ANCWL gathers in Pretoria for march to protect Zuma

The women are marching to the seat of government in defence of Zuma’s “dignity” which they said had been denigrated by the controversial painting by Ayanda Mabulu.

The march would also be commemorate OR Tambo month.They were wearing their trademark green and black uniform while others wore yellow ANC t-shirts with President Jacob Zuma’s face.

The women were wearing their trademark green and black uniform while others wore yellow ANC t-shirts bearing and image of President Zuma’s face.

Several vehicles were arriving on the scene, escorted by police vehicles with blue lights and the National Traffic Police. Numerous bodyguards were milling near the protesting women.

In a statement earlier this week, the ANCWL said: “We condemn the denigration of the image of President Zuma by so-called artists. For example, recently the portrayal of the President’s genitals in the mouth of a woman.”

In recent years there have been a number of paintings depicting Zuma’s genitals, sparking outrage in certain quarters and heated debate around freedom of expression and respect for the rights of individuals.

The ANCWL said that at the recent National General Council (NGC) of the ANC, delegates had taken the time to discuss the environment inside and outside of the movement and they had concluded that the ANC was under attack.

“The Women’s League as an integral part of the ANC, participated with vigour in the NGC and we agreed that indeed the sentiments and the resolve of the NGC is on point,” it said.

“As we continue with the responsibility bestowed upon us to defend the NDR (national democratic revolution), as the leaders of one of its primary motive forces – the ANCWL – we will embark on a protest to defend the movement in general and the President of the ANC in particular as to ensure that the gains of the revolution among others are protected.”

The ANCWL said rights that needed protecting include:

* The right to dignity of the citizens including the President as a person and his office as an institution;

* The right to education as the future belongs to our children;

* The emancipation and mainstreaming of women development in the radical socio-economic struggle of the movement;

* The recognition that a non-sexist society encompasses the space of women leadership to be appreciated by society as we continue to fight against patriarchy;

* The fight against gender-based violence in light of the period of 16 days of activism against abuse of women and children; and

* The fight against the portrayal of women as objects and their bodily integrity that reflects a degeneration of societal values, under the guise of freedom of speech and freedom of expression using the President to undermine the agenda of women.

“The country was silent and even failed to condemn the imagery of violence against women. Women journalists themselves are not emancipated and used by a patriarchal agenda to fight against struggle of the woman,” the league said.

“The moral regeneration program that promotes family values such as respect of elders and every human being in promoting the fact that no right of one person should be above the right of another,” the ANCWL said.

“We, therefore, stand firm in saying ‘hands off President Zuma’ as the leader of the organisation and father of the Nation, in defense of the ‘national democratic revolution’.”

“Women reaffirm the leadership of President Zuma as the champion of the revolution. The leadership of the movement leading the ‘national democratic revolution’ is represented by the face of its President, therefore, by virtue of this fact he is the human face of our revolution,” it said.

“The ANCWL, therefore, regards any attack on the President as an attack on the Revolution and the Organisation – The African National Congress.”

This week Zuma’s son Edward said he was upset by the denigration of his father and warned that he would “deal with” Mabulu if ever they were to meet. - ANA