Bathabile Dlamini believes NDZ election will deal blow to patriarchy
African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) president
Bathabile Dlamini says the election of
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as the party’s new president
will break down gender barriers.
Dlamini addressed media on the sidelines on the second day of the 54th ANC National Conference.
The ANCWL has endorsed Dlamini-Zuma as their preferred candidate for the president of the ANC.
“She is a leader of the ANC, but also a woman. It is important for us because the ANC has been able to grapple with race and class but issues of gender and non-sexism have been difficult for the party. This means that we are maturing as a party.
“We are proud and happy of the fact that there are three women that have been nominated for presidency. We have strong female candidates for the top two leadership positions, which tells us that the structures of the ANC accept the leadership of women.”
Dlamini believes the election of the former African Union Commission (AU) chair will deal a blow to patriarchy.
“South Africa is a patriarchal country. We all stay in families where there the man is favoured, even organisations and the law favours men in this country. This gives us an opportunity as the women’s league to go and define what it means to have a female president.”