The ANC Women's League (ANCWL) is unhappy that the country has only had two female prime ministers, and its secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint more women as he ponders the new executive branch of his seventh government.
Like the ANC Youth League, Nqaba wants to see more women represented in provincial parliaments, where the premier is a man. The ANC League defends the party and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as having the final say on who becomes a cabinet minister.
Koren Maratji, president of the Youth Union, criticized the Government of National Unity (GNU) for deciding who will become ministers and deputy ministers. The GNU statement cited the agreement of all members represented. But Maratji said it was the prerogative of the president to decide who will be in the cabinet.
“We have invited people into a government of national unity. Now the president still has the power to decide. There will be no argument that other parties who join the government of national unity will have to make decisions for the ANC president. The powers given now are the powers of the ANC president who is now the president of the country. Obviously, we have given the president the responsibility of appointments.”
The ANC Women's League expressed frustration and disappointment that only two women were selected for the prime ministerial appointment.
Nqaba called on President Ramaphosa not to reduce the number of women in the national executive.
“I would like to believe that the ANC is aware of the mistakes they have made. It was probably unintentional but I understand the pressure they have to conform. But it can also be an excuse for not improving. So I hope that we will see more women influencing not only the ANC but also the GNU approach that is currently being used to govern the country. Those who have allied with the ANC can also be proud that they have women's representation. The numbers are very clear.”
The President is expected to announce the members of the Executive Board of the Government of National Unity this weekend after full consultation with all political parties.
Video: ANCWL calls for more women leaders
