ANCWL 'still wants a woman'

2007-12-03 23:38

Johannesburg - The ANC Women's League (ANCWL) remains committed to the struggle for the emancipation of women, the organisation said on Monday.

"We remain committed to the struggle for the emancipation of women and the promotion of gender equality."

The statement follows the league's nomination of ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma as its candidate for the party presidency.

"We still desire to ensure a woman in the presidency, so we will continue to nudge other structures. We support the democratic process and the outcome (of the ANCWL nomination), but despite that will continue to support Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma," said secretary-general Bathabile Dlamini.

"The Women's League will involve itself in the process of bargaining up until the conference," she added.

Dlamini said there was an "expectation" that the league would vote for Dlamini-Zuma. The league continued to support her for a position in the presidency. However, this did not mean the league would "dump" the position taken through its structures - the nomination of Jacob Zuma for president.

The NWC also expressed its "support and confidence" in President Thabo Mbeki's leadership through "difficult and trying times".

The league's surprising decision to nominate ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma to lead the ruling party has drawn criticism from several senior ANC figures.

The nomination gave Zuma a decisive lead over Mbeki in the party's leadership race.

- SAPA