ANC Internal Strife Erupts Over Gender Representation in North West Province

The African National Congress (ANC)'s commitment to gender parity has sparked internal conflict with the recent ousting of Collen Maine as the MEC of arts, sports, culture, and recreation in the North West province. In adherence to the party's national policy of maintaining a 60/40 gender split, Maine's departure was designed to create space for Tsotso Tlhapi, a female member of the executive council.

This abrupt change has ignited strife within the ANC ranks. The decision came at the behest of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC), which directed the North West and Mpumalanga to enhance female inclusion, as both were helmed by male premiers.

North West Premier Lazzy Mokgosi initiated the reshuffle, aiming to align with the party’s directive and showcasing the ANC’s commitment to gender-balanced governance. However, this decision was met with internal resistance and unveiled notable fissures among high-ranking officials.

The exclusion of the ANC Women’s League and the civic organization South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) from the new executive council (exco) has added to the discontent. Both structures expressed dissatisfaction, feeling sidelined in the deliberation process and subsequent appointments.

An informant within the party revealed that Maine's discontent emerged after a clash within the ANC's top five leaders, leading to a vote. The disagreement was particularly focused on whether Maine or Madoda Sambatha, the SACP deployee for agriculture and rural development, should be removed. In the end, Maine, perceived by some as a shadow leader influencing the premier, was voted out.

The ANC Women's League had advocated for Priscilla Williams, a prominent member of the league and Member of the Provincial Legislature, to fill Maine's vacated position – a suggestion that the party leadership overlooked. Allegations of prior misconduct have also tainted Tlhapi, raising further questions about the motives behind her selection.

The outcry from SANCO, which lost the deputy speaker role following allegations of unverified credentials against their member, further complicates the matter. A formal letter was dispatched to the ANC secretary-general and other key figures, lamenting what SANCO identifies as selective decision-making and the continued marginalization of its voice within the ANC's North West structure.

This upheaval lays bare the challenges of enforcing gender quotas within a political framework and exposes the ramifications of reshuffling based on intra-party loyalties rather than inclusive decision-making or merit. It remains to be seen how the ANC will navigate these tensions and what measures it will adopt to remedy the discontent among its ranks and alliance partners.