A group of women from the ANC Women’s League and its affiliates on Thursday marched on Herman Mashaba’s mayoral offices in Johannesburg, demanding an apology for his "Trump-like" comments.
Mashaba was quoted in a local newspaper during August‚ which is women’s month, as saying "the days when they [the ANC administration] allowed their girlfriends to run state institutions are over".
The group want Mashaba to withdraw his comments and issue a public apology.
ANC City of Johannesburg councillor and former mayoral committee member Mally Mokoena said she had personally interviewed some of the women working in the municipality.
"The reason we are here today is because Mashaba’s statement that women were employed because they have a boyfriend in the city is an insult to educated women in the city – the women that have taken the city forward.
"[Matshidiso Mfikoe] and I were in the mayoral committee and we interviewed those women. We saw their qualifications. We were never told to appoint these people based on the so-called relationship they had with boyfriends in the city.
"He’s undermining our intelligence and our integrity."
Loyiso Masuku, spokesperson for the campaign group‚ known as #SexismMustFall‚ said Mashaba should not only apologise but outline his plan for transformation.
"After he retracts that statement‚ he must tell us what are his plans to ensure the [issue of the] empowerment of women in the city is addressed. He must explain to us how he’s going to ensure the young upcoming women in the city get opportunities‚ without insinuating that they must do sexual favours."
She also said Mashaba and the DA should learn from other institutions and parties that have a proven track record for empowering women.
A recent report by the Commission for Gender Equality found that women are better represented in municipalities where the ANC governs.
Masuku said Mashaba’s comments can be related to those made by US presidential candidate Donald Trump‚ who has repeatedly demeaned women.
"Their comments‚ both of them‚ border on insinuating women in society are viewed as people who must do particular favours [to get things]. I can’t liken the two as I don’t know them personally‚ but their comments are related‚" Masuku said.
A memorandum with the group’s demands was handed to Mashaba’s mayoral committee member for health and social development Mpho Phalatse.
"This will be handed to the mayor and it will be handed to the mayor’s office‚" she said.
"We believe strongly in the development of women. I think we’ve demonstrated that and I think the mayor has also demonstrated that in the mayoral committee selection. We have five women in the mayoral committee and five men. All of them very capable and all of them given very challenging portfolios."
Mashaba could not receive the memorandum in person as he was elsewhere engaged.
TMG Digital
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