Gauteng ANC satisfied with cabinet gender parity
The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng has no plans to change the composition of the provincial cabinet, despite growing calls from the organisation’s women’s league for a greater representation of women.
The provincial branch has been taken to task to explain why it deviated from the party’s post-election decision to have a 60/40 gender representation, where there is a majority of female MECs.
Currently the ratio is 50/50 with a male premier, David Makhura.
Provincial secretary Jacob Khawe says a number of factors were considered when the current cabinet was elected, including skills and qualification.
"We first went to the constitution of the ANC and policies of the ANC which are giving a clear directive of a 50/50 inclusion in structures of government," says Khawe.
"In the province, in all sectors as regarding to women deployment and we have no issues. And therefore we think that if we can allow these fellows who are appointed to focus really on key issues."
Khawe further denied speculation that MEC for transport and road infrastructure, Jacob Mambole, might be up for the chop.
The provincial executive committee is still in discussions but have so far not been able to come to an agreement.
Following that they will then meet with the national executive committee to present their case on why they should maintain the current structure of MECs.
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