ANC Women's League president Angie Motshekga defended the organisation's decision not to put forward a female candidate for the party presidency, saying it was not for lack of quality.
She said the women's league had produced several women of intellectual calibre who contributed immensely to the ANC.
Motshekga was speaking at the unveiling of the women's monument at the Emlotheni Memorial site in New Brighton yesterday to commemorate ANC stalwart Florence Matomela.
The ANC's regional headquarters was also officially renamed to Florence Matomela House.
"As part of the road to Mangaung, we have been accused of not being able to produce women who can lead the party, but that's not true because we have produced women like Matomela," Motshekga said.
"You can't say we don't produce quality... If we don't run for president, it doesn't mean we don't play our role."
She was echoed by ANC national executive committee member Bathabile Dlamini, who said the organisation produced leaders such as AU president Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
"To say that there won't be a president from the ANC that's a woman is a lie... The DA made [Helen] Zille a leader because she just did research. Her debate is that of the gutters, not an intellectual debate," Dlamini said.
Meanwhile, speaking fondly of Matomela, social development MEC and acting Premier Pemmy Majodina said: "We are here for that commitment that Matomela had to the struggle, to uplift women so that we are able to work side by side with men.
"We are here to start her story, not history. We are not competing, but we want to say we were in this struggle with men.
"We are going to go to all districts in the province and identify where there were strong women... because we must give these women the honour they deserve."
While the Matomela family was grateful for the commemoration, the stalwart's granddaughter, Thobeka Ngubo, wanted to know how the family would be assisted financially.
"Was it worth it to sacrifice her [Matomela] children's education for the struggle? I say no because one of her children did not attend school and is battling to educate her children.
"When we came knocking on these doors asking the REC [regional executive committee] to help us, we were ignored. But the women's league in ward 14 did not ignore us," Ngubo said.
"We want to know, what about her children and grandchildren? Will the ANC help?
"What about Frank Matomela [Florence's husband]? He was also a fighter in the struggle but you don't hear his name.
"We want to thank the ANC for bestowing this honour on our grandmother and I have faith that you will listen to the family's pleas," she said.
Angie defends lack of women in ANC leadership race
ANC Women's League president Angie Motshekga defended the organisation's decision not to put forward a female candidate for the party presidency, saying it was not for lack of quality.
She said the women's league had produced several women of intellectual calibre who contributed immensely to the ANC.
Motshekga was speaking at the unveiling of the women's monument at the Emlotheni Memorial site in New Brighton yesterday to commemorate ANC stalwart Florence Matomela.
The ANC's regional headquarters was also officially renamed to Florence Matomela House.
"As part of the road to Mangaung, we have been accused of not being able to produce women who can lead the party, but that's not true because we have produced women like Matomela," Motshekga said.
"You can't say we don't produce quality... If we don't run for president, it doesn't mean we don't play our role."
She was echoed by ANC national executive committee member Bathabile Dlamini, who said the organisation produced leaders such as AU president Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
"To say that there won't be a president from the ANC that's a woman is a lie... The DA made [Helen] Zille a leader because she just did research. Her debate is that of the gutters, not an intellectual debate," Dlamini said.
Meanwhile, speaking fondly of Matomela, social development MEC and acting Premier Pemmy Majodina said: "We are here for that commitment that Matomela had to the struggle, to uplift women so that we are able to work side by side with men.
"We are here to start her story, not history. We are not competing, but we want to say we were in this struggle with men.
"We are going to go to all districts in the province and identify where there were strong women... because we must give these women the honour they deserve."
While the Matomela family was grateful for the commemoration, the stalwart's granddaughter, Thobeka Ngubo, wanted to know how the family would be assisted financially.
"Was it worth it to sacrifice her [Matomela] children's education for the struggle? I say no because one of her children did not attend school and is battling to educate her children.
"When we came knocking on these doors asking the REC [regional executive committee] to help us, we were ignored. But the women's league in ward 14 did not ignore us," Ngubo said.
"We want to know, what about her children and grandchildren? Will the ANC help?
"What about Frank Matomela [Florence's husband]? He was also a fighter in the struggle but you don't hear his name.
"We want to thank the ANC for bestowing this honour on our grandmother and I have faith that you will listen to the family's pleas," she said.
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