The Road to 2024: Zukile Majova says there is a reason that the ANC struggles to achieve equal representation of women in most structures
The few women leaders who have made it to top positions in the ANC tell of horrific stories of intimidation and undue pressure, including numerous phone callers calling them names and discouraging them from contesting some positions.
Gauteng deputy chairperson Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said women who wish to contest the top positions can expect trauma and depression.
“We tell them you must be stronger because we know the trauma that you go through as a woman if you are contesting those positions. I have been there, I know.
“It was so interesting for me when they said that I’m a thug. A man saying a woman is a thug, I just thought ‘yeah wow, this is heavy’ but at least it showed that I have done something that these men never thought that I was going to do.”
She said she received numerous calls from leaders trying to stop her from contesting a position that was a preserve of male leaders.
“I had to develop a thick skin but it was very traumatic.”
Nkomo-Ralehoko told the SABC that women were now lobbying for three women to be included in the ANC top six regardless of what positions they get.
The late deputy secretary Jessie Duarte was the only woman elected into the top six in the last conference in 2017.
The Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee is the only one in the country with three women in the top six.
Right now a lobby group punting a second term for President Cyril Ramaphosa has only one woman in its top six slate.
Closing the National Policy Conference, Ramaphosa said all ANC structures must reflect a gender parity of 50% women.
“As delegates to this policy conference, we are determined to achieve gender equality in all areas of life. Starting within the ranks of our movement; in every structure and in every programme and in everything that we do as the African National Congress, there must be parity.”
Image source:@GautengANC
