ANC accused of failing the girl child

The top 6 leadership consists of only one, re-elected female, Jessie Duarte.

The CGE says this is a blow to gender parity. 

Spokesperson Javu Baloyi says the election of a non-inclusive gender leadership of the governing party has failed many.

"As a commission for gender equality we are disappointed. We thought that we could have moved forward in terms of gender parity in the top 6 of the ANC. Political parties should not pin male against female candidates in elections because of the patriarchal mentality of the voters."

Ramaphosa was locked in a bruising battle with ANC MP Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for the leadership of the party. The winning margin was only 179 votes.

"The only thing to do is to have a policy that clearly addresses gender issues. It is currently a gentlemen's agreement and only in principal. They need to write it down, we can defeat this - the onus is not only with the ANC but also with all other political parties."

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Baloyi argues that the failure to choose a diverse leadership will be felt by the girl child as they will have no female rold models to aspire to.

"It is sad but also a slap in the face for females. We are also calling it a setback for the girl looking for role models in society which can inspire them. If we don't give them those role models especially in political leadership, we are failing the girl child," says Baloyi.