By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) has condemned KwaZulu-Natal party provincial chair Siboniso Duma’s behaviour towards premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, saying it betrayed the party’s ideology of gender equality and non-sexism.
Duma has been criticised for imposing himself and lifting the Webb Ellis trophy won by the Springboks, to the Durban crowd outside the City Hall in eThekwini with Eben Etzebeth during the trophy parade, leaving Dube-Ncube with little chance to get her hands on the trophy for the picture.
An official had called for the premier and Etzebeth to lift the trophy.
Springboks have been travelling to some of the major cities in the country celebrating their World Cup triumph with South Africans.
However Women’s League criticised him for imposing himself and undermining Dube-Ncube.
Deputy secretary-general, Dina Pule, said on Monday the ANCWL was “deeply concerned by the ongoing and regrettable actions” by Duma and threw its support behind Dube-Ncube.
“These regrettable actions not only continue to undermine the authority of the premier of the province but also betray the principles of non-sexism and gender equality that are fundamental to the ANC’s ideology.
“Gender equality is not just an ideal, but a fundamental principle that the ANC identifies with. The actions of comrade Duma demonstrate a regrettable departure from this essential value, perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes which have no place in the ANC or in broader political discourse.”
Pule said Duma’s persistent behaviour didn’t bode well for the “harmonious functioning of the provincial government”. She didn’t elaborate on previous instances of Duma undermining the premier.
“It is crucial that all members and leaders of the ANC respect the established leadership structures of government and work collectively towards the betterment of the province and its citizens,” she said.
Duma was elected ANC KZN chairperson last year, but he did not take up the KZN premier seat, which had been vacated by Sihle Zikalala. Instead, the party opted for Dube-Ncube to occupy the position and become the first woman premier in KZN.