Mantashe Refuses to Apologise for Sexist Remarks

African National Congress national chairperson Gwede Mantashe faces an escalating internal dispute after refusing to issue an unconditional apology for crude remarks about sex-for-jobs allegations. While secretary-general Fikile Mbalula declared the matter closed following a qualified apology, the ANC Women’s League and external groups demand formal disciplinary action.

The controversy stems from a weekend campaign interaction in the North West province, where a journalist questioned ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe about allegations that local municipal councillors demanded sexual favours from women seeking employment. Responding in isiXhosa, Mantashe used explicit terminology to dismiss any institutional link to the party.

crude remarks

Don’t involve me in issues of asking for a vagina. This person asked for his vagina from a person that he encountered. This can’t be an ANC issue.

The remarks drew swift condemnation from civil society and internal party structures. Sonke Gender Justice argued that the statements trivialised sexual extortion and degraded women, noting that demanding sex in exchange for employment constitutes a serious abuse of power under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe — Photo: Mail & Guardian

ANC Women’s League Rejects Half-Apology

The ANC Women’s League dug in its heels after Mantashe addressed the controversy on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in Cape Town. Speaking to the public broadcaster, Mantashe maintained that he did not understand what offence he had caused or why an apology was necessary.

I’m apologising, but I don’t know what I must apologise for.

Unbelievable: Gwede Mantashe Attacks ANC Women's League, Refuses to Apologize

Mantashe asserted that isiXhosa linguists agreed his phrasing contained nothing improper. The Women’s League dismissed that defense as tone-deaf and accused the minister of relying on theatrics to feign ignorance. In a sharply worded statement, the league argued that his remarks failed to reflect the empathy required when addressing crimes that disproportionately target vulnerable women.

ANCWL secretary-general Nokuthula Nqaba publicly called on Mantashe to issue a public apology to the Newzroom Afrika journalist, Zola Sholwana, who asked the question, as well as to the general public. Nqaba emphasized that the Women’s League expects representatives in government to uphold the moral code of the organization at all times.

ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe refuses to apologize to ANCWL about his sexual statement

Fikile Mbalula Declares the Dispute Settled

Party leadership attempted to draw a line under the furore on Wednesday afternoon. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told reporters at Luthuli House that the National Working Committee had reflected on the matter and considered the dispute closed.

Mbalula acknowledged that phrasing can cause unintended offence even when a speaker believes their core message is sound. He urged senior leaders to polish their public communication.

Mantashe Refuses to Apologise for Sexist Remarks — Photo: IOL

Mbalula said the matter is closed unless there are some people who still want to debate it and all of that.

External Demands for Formal Sanctions and Training

Despite the party’s assertion that the matter is settled, outside organizations are pushing for institutional consequences ahead of the upcoming 4 November local government elections. Sonke Gender Justice demanded formal disciplinary proceedings, an independent investigation into the municipal councillors implicated in the mining town, and a referral of potential criminal conduct to law enforcement authorities.

Gwede Mantashe refuses to apologize to the woman league of ANC #madlangacommission

The advocacy group also called for mandatory gender-sensitivity training for all African National Congress national executive committee members, councillors, and deployed representatives before voters head to the ballot boxes.