Back in the olden days before most of us young independent and gorgeous ladies were born, women had men to build the world and things they wanted. Women had less opportunities, less recognition, and you could say were less appreciated by society back then. All these due to the man taking centre stage in terms of being the one to go out and work for the family and be the sole provider. Women back then were either maids or full time housewives. Things like Lobola made sense then as the men were required to prove that they can provide for the woman they intent on marrying as she would not be working.
But today all that has changed thank God! We now live in a society where women (including myself) are the more superior being with superhero powers to add to that (business woman, employee, CEO, wife, etc.). We are the beneficiaries of equality and freedom that was hard fought by heroic women as they courageously marched to the Union buildings and demanded that they too be considered equal citizens of this beautiful land. Nowadays you can never keep a sister down! We have rightfully earned the right to seat at the big table.
Ok so here is the thing, one of the reasons these women were able to defeat the injustices against women was because of the support they had for each other, their unity kept them stronger, their vision and hunger for opportunity gave them drive. Movements like the ANCWL had strong support and value add objectives to continue their fight against women injustices. I believe their mandate back then was clear and they had a huge sense of objectivity, integrity and honestly.
They have in the long past done some great things for women and for that we are grateful .They did a great job supporting Reeva’s parents throughout the Oscar Pistorius trial, I mean they were there from day one. But wait, lets rewind back to Jacob Zuma’s rape case, what role was played by the ANCWL? Did they go into hiding? Does the zero tolerance to women abuse only apply to certain individuals? Do we allow our leaders to sexually abuse women? The blind following and support they give to individuals within their structures is all a little confusing really. The woman that was allegedly raped by President Zuma was said to have looked up to him as a father as Zuma was friends with her dad. Why did the ANCWL not wait for the law to take its cause before picking sides? Ok I think I must be directive now when I ask this question! Did it ever come to mind that the support you were giving Zuma was totally against what you as the ANCWL stood for? Don’t you think that there was everything wrong with Pres Zuma getting involved in such a despicable act on a woman who was supposed to be more like a daughter to him?
So many female leaders have been verbally attacked by men in the ANC and not a single word from the ANCWL in terms of rebuking such acts. Now let me highlight just a few of these incidents were I strongly feel that they could’ve stood up and defended those women.
- When Lindiwe Mazibuko was verbally abused with regard to her hairstyle, outfit and weight by ANC male MPs… ANC female MPs laughed hard as this was happening, jumping up and down, some even dabbing. They could have condemned the behavior of their MPs but they chose to play along. If these men can insult one woman, then they are capable of doing the same to all of us. No woman should allow another to be humiliated and insulted like that.
- When Thuli Madonsela released her report on Nkandla, the ANC Youth League and Congress of South African Students (COSAS) made hurtful remarks about her physical appearance (woman with an ugly nose, clumsy clown, etc.) ANCWL went into hiding again. Why do we always see the ANC distancing themselves? Why not hear anything from the women of the party? Should it not be the ANCWL’s duty to have called the youth to account for the disparaging, sexist and derogatory remarks they made about a woman who is just like them? Just read in the news that there is a freash new attack on Thuli Madonsela again… But this time guess by who? The ANCWL ka sebele (themselves) and guess for what? For defending the constitution, I cannot believe that the ANCWL went and said this to the media (NEWS24), “We demand a more objective and less populist person who will not campaign against government and its people, but defend principles of the structures”-ANCWL. “We, the ANC Women’s League remain steadfast in the course to stand and lead at the front to protect the African National Congress,” secretary general Meokgo Matuba said in a statement. Like where are the pots though? I am literally in confusion mode right now, someone please tell me where the pots are! Does the ANCWL understand what Thuli Madonsela’s job is? Like do they know that she is protecting the public against maladministration? Honestly why do we all believe in her great work except for the ANC, ANCYL and even worse the ANCWL??? How are they not at the forefront in support for a woman who is doing great work for this country? I believe Thuli is as confused as I am, on her recent interview she said
“Women shouldn’t just be fighting for gender equality, they should be fighting for making sure that the state of South Africa is advancing everyone, because when the state fails, it’s women who pick up the burden”
We can’t have the ANCWL always defending president Zuma for doing wrong, instead of defending women that are doing great work. Not even gonna go into the latest Rhodes incidents and how the women’s league went cold again and never said a thing when students were arrested for a peaceful protest that was aimed at raising awareness against the growing rape culture in the country. ANCWL please go back to the drawing board, you are not here to only defend the ANC, your objectives should be to defend women and fight for equality finish and klaar. I strongly feel there is a lot of young talented and strong women leaders who are doing great things in this country, the women’s league does not represent such women.
The fact that we are from different backgrounds, political parties, and other institutions doesn’t suppress us as being women first before we are affiliated. We need to find common ground while building support for one another. With the platforms we have already established let us make use of these to improve our country and encourage all women that it is important to support, build, encourage and protect one other. We are naturally strong beautiful creatures, the greatest gift this Universe has ever had. Together we need to reemphasize the fact that ‘Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo’. (You strike a women, you strike a rock).
Article By Pamela Kunene
