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ANCWL call for boost in numbers

Riot Hlatshwayo

Riot Hlatshwayo

The newly elected Mpumalanga provincial ANC women's league has affirmed its commitment to a 50percent representation of women in government structures and parastatals.

This was one of the issues discussed at the league's conference at the Lowveld Agricultural College in Nelspruit this past weekend.

The leadership that has committed itself to working towards the integration of women's issues into the mainstream of society include former Mpumalanga premier Mathews Phosa's wife, Pinky, as chairman and MEC for agriculture and land administration Dina Pule as secretary.

Other elected members are: Violet Siwela, deputy chairman; Augustine Masilela, deputy secretary; and Priscilla Themba, treasurer.

About 600 delegates from the regions of Bohlabela, Nkangala, Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni attended the conference.

"Delegates at the conference were inspired by the conference's theme, 'The year of women to intensify the struggle against poverty as we advance in unity towards 2012, the Centenary of the ANC'," said Pule.

Among other things, the conference resolved to facilitate the creation of an economic empowerment fund for women.

It also resolved to support the creation of a women's ministry in accordance with ANC policy and to facilitate land ownership by women.

The conference also resolved to build solidarity with rural women in their fight against poverty as well as to actively call for a crime-free South Africa by continuously exposing all forms of abuse and criminal behaviour.

"The league will continue to partner with other progressive forces to attain the fulfilment of a better life for all, especially women," said Pule.

The provincial ANC secretary, Lucas Mello, congratulated the league for having held a good conference.

"We congratulate the league on a successful provincial conference and we believe that having come up with good resolutions, the standard of life will improve," said Mello.

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