ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane has made a bold call for women to assume greater leadership within the ruling party, declaring herself “a proponent of women taking over the party.”
Speaking at a Women’s League dialogue in Soweto on Saturday, Mokonyane said the time has come for the ANC to move beyond symbolic representation and actively champion women-led leadership at all levels.
“For too long, women have been the backbone of this movement — organising, campaigning, and mobilising. But when it comes to leadership, we’re still given crumbs,” she said to loud applause. “I am not just supportive — I am a proponent of women taking over the party.”
Her comments come ahead of the ANC’s policy review conference later this year, where gender representation and leadership succession are expected to feature prominently.
Mokonyane, a seasoned political figure and one of the highest-ranking women in the ANC, said real transformation would only happen when women are trusted with top positions, including party presidency.
“We are not asking for permission. We are ready, capable, and deserving,” she added.
While the ANC has made strides in gender representation — with a 50/50 quota in many structures — critics argue that women are still underrepresented in positions of real power and decision-making.
Political analyst Amanda Mzobe says Mokonyane’s remarks could signal a shift in the ANC’s internal power dynamics. “It’s not just rhetoric. There is growing pressure from within for the party to reflect the country’s demographic reality — and that includes more women at the top.”
Whether Mokonyane’s call sparks action or remains aspirational will depend on how the ANC responds in the coming months.
