Eastern Cape ANC chairperson Oscar Mabuyane has voiced an appetite for a female president in the ANC. Though he would not say it outright, Mabuyane referred to four regions in his province being led by women. This follows a report by the Sunday Times that indicated ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa was eyeing National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza as his successor.
In an interview with the Sunday Times on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ANC’s National General Council (NGC), Mabuyane said it was unfortunate that the ANC had taken this long to appoint a female president. “All members of the ANC are equal in the eyes of the ANC. It will be unfortunate that it’s taken so long to have a female who would have been participating at that point.
The last time it came nearer we got a state deputy president. “All members of the ANC are fit to occupy any position in the ANC as it is. It’s a question of what the ANC is representing in society.” Mabuyane said the ANC’s values centre on non-racialism and non-sexism.
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“Members who qualify will surely be permitted to contest any position. It’s unprecedented, and it continues like that. In the executive, we have 60% of women leading the province.” “This is an inevitable situation that, as we move forward, as we transform society and deal with patriarchal regulations in society.
These are going to be automatic. It’s also inherent as you deal with gender issues in the ANC.” He, however, said it would be premature to endorse Didiza for the position of ANC president as the nominations for the position were still closed. “That time will come when branches of the ANC will be allowed to nominate.
At that time, it will be an appropriate opportunity. We have to be disciplined and be patient with the process. The Eastern Cape will be a strong, consolidated and effective province.
At the right time, that issue will come up. At this point, Sis’ Thoko has not come out, and she can’t do that because that process is still closed,” he said, adding the province would not be distracted by talks of succession.
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