Reporter Lerato Mbhiza with multimedia reporters Tlholohelo Mosala and Andile Mbele
After four postponements, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula officially opened the ANC Women’s League conference in Nasrec on Saturday calling on women to unite and fight for the struggle of young girls and women.
The ANC Women’s League had its first elective conference in four years here at the Expo Centre south of Joburg after it was disbanded last year when its mandate expired.
The turnout was phenomenal as it should be because historically, the ANCWL has had an immense influence on ANC policies and leadership positions.
So the outcomes of Sunday’s conference are key towards the appointment and selection of ANC leadership structures.
The ANCWL also produced feisty women stalwarts such as Winnine Madikizela Mandela, Albertinah Sisulu, Adelaide Tambo and Lillian Ngoyi to name a few who ensured the ANC got the majority rule in South Africa.
So the newly elected leaders have to follow in the footsteps of the gallant fighters for the liberation of South Africa to try and win back the crucial vote that the ANC needs for the 2024 National General Elections.
Voting went on until the early hours of Sunday morning for the three top positions including the position of the leader who will make history by following in the footsteps of the abovementioned giants of our liberation struggle.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sisisi Tolashe was leading with 1 564 branch nominations, followed by ANC MP Thembaka Mchunu and last but not least former ANCWL president Bathabile Dlamini we got 258 before the final count was concluded on Sunday morning.
Tolashe was announced the new President of the ANCWL.
For the position of ANCWL Deputy President, Lungi Gcabashe won defeating Berenice Swarts, and former Premier of Northern Cape Sylvia Lucas.
Nokuthula Nqaba was announced the Secretary-General. She defeated Lydia Zitha and Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe.
Former Communications Minister Dina Pule who was nominated from the conference floor, was announced as the new deputy SG.
Pule defeated Makoma Makhurupetje and Winnie Ngwenya.
For Treasurer-General position, MaQueen Letshoha-Mathae was elected defeating Manketsi Tlhape.
Mbalula had earlier urged women to take their rightful positions in leading South Africa and being the loud voices that need to come out in defence of other women in our society citing the cases of beleaguered university Vice-Chancellors (VC) such as former University of Cape Town VC Mamokgethi Phakeng and Unisa’s Professor VC Professor Puleng LenkaBula.
“You must be the first to say no when women at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange are treated unfairly.
“Be there and fight for women, determine your destination. Don’t always fight for men to lead in the ANC. You are fighting, even today in this conference because of men.
“You must decide for yourselves. When you listen to men, what do they have for you? You don’t get along because you consult men,” he said to rousing applause from the women delegates who had come from all nine provinces to elect one of their own to lead the Women’s League.
INSIDE POLITICS
