Gwede Mantashe Responds To ANC Women’s League Demands For An Apology

African National Congress (ANC) national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has questioned demands by the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) for a public apology over remarks the organisation has described as offensive and unacceptable.

Mantashe said he did not understand what he was expected to apologise for, arguing that the Women’s League had not approached him directly to discuss the controversy.

The disagreement followed a statement by the ANCWL condemning what it called disturbing and derogatory remarks by the senior party leader. The league called for an immediate and unconditional retraction, placing pressure on Mantashe to address its concerns.

Responding to the backlash, Mantashe said he had not been directly engaged by the organisation about the comments at the centre of the dispute.

“The ANCWL has not engaged me directly on this matter,” Mantashe said. “As it stands, I do not even know what it is I am expected to apologise for.”

His response suggests that the disagreement has not yet been resolved through direct communication between the two sides. However, the information provided does not specify the exact remarks that triggered the Women’s League’s reaction, making it difficult to assess the substance of the complaint independently.

The dispute has also drawn attention to relations within the ANC, where disagreements between party leaders and internal structures can become public before the parties reach a resolution.

The ANCWL’s demand for an apology indicates that it considers the remarks serious enough to warrant a formal response. Mantashe, meanwhile, has challenged the process, saying he has not received a direct explanation of what he is being asked to apologise for.

Whether the two sides will meet to discuss the issue remains unclear. The available information does not confirm whether a formal engagement has been arranged or whether the league intends to maintain its demand without further discussions.

The dispute places the focus on both the content of Mantashe’s alleged remarks and the way the complaint is being handled within the governing party.

For now, the ANC chairperson’s response has not brought the controversy to a close. The ANCWL’s next steps, as well as any further explanation from Mantashe about the comments in question, could determine whether the disagreement develops further or is resolved through internal party channels.

Source: https://x.com/mdnnewss/status/2112922568705364450?s=46

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