FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sonke Gender Justice condemns ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe’s vulgar and dismissive response to a Newzroom Afrika journalist who asked about allegations that municipal councillors in a North West mining town demand sex from women in exchange for jobs. His remarks trivialised sexual extortion, degraded women and failed the standard expected of a senior political leader.
We support the ANC Women’s League’s description of the remarks as “gratuitously improper,” “derogatory” and “deeply disturbing,” and its call for a public apology and disciplinary action.
Why these remarks matter
- It trivialises sexual extortion. Demanding sex in exchange for employment is an abuse of power and may constitute corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. It is not consensual “bad behaviour”; it is exploitation and gender-based violence.
- It degrades women and the journalist. The journalist asked a legitimate public-interest question about exploitation and abuse of power. She deserved a substantive answer, not vulgarity.
- It normalises misogyny. South Africa faces persistent violence against women. Language that objectifies women reinforces a culture in which their dignity and safety are treated as negotiable.
- It reflects a pattern. Last year, Mantashe told men to use their “God-given sticks” instead of assaulting women and did not apologise. The ANC Women’s League has also referred to his “repeated insults and attacks on women.” Age is no excuse for misogyny.
When given an opportunity outside Parliament to apologise, Mantashe instead asked what he should apologise for. His refusal to acknowledge the harm is inconsistent with non-sexism as a founding value of the ANC and the Constitution.
We demand
- Immediate public apology. Gwede Mantashe must apologise unconditionally to the journalist, the affected women and women across South Africa.
- Formal ANC disciplinary proceedings. The ANC must act on the call by its Women’s League; internal discussion alone is not enough.
- Investigation of the allegations. Implicated councillors must be suspended where warranted, and evidence of criminal conduct referred to law enforcement.
- Mandatory gender-sensitivity training. ANC NEC members, councillors and deployees must complete the training before the 4 November Local Government Elections.
To the women affected: We believe you. The shame belongs to those who exploit women and those who dismiss that exploitation.
GBV does not begin and end with physical assault. It flourishes where women are objectified, demeaned and silenced. A liberation movement that uses the language of objectification is betraying its own struggle heritage.
Enough is enough!
ENDS/
For media enquiries, contact:
Amukelani Chauke, Regional Communications and Social Media Coordinator, Sonke Gender Justice: amu@genderjustice.org.za | 074 857 4254
Bafana Khumalo, Co-Executive Director, Sonke Gender Justice: bafana@genderjustice.org.za | 082 578 4479
NOTE TO EDITORS
Established in 2006, Sonke Gender Justice is a South African-based non-profit organisation working across Africa to advance gender equality, prevent gender-based violence, strengthen state accountability for GBVF, and promote gender transformation. Sonke believes that women and men, girls and boys can work together to resist patriarchy, advocate for gender justice, and build safer, more equal communities. In 2026, Sonke celebrates 20 years of service.
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