Gender committee wants 50-50 lists

GENDER equality, changing the generational mix of the ANC leadership, and transforming the economy so as to create more jobs.

These are some of the key issues the 2000 delegates at the ANC national general council have grappled with over the past three days.

Yesterday the parties gender committee called for 50-50 representation of women on party lists during elections. The committee said it wanted the Independent Electoral Commission to reject any list that did not comply.

"It must not accept a list that shows sexism," said ANC Women's League's Angie Motshekga. "If it means amending the Electoral Act, so be it."

Motshekga was also concerned about the slow pace of change in the economic sector when it came to gender equality.

"Despite significant employment equity gains as a result of labour legislation and other policies, the patterns of inequality continue to be reflected in labour force data. It highlights the broad trends that reflect the gender nature of employment that favours men," she said.

President Jacob Zuma assured business that the NGC was dealing with economic transformation in a way that accommodated it.

Zuma said the high presence of business at the NGC was an indication that the sector was comfortable with how the ANC dealt with issues.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi confirmed at the beginning of the NGC on Monday that the labour federation was unhappy with progress made so far on the economic front.