Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya on Menopause @KASIBC_NEWS

Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya on Menopause @KASIBC_NEWS 

The ANC Women’s League is appalled by the statement made by the ANC Youth League in Greater Tshwane Region, and strongly condemns the impertinent and imprudent “invocation of menopause as a metaphor for political atavism and reactionary regression by the ANC Youth League”. Such language is not only scientifically and socially flawed but also deeply disrespectful to the lived experiences of women, particularly within our movement, which champions equality, dignity and progressive discourse. Chapter two (2) of the South African Constitution guarantees the right to human dignity and the extent to which the right is protected is limitless, and the ANCWL subscribes to the principles of non-sexism and opposed to all forms of discrimination and chauvinism. 

Irrespective of our anger and dissatisfaction on various issues we differ upon, it is impolite to vulgarise the reproductive cycle of women. Menopause is a natural biological transition, representing wisdom, experience, and strength - qualities that should be celebrated, not disparaged. To use it as a means of demeaning an individual, borders on the lines of ill-discipline and disrespect for our elders and women in general. It also undermines the struggle for gender equity and reinforces harmful stereotypes that have no place in a progressive and democratic society. 

This type of behaviour wreaks of patriarchal behaviour, that’s borne out of a demonic patriarchal system that has a negative impact on the well-being of our women. Many women sacrificed everything to break the chains of patriarchy, and if it can't be corrected today, all those efforts will be undermined and reduced to derogatory and misogyny. 

Whilst we appreciate the withdrawal of the ANCYL paragraph five (5) as stated in their selective apology, we are concerned about the uncouth language used in the statement. We frown on the behaviour and the obscene literature which stands against our upbringing and the moral fibre of our movement and society. 

The ANC Youth League has a revolutionary duty to define their own path, in an endeavour to equip young people with the necessary expertise in a rapidly changing economic landscape, however the ANCWL encourages civility and demeanour in addressing these pertinent matters. 

We cannot therefore condone the use of crude words to describe the Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya and Cde Morakane Mosupye, especially when we celebrate a month where young people of yesteryear played a significant role in shaping a new political trajectory through the 1976 June uprising.  

We are equally bewildered with the statement issued by the Young Women’s Desk (YWD) in Tshwane which further exacerbated the unrefined pronouncement on the dignity of Cde Morakane Mosupye, and we want to categorically state that none of our structures has commissioned such discourse. 

The ANCWL unreservedly extend our heartfelt apologies to Cde Morakane Mosupye on the assertions made by the YWD from Tshwane, which approximate to malicious intent to harm her personal integrity. The Young Women’s Desk continues to be a “desk” of the ANC Women’s League and its purpose of existence remains that of amplifying the voice of young people in pursuit of the struggle for the total emancipation of women from an inherently patriarchal society. 

Therefore, the indecorum which departs from the adopted organisational principles and culture of the ANC Women’s League is tantamount to unethical and immoral conduct which detracts from the character, values and integrity of our movement. In consequence of the deviation from the good character that defines our movement, the ANC Women’s League has directed the Young Women’s Desk in Tshwane to withdraw its statement, and issue a public apology. We further encourage these young people to seek counsel to confront future political discourse. 

The ANC Women’s League remains committed to the battle of ideas which upholds the values of inclusivity, respect, and meaningful engagement in pursuit of the democratic ideals we stand for and advancing gender equality. We will continue to speak out against any form of sexist and/or disrespectful language that undermines the dignity of women. 

We urge the Youth League to apologize without reservations for their comments and to demonstrate greater sensitivity in future communications. In the seventieth (70) year of the Freedom Charter let us draw inspiration from the 1955 generation of volunteers who devoted their lives in pursuance of social justice, equality and human rights for all.