is to strengthen me as a leader, so that I can, in time, strengthen South Africa and my party, the DA."I hope I'll know the right time to return to politics. I'll ask whether there is a legitimate space to fill, and whether I am the one to fill it."I am going through this process slowly and deliberately, to be the best leader I can possibly be. And yes, I absolutely hope politics is part of my future."Mazibuko had coffee with DA leader Mmusi Maimane on Thursday, but had not visited Western Cape premier Helen Zille."Being back is amazing. I love Cape Town. I have used the week to meet up with friends, especially DA colleagues, and with my brother and his wife, who live here. I'll see my family next week, and I especially look forward to seeing my mom."Turning to politics, Mazibuko admitted that the timing of Zille's exit as DA leader had surprised her.story_article_right1"I had thought she would stay on until after next year's local government elections."It was Mazibuko who championed official probes into upgrades at President Jacob Zuma's private Nkandla residence, laying a complaint with public protector Thuli Madonsela.How did she feel about recent developments in the matter?"I am sometimes worried that the true issues are obscured by Nkandla becoming a political plaything."It is not just a matter of shouting, 'Pay back the money.'"I am glad that the focus has stayed on the corruption Nkandla embodies, but it must not be allowed to crowd out the other matters South Africans grapple with daily: the energy crisis, our sliding economy, jobs, water shortages and education."On her stay in the US, Mazibuko said that the country could learn from South Africa on how to deal with race issues. "The Americans are not confronting issues of race. It made me realise that we have to keep having discussions on race in a non-judgmental way, even if sometimes we're tired of it. It is not a matter of pulling the race card. It is a matter of not driving legitimate feelings underground to fester."The American experience made me so proud of South Africa, and of South Africans having these discussions openly. It contributes to reconciliation."Regarding the challenges facing South Africa, she said she was most worried about the threat to institutions, but impressed at the push-back against political interference. She was also concerned that too many South Africans waited for solutions to arrive, rather than creating their own...