The ANC is the ruling party. The ANC has the power to enact positive change through effective leadership and policy. Yet, South Africa is still one of the most dangerous places to live for a woman. At least three women are raped every minute in South Africa, and many more are sexually assaulted, harassed, verbally abused and live in homes where domestic abuse is more common than a hot meal on the dinner table.
At the same time women in South Africa have theoretical access to more legal rights than many women across the globe. The Bill of Rights recognises women as equal citizens and they are protected from discrimination in the Constitution. The Sexual Offences Act makes it a crime against the State to rape or sexually assault a woman. In theory, women have the law firmly behind them.
It’s clear that theory and practice simply don’t match up. And how can they when ordinary women are often economically dependent on men, so their only choice is between abject poverty and a beating? How can they when the job of ensuring women’s access to justice has been left to the dedicated few NGOs who work their hearts out to ensure that if they can’t protect women, that at least women have a comforting place to go when they have been a victim of violence.
Violence is not the only type of deprivation that women in South Africa face. Women are paid less than men across all economic spheres. Economically, women remain an impoverished category in South Africa. They are left with the majority of the care work for the sick and the elderly, which in South Africa is an extremely time-consuming job.
In summary, South Africa isn’t a great place to be for women. Sure we can look out of our windows (if we have windows) at the great views, the pretty mountain in the Cape, the fynbos etc. But scenery just doesn’t cut it. It is almost like standing outside of a sweet shop being tempted by the freedoms we’re supposed to be living and knowing that today, we just won’t make it inside.
So now I’d like to know where the state defenders of our rights are. They’re jolly good at making statements but what are they actually doing? Why aren’t the ANC Women’s League members holding the ANC men in check? Why aren’t they holding them responsible for their actions and statements? Why do they not participate more vocally in discussions? Are they just tokens?
Why do we need ANC Women’s League members when they’re just puppets for the ANC?
Each one of the ANC Womans League members became an extension of Jacob Zuma’s harem when they agreed to endorse him for president. Like his wives and mistresses they may not talk above their station. They dare not openly criticise him. It is thier culture, and therefore sacrosanct; – and therefore we dare not criticise either.
And where is the church .Except for Archbishop Tutu (who all ways has the guts to speak out against injustice)all other Christian denominations are conspicuous by their absence .
the ANC women’s league need individuals like u’rself. keep it up
Would you complain if you were paid very handsomely to keep quiet like a good little girl and not make waves? Comes down to Machiavelli every time. He who has the gold (money) does make the rules. A democracy run by big business is an oxymoron. If your lifestyle depended on your support for the ruling party, few there are who would not support them wholeheartedly.
The ANC Woman’s league are too busy cleaning up after the ANC Children s league to have any significant political impact…
Angie is their ‘leader’, surely you’re asking for too much here.Once she can read her speeches,then maybe she could tackle other tasks!
I like you you are sharp! well said
Dear Jennifer, You attack on the ANC Women’s League refers. This is the Women’s League of the ANC. They are private organisation and their own constitution.
The Women’s League exists not to “hold the ANC men in check?”
Why single out the Wonmen’s League of the ANC? What about the women’s wings of the opposition parties? Aren’t they better suited to “keep the ANC men in check”?
Do opposition parties have women’s sections. The track record of the ANC in emancipating women is well-known in this country. Why do you denigrate the women in the organisation that they are tokens while ignoring their struggles and continued contribution?
Was it not the ANC that even recognised that white women had to be empowered because the previous regime ignored them?
The Women’s League does not have to make a public spectacle in order for you to recognise they exist.
Vusi: you’re joking, right?
Vusi, my dear. Don’t make such stupid comments. Every time Helen Zilla does what opposition should do she is denegraded by the MEN and BOYS in the ANC. Have you ever heard the ANC women’s league come to her defence when she is called a prostitute, when she is accused of sleeping around etc..? The ANC women’s legaue are just a bunch of money grabbing fools that are only looking after their own self interest and not that of women! They should disband and with that take the ANC youth league with them. Mind you they can’t disband the ANCYL as they are running the country!
Why dont you join the ANC womens league and change it from within. you want someone else to do the donkey work for you then you reap the rewards.
You dont like how ANC or woman league join it and make a difference or are you just mouth?
As Vusi Nzaphs points out, the ANC women’s league is a private organisation. Their interests lie in scoring tenders and getting involved in BEE ventures. (One of their more lucrative contracts involved running the infamous Lindela Repat Camp)
Though I admit its puzzling that they call themselves a ‘Women’s League’ when their interests have zero to do with women’s issues.
The purpose of the Womens League is to seperate and make distinct the Mens League. Much easier to control and direct.
Vusi raises another interesting question: why do opposition parties not have women’s leagues?
Perhaps because, within those organisations, women are accorded equal status and respect?
Oh Vusi!
The opposition do not need a Women’s League to speak out; their women are the leaders!
@ Vusi Nzaphs really you need a brain check. The ANC womens league is not a private originisation by a long chalk.
They are a political arm used to diseminate polictical information.They do not help the people equally as they claim unless they can proove they are ANC aligned.
Looking at it from your side I suppose that any give in the ridgid ways of african culture is a huge step.
Men will always rule, just live with that.So can you tell your boss that he/she out of order,Anc is the mother body,everyone supports anc leaders including ANCWl,except for ANCYL of course.
oh blah blah about the track record. the silence today is ensuring a sad track record for the future and why look at the opposition. It sends a strong message when a woman of a completely different culture needs to stand up for zulu women.
Outstanding. Thank you. This country has failed itself on so many levels – the more hard-hitting reality checks the better for us all.
And Vusi… its not about making a public spectacle.. its about doing what needs to be done for all women out there, not matter who you stand up to or have to criticise. Imagine the message of power that could be sent from women like you…
Vusi…why don’t you comment on or answer some of the questions posed by Jennifer’s article?
My bet is that you have no answer(s) because what she is saying is a reality…which applies to you, your mother, your sister, your nieces, and your daughters if you have any.
The point is not what other political organisations women’s wings should do; rather what the ANC Women’s League is doing…seeing that it represents the most women in this country (60 something percent if we go by the results of the last elections).
Good question, I often wonder myself…
But it does exist, at least it does when a high profile case, buzzing with the media comes to light…
Reminds me of SASCOR at tertiary, who we only got to see them when it was election time and they we begging you to vote for them, or you only met their faces when you are about to cross the ballet!
I would like these “Powerful” ladies to be more active in the communities. I want to here that they have done this and that for the upliftment of communities in South Africa especially rural women. But alas I see them only protesting outside high profiled rape and murder cases or when its election time!
Its a pity because here is an opportunity for them to really help on the ground, to really have an impact on issues such as HIV & AIDS, Breast cancer awareness, SMMEs contributing to poverty alleviation and Education.
Sometimes you feel like all they care about is a seat in Parliament!!!
For what ever reason the woman’s league exist. They have a pretty shoddy track record including standing on court steps and hurling insults at the woman, who at the time was accusing the now president of rape.this i saw with my own eye’s other wise I’d never have believed it. Not exactly something one would consider at all helpful in curbing the abuse of woman and children. That said they have very little to say, by and large about anything. so if their plan is to behave like good little wives and not rock the boat – sterling job well done.
Well said Vusi Nzaphs. Jeniffer Thorpe did not write anything with all white male cabinet of DA in the western Cape. Does DA have Women ‘s league.
Jennifer
I share your sentiments and views on this subject and I just cannot buut conclude that it is a very sad day for our country. With all due respect to the more than 63% of South Africans who voted for the “beloved & glorious peoples movement”, their votes are being taken for granted. Infact the day the Ruling Party decided to choose Msholozi as its presidential candidate marked the begining of a slide towards oblivion and junkheap of history. What they saw in a man who has very and or no respect for the values, traditions and the principles that this organisation was founded on, beasts me even to this day. For the ANC Women’s League we can only draw one conclusion, that they are mere tokens and an extension of everything that it is anti-social and progressive in the current leadership of the ANC. The less said about them the better, because the only thing that concerns them are ANC faction fights and not the emancipation and total liberation of women as a social strata and a social class.
I rest my case.
P.S. Time will tell..
A women is raped every 20 seconds? Our recent exteemed minister of Justice (I think it was) in the previous denialist ANC Show/government, stood in the street outside his office for 30 minutes and did not see one rape – so he stated clearly that this figure is not true. Crisis, what crisis? Rape – what rape? Child – what child? More to the point is “government – what government”
haiwa, I don’t need to join the ANC, nevermind the ANCWL to make a difference. In fact, it is probably more useful for me not to. I join other organisations and make a difference to women’s lives that way.
Exactly my point. The Women’s League exists for the interests of its members. If that means backing Zuma, they will do so. That’s what political parties world wide do.
Political parties are private organisations seeking public office. The Women’s league is not in power. Its leaders serve in government at the behest of the mother body.
Those of you who bopther to remember these things will remember how the Women’s League dumped Mbeki during the Polokwane nominations in favour of Zuma.
@ Lilian, that is the truth and thanks for pointing out the “stupid comment” but that’s the reality, whether you like it or not. The Women’s league does not exist to defend Zille. helen must start her own womens…oops she only appoints men to positions.
@ Martin, I’m afraid the joke’s on you. To expect Women’s League President Angie Motshekga to excoriate Jacob Zuma, who is his boss in the organisation and government is really pushing it, isn’it Martin?
Remember Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge?
In realpolitik, things are much different than in your scheme of things.
I always thought that democracy was all about equality for people, not equality for men, and then women. What the ANC Womans League basically signify is that woman are still second class citizens and shouldn’t foster the illusion that we will ever have a female president of South Africa. But then, I am not really surprised, the ANCYL seems to be promoting the idea that male children are noisy and irreverant, adults are above the law and woman are all prostitutes, at least, the ones who don’t agree with Julius Malema & Co. So, we are not living in a democracy anymore, more like a patriarchal autocracy?
Sganja…I’m not sure what you are saying. But let it be known now that men will not always rule. It is not a desirable state for anyone to rule, because it always implies that the other party is less free. It is more desirable for everyone to have equal freedoms, and the ability to exercise them.
Let’s not fool ourselves. We know that the league exist in name only and that it is a lame duck organisation dedicated to appeasing the ANC Men’s folk, attending to funerals and singing the song ” my father was garden boy and my mother was a kitchen girl, that is why I am a Communist”. Furthermore, they are just a bunch of old women.
It’s pretty simple… Stop sitting on your hands and do something about the situation. ANCWL is a bunch of politicians that do not even account to anyone. A revolution has never started in a cosy office, it has to start with these NGO’s. Let us stop looking up to politicians only… If you are not doing anything, stop whining. You do not pay taxes to ANCWL… Great article, it should be an eye opener to the Women’s League…
yes, the African National Congress Women’s League (ANC WL) does exist so that apartheid-advantaged, liberal and liberated women like you could find a freedom of speech to awaken your subconscious and critique the ruling party without fear of being thrown in a mellow yellow and be raped by apartheid security police. yes, the ANC WL does exist so that resourced women like you can translate the preachings of our constitution into practices of our laws by going to the townships and volunteer in one of the community-based organisations fighting against rape and abuse of women and children. The ANC WL is waiting for you, the patriotic woman of South Africa….to join them, not as a member, but as an ally of progress and “jeneral” ideals of women’s emancipation!
Mokgodi, I did write about Helen Zille, but I did not yet have a blog on Thoughtleader yet. If you’d like to read the article you can use this link:
http://jeneralidea.blogspot.com/2009/05/where-are-women-helen.html
@ Hugh: Mr Robinson, insulting someone for raising an issue contrary to your own is just not in the spirit of debate.
@ Qminati, point taken. I can’t help but notice you also chose not to debate the issues in your haste to point out procedural flaws in my reasoning.
@ Lilian: By beseeschingme for making “stupid comments”, aren’t you desperate to just shut me up because you disaagree with what I say.
I’ve slowly noticed that in this country, the chattering class falls for the same trap they accuse the Julius Malemas of this world of…i.e insulting people they disagree with. I was hoping for a breath of fresh air in this forum as opposed the staple insults in The Times and IOL comment, but sadly, some of the comrades in here are just beyond “civilised” discopurse, it’s their view or else Robinson will question your sanity etc etc.
@ Jennifer, you have a right to make contributions to women empowerment in the forums you chose, but why then do you feel the right to question the bona fides of the WL when you know very well they are an organisation whose membership is voluntary os exists to serve their particular interests?
With maternal mortality lower employment for women etc etc- the ANC womens league does not have Zumas sexual gymnastics on its agenda. This is Your agenda.You deal with it. A black woman in the village will not mention zuma twice today because of his love child. Its not relevant to her but it seems to bother you lots . if you want it to be on the ANC womens league agenda then be part of this movement and introduce it to the agenda.
Until the day women stop sleeping with married men an stop wanting to be second wives what Zuma did occurs everyday in SA australian lives.
Infidelity is everywhere and the womans league is not going to bog itself with sexual mores of anybody when women need real change not cosmetic.
‘The ANC Woman’s league are too busy cleaning up after the ANC Children s league to have any significant political impact…
Good one, Robin Grant!
No woman with a brain would join the ANC at the moment…the organisation is an embarrassment to the country. The very fact that an ANC womaen’s league exists shows a lack of equality
What about Malema’s consistant critic on male dominated economy, with white male in the helm, excluding even their wives – where does it feature here in your critic. Issues of gender politics and emancipation in the Congress Movement has never been about Men Vs Woman, but a concerted efforts from both to bring about this change that we now hear many women like you participating in public discourse without fear of prejudice- read more of our struggle to date & stop thinking like a sexist. Like socio-economic emancipation of black & white south africans, male and female, reall freedom will not pop out of a pen, you will have to get yourself dirty
The idea of having a women’s league is a good one. The ANC, certainly after its unbanning, led other parties in promoting women’s rights. (This is why so many people are irritated by Jennifer Thorpe’s white-centred ahistoric perspective.)
But the women’s league was never significant in that respect. For a long time it was led by Winnie Mandela, who never had any real respect for women’s rights (or anyone’s rights but her own). Therefore the problem is not the weakness of the women’s league, but the declining status of women within the party since Polokwane.
Another problem is that women having theoretical rights does not give them concrete power as individuals. Wider society is not the ANC, and in wider society men dominate women. Blaming the ANC for that, as Thorpe implicitly does, is not particularly helpful, although it naturally serves Thorpe’s political agenda.
They’re toothless. Like their leader.
In the words of my immortal father, julle pis almal die pot mis. Jennifer: “I’d like to know where the state defenders of our rights are”. To point out the obvious, the ANC WL is a wing of the ANC party. Repeat, ‘party’, not the State then. It is however surprising that one hears so little from the WL on recent topical matters, especially given what its own constitution has to say (“3.3 The ANCWL is a democratic women’s organisation, which is non-sexist and opposed to all form of discrimination and chauvinism along tribal and ethnic lines” – see http://www.anc.org.za/wl/docs/constitution2003.html). So much for the ‘leave my culture alone’ trend that we’ve witnessed from within the ranks. I think perhaps Mr Malema’s ill-discipline has fooled Jennifer into thinking that loyal party members use the public media to address party issues. This is not the norm for parties in bourgeois democracies. Not here. Not anywhere. Mr Malema will no doubt soon grasp this himself. I have no doubt (efficacy notwithstanding)that the members of the ANC WL do express their views on violence, exploitation, etc, but do so within the party’s structures. We can all agree that SA’s not a safe place for women. Fixing that starts with you and me. How many of us are actively involved in community crime forums/ are police reservists? Or is it so much easier to just blog about it?
Vusi, they are there to serve WOMEN’S interests. But, they only serve ANC interests. They are not the same.
I invite you to attend the ANCWL branch meetings and then review your opinion about the organisation.
The ANCWL is exactly that, the Women’s League of the ANC and nothing less or more. Issues discussed within the ANCWL, are driven by its own agenda influenced by external imperatives. If anyone thinks that they are quiet, say it from within to influence the agenda.