Weekly Mail Reporters
MOST of the 14 regions of the ANC’s Women’s League have condemned the recent decision of 11 members of the league’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to resign their posts without proper consultation.
The league’s Northern Natal secretary, Nokwethemba Biyela, said 12 of the 14 regions had “stood up” at the NEC meeting last Saturday to say “they fully support Winnie Mandela because it seems those 11 don’t care about the regions”.
Of 10 regions randomly canvassed by the Weekly Mail & Guardian, representatives of six condemned the manner in which the resignations were carried out. They are Natal Midlands, Northern Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Transvaal and North-West.
Eastern Cape chair Dipuo Kondile said she was “very much disappointed” that the resignations were not submitted through the “correct channels. We, the regions and the branches, elected them to the NEC. They needed to consult us.”
Western Cape secretary Nosipho Ntwanambi said that despite the resignations, the league was “functioning very well. The regions and branches make up the league — not 11 individuals. The league will be there with or without them.”
Transkei and Northern Transvaal declined to comment, saying the crisis was not a metter to be debated in the media. Southern Natal said it had not yet received an official account of the issue and had not adopted a formal position.
Only Gauteng resolutely defended the action, with representative Nom-vula Nkonyana — a member of the dissident group — arguing that the resignations were submitted at an NEC meeting and were within the parameters of the league’s constitution.
Although many of the regions refrained from taking sides in the dispute, several were adamant in their support of Mandela and some hinted that the dissidents had seized on the clash between the deputy arts, culture, science and technology minister and her estranged husband, President Nelson Mandela, over her public criticism of the government of national unity.
“If they saw that Winnie had a lot of problems, you cannot bring more problems if you love that person — you must come and sit down and discuss it with her,” said Natal Midlands chair Happy Blose.
Biyela blamed the resignations on the unwillingness of the 11 to attend a consultative conference planned for March where the treasurer’s and secretary’s reports would be demanded by members. There were allegations that NEC member Thandi Modise’s signature had been forged on a R500 000 cheque, Biyela added.
Treasurer-general Adelaide Tambo led the walkout of the 11 women about two weeks ago. She could not be reached for comment this week. A spokesman for the rebel group, Lindiwe Zulu, declined to comment.
Ntwanambi said the Omar Sharif venture, which the women cited as a reason for their resignations, had been endorsed by the NEC last October. In terms of the venture, profits would be shared equally between Sharif and the league.
The venture would see Sharif enticing African-American tourists to visit South Africa’s historic liberation sites. Ntwanambi said the venture would also include projects to provide skills and employment to South African women.
North-West chair Olive Khobe said while her regional executive committee has still not met to discuss the dispute, she has received many calls from members who were backing Mandela. “She’s a crowd-puller. People on the ground are saying just leave her alone and those who resigned took the wrong direction.”
Eastern Transvaal treasurer Candith Mashego said while she understood the frustrations of the rebels, they needed to call a full leadership summit to tender their resignations. “We are very bitter about what is happening because we are worried about local government elections, especially in our weaker provinces like kwaZulu/ Natal and the Western Cape. We will suffer in the elections and they are just having personal squabbles at head office.”