The outcry over the ANCs failure to appoint more women Premiers stems from the fact that society expects the ANC to provide leadership and correctly so. They view this decision as a reversal of gains that had been made towards realising a vision of the emancipation of women. Those who are angry are correct and have every right to be angry. However, the anger should not be directed at the process of appointing Premiers, but rather the whole mass democratic movement in general The last time we showed some seriousness towards pursuing the struggle for the emancipation of women was during the Mbeki era when we adopted the 50/50 principle (not that I agreed with the decision). In the run up to Mangaung, I said it is an indictment that this 100 year old progressive movement has not been led by a woman in its entire history,. At the time, we were caught in the middle of a very divisive contest between two male comrades and the WL was an active participant in that contest lobbying for one party or the other. Leaders of this glorious movement defend and practice polygamy. Another leader exploits a female employee and he is turned into a hero and the victim is treated as a villain. Chief Whip of the ruling party tries to force himself on a young staff member and escapes with a slap on the hand. The WL has no structures or programme. It serves as a lobby group and a platform for individuals to position themselves for deployments. The WL proclaims, 100 years after the birth of the ANC, that the movement is not ready for a woman President. In its lobbying at branch, regional and provincial conferences, it prefers male candidates. The male candidates emerge and in order not to have two centres of power, because it cripples governance, the male leaders are then confirmed into positions in government. Society has every right to cry foul and feel cheated. ANC members dare not raise a voice because it is our patriarchal mentality, that has brought us to where we are today. The struggle for the emancipation of women cant be a by the way exercise undertaken when we have free time and on August the 9th.Women must be treated as equals and be trusted to lead branches, regions and PECs. There are capable women in the ANC. Well, it is a known fact that I am a fan of Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. Until we internalise the reality that our country cannot be truly free until its women are freed, society will continue to blame us. As the democratic movement, we must believe in the liberation of women and it will happen. - Bra Mike Maile
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 21:35:54 +0000
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