/ 5 May 2009

Youth League apologises for remarks on gender quotas

The ANC Youth League on Tuesday apologised for embarrassing the ANC in its reaction to Nomvula Mokonyane being appointed Gauteng premier.

The African National Congress (ANC) Youth League on Tuesday apologised for embarrassing the ANC in its reaction to Nomvula Mokonyane being appointed Gauteng premier.

”We apologise unconditionally to the people of South Africa and the leadership of the ANC for the embarrassment we caused the organisation,” youth league provincial secretary Thabo Kupa told a press briefing in Johannesburg.

The league initially claimed she was appointed to fill ANC gender quotas, but then said she had been chosen because of her skills.

”We understand and respect the decision of the ANC NEC [National Executive Committee], that comrade Nomvula Mokonyane serve as premier of Gauteng for the government term starting in 2009.”

They also apologised to her and would ”re-dedicate” to work with her and the government to build a ”sustainable life for all”.

Last week the league said it would ask Mokonyane, currently Gauteng housing minister, to decline her selection as the provinces’ new premier. It wanted current Premier Paul Mashatile to stay on the job.

On Tuesday the league said it understood that Mokonyane was chosen on the basis of her capacity to lead the government in Gauteng.

”We believe that Mokonyane is equal to the task and will steer the entire government and the people of Gauteng to do more.”

Youth league president Julius Malema said they had had a preference and were within their rights to have one, as they had ”invested” a lot in Mashatile.

Malema said they had a right to express themselves and that they had been disappointed by Mokonyane’s appointment. Their previous statement had been made because they were ”shocked” by the NEC’s decision.

”If a ruling is not made in your favour, you will be shocked … Even Mbeki was shocked in Polokwane,” said Malema, referring to Thabo Mbeki’s being replaced as ANC president by Jacob Zuma.

Malema said Mbeki’s major supporters were also shocked by the Polokwane conference’s outcome, going so far as to create opposition party the Congress of the People.

”That’s what happens when you invest too much into politics.”

He said that Cabinet was going to be announced soon and ”all of us are going to be shocked. As it is, we are lobbying for certain people to become ministers.

”We will accept them, but we will let the leadership know of our dissatisfaction … they are dealing with militant and radical young people.”

They were not puppets and would make themselves heard when they were or weren’t happy with certain issues, he added. — Sapa