‘Interference’ slammed as Motshekga, Dlamini vie for Women’s League spot

PRETORIA: ANC Women’s League president Angie Motshekga came out strongly yesterday against what she said were attempts by some ANC leaders to dictate to women who they must elect to leadership positions.

Motshekga said this had happened in the run-up to the women’s league conference, where some provincial and regional leaders had interfered in the affairs of the league.

“This is nothing but abuse of office and relationships, and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” she said at the opening of the Women’s League conference taking place in Pretoria.

Motshekga is set to fight for re-election to her position against Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, an election that appears to have divided the league.

Delegates at the conference were singing and chanting slogans indicating their preferences for either Motshekga or Dlamini until they were reprimanded by ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe.

It is set to be a tough battle for Motshekga, as Dlamini enjoys the support of several key provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, North West and Mpumalanga.

The electoral battle at the conference, however, goes beyond the position of president, with other positions on the new leadership set to be contested.

Motshekga’s slate includes Free State leader Sisi Ntombela for deputy president, current secretary general Sisisi Tolashe, Northern Cape’s Grizelda Cjiekela-Letsholo as deputy secretary general and Edna Molewa as the treasurer of the league.

Dlamini’s slate also includes Ntombela for the position of deputy president, who might stand uncontested as she appears on both slates.

In what some delegates supporting Dlamini have described as too little too late, Motshekga yesterday denied she had previously said women were not ready to lead the country. She further called for unity in the conference.