I Don’t Even Know What You Want Anymore: Mantashe Replies ANC Women’s League Over Apology Demands

African National Congress National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe has pushed back against public calls from the ANC Women’s League demanding an immediate apology and organizational reprimand over controversial remarks he made during a recent media encounter. Responding to the league’s public declaration, Mantashe stated that the leadership of the women’s wing had not initiated any direct, internal consultation with him regarding their grievances, leaving him unaware of the specific grounds or context for which he is expected to issue a formal apology.

The public dispute between the senior party official and the women’s structure follows circulating video footage of an exchange between Mantashe and a television journalist during an organizational campaign event. When questioned regarding serious allegations that a local municipal councillor in a mining town had demanded sexual favors from women in exchange for employment opportunities, Mantashe dismissed suggestions that the matter involved party policy. In his response, the national chairperson used explicit language while attempting to distance the governing party from individual misconduct, asserting that personal misbehavior by elected officials should not be attributed to the broader organization.

The ANC Women’s League swiftly issued a public statement condemning the national chairperson’s choice of words as gratuitously improper, derogatory, and inappropriate for a senior leader. League officials emphasized that as an elder of the movement, Mantashe is obligated to uphold principles of equality, non-sexism, and moral respect, particularly when addressing sensitive issues surrounding the exploitation of vulnerable job seekers. The league formally issued an apology to the journalist on behalf of the party, while calling on internal organizational structures to institute formal disciplinary steps against Mantashe for his remarks.

In defense of his position, Mantashe indicated that organizational protocols require party structures to address internal disagreements and grievances through established leadership channels before issuing public demands. By raising the matter in the media without first engaging him in direct dialogue, the women’s league created unnecessary confusion regarding the nature of the dispute, according to Mantashe. He maintained that without formal internal communication detailing the specific violations alleged by the league, he remains unable to respond constructively to the demands.

The public fallout highlights growing internal friction within the governing party as leadership structures struggle to manage public communication and maintain discipline ahead of major political engagements. The dispute has also drawn wider public interest, with civil society organizations and opposition figures weighing in on how political parties handle allegations of gender-based exploitation and public accountability. As calls for leadership intervention grow, top party officials are expected to address the rift internally to restore organizational cohesion and uphold statutory communication standards across all party wings.

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