“ANC Women’s League Should Have Engaged Me Directly Before Demanding A Public Apology” Mantashe Says

African National Congress (ANC) national chairperson and Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe has questioned the ANC Women’s League’s (ANCWL) decision to publicly demand an apology over his controversial remarks concerning allegations of sexual favours being demanded in exchange for employment opportunities.

Mantashe argued that the organisation should have approached him directly to discuss the matter before publicly criticising his comments.

The disagreement has drawn attention to tensions within the governing party over the handling of sensitive issues involving sexual exploitation, employment opportunities and the protection of women in the workplace.

The ANCWL previously expressed concern over Mantashe’s remarks, describing them as disturbing and derogatory. The league called for a public apology, indicating its dissatisfaction with the manner in which the issue had been addressed.

However, Mantashe has pushed back against the demand, questioning why the organisation chose to raise its concerns publicly rather than first engaging him through direct communication.

His response suggests that he believes an internal discussion could have provided an opportunity to clarify his position before the matter escalated into a public dispute.

The controversy centres on allegations that some individuals are asked to provide sexual favours in exchange for employment opportunities. Such allegations raise serious concerns about workplace exploitation, abuse of power and the vulnerability of job seekers who may face inappropriate demands while attempting to secure employment.

The issue is particularly sensitive in South Africa, where unemployment remains a significant socioeconomic challenge and access to employment can have far-reaching consequences for individuals and their families.

The ANC Women’s League has a longstanding role in advocating for women’s rights, gender equality and the protection of women against discrimination and exploitation. Its demand for an apology reflects its concerns about how public statements on these matters may be interpreted.

Mantashe’s response, meanwhile, has shifted attention towards the manner in which disagreements within the ANC should be handled, particularly when senior party officials and affiliated organisations hold different views on controversial issues.

The dispute also highlights the challenges political organisations face when balancing internal communication with public accountability. While direct engagement can provide an opportunity to resolve disagreements, public criticism may also be viewed as necessary when an organisation believes an issue requires an immediate response.

For now, the disagreement has placed Mantashe’s remarks and the ANCWL’s demand for an apology at the centre of public discussion.

The key question remains whether the two sides will engage further to resolve the dispute and whether Mantashe will reconsider the league’s demand.

Neither the controversy nor the demand for an apology should overshadow the broader issue of protecting individuals from sexual exploitation and ensuring that employment opportunities are offered fairly and without inappropriate conditions.

Source: https://x.com/centralnewsza/status/2112878544195862836