Men in the ANC had the “audacity” to instruct women who to elect as leaders, ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) president Angie Motshekga said on Thursday.

She was delivering her political report to the conference in Pretoria.

“It cannot be [that in] the ANC… as women are currently subjected to… male leaders have the audacity to instruct us on who to choose, as recently happened in some regions and provinces. That was nothing but abuse of office and relationships, and should be condemned in the strongest terms,” she said.

Motshekga said it was important to manage and maintain a healthy relationship with the mother body. However, patriarchy created unequal relationships which should be condemned.

“Being told at an organisational or official government platform by an ANC chair, who to choose for the ANCWL leadership, amounts to abuse of office of the highest order and should be rejected in no uncertain terms.”

It was not clear to whom Motshekga was referring.

She said the ANCWL, although part of the ANC, remained autonomous and free to choose its leaders.

The ANCWL carried on its shoulders the task to defeat misogyny, male chauvinism and patriarchy.

The league has battled for two years to hold its congress with the original one meant to be convened in 2013 and the event already postponed twice this year.

It is understood Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini will contest Motshekga for the president position.

Earlier, delegates sang songs and showed signs indicating their preferred candidate for ANCWL president.

Some rolled their hands – the soccer sign for change – while others held up two fingers indicating they wanted a second term for Motshekga.

On the issue of patriarchy, Motshekga said women had to be more assertive and brave to destroy it, not only outside, but also in the ANC.

“Our leaders in the ANC should treat us with absolute respect, because we deserve and expect nothing less,” she said.

However, she added the ANCWL, under her leadership, had received respect from the ANC leaders.

Motshekga, who has always been a strong supporter of President Jacob Zuma, said he had always shown the league respect and it was up to women in the provinces to demand the same.

“People should not threaten us or even use us as pawns. This is unacceptable.

“If we cannot stand up in our organisation, how do we hope to stand up for anyone anywhere else? Charity begins at home,” she concluded. News24