Zille: The statement that caused the trouble

COSATU, whose partner, the ANC, has just dropped a woman from the Deputy President position, has a nerve to attack me over the gender composition of the DA and ID Western Cape Provincial Cabinet.

The ANC, in all its 90 years of existence, has never elected (or deployed) a woman as its leader. The DA has done so within the first ten years of its existence. In fact, until recently, both the DA's national leader and Parliamentary leader were women.

The ANC's alliance partners, the SACP and COSATU, are also led by men. And, more significantly, the ANC's leader, Jacob Zuma, is a self-confessed womanizer with deeply sexist views, who put all his wives at risk by having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman. Even after this the ANC women's league strongly endorsed his Presidential campaign. Their professions of support for women's rights ring hollow indeed against this background.

While some of the ANC's senior women achieved their positions on merit, others are well known "quota appointments". The ANC can therefore pretend to be serious about women's rights, while actually patronizing women who want to be recognized for their ability.

Jacob Zuma is able to make all his quota and politically expedient appointments because he has extended his Cabinet (including Deputy Ministers) to a ludicrous 62 members -- at taxpayers' expense.

In contrast, Provinces are confined by law to 10 MECs drawn from the list elected to the provincial Parliament.

Zuma's expanded cabinet will cost an extra R19 million in salaries alone, before adding the cost of all the staff and perks to which they are entitled. But the real power remains firmly in the hands of the 'big men'.

This is blatant hypocrisy. When women are appointed to meet a quota, it is an insult to every woman who has achieved her position through adding value, such as women in the DA.

By paying lip-service to the empowerment of women, the ANC is also promoting the mindset that only women can care about the issues affecting women, or do something about them. The same applies to the ANC's warped logic regarding race, which says that only black people can care about black people, that only whites can care about whites and so on. This is racist nationalist thinking which goes against the letter and spirit of our constitution. It is also something that every intelligent South African should reject.

In the DA we believe that human beings can care for each other regardless of race or gender. The real test of democratic equality is how well services are delivered to everyone, on an equitable basis, not the colour or gender of the people delivering them.

Helen Zille
Premier of the Western Cape

Source: The Sowetan. See the comments Zille was responding to in the text box below.

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'It's a serious concern for all of us [the gender composition of the Western Cape cabinet]. It is not a good message being sent to women, that they don't have a role to play, 15 years into democracy,' said Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, hours after being appointed minister of the Department of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities.... Mayende-Sibiya disagreed with the notion that there were no women who could also have done a good job, saying Zille's cabinet was 'not a pretty picture at all. My office wants to get into that matter. We want to raise it as a serious concern that the Western Cape government consists of only one woman, and the rest are men,' she said."

The Argus, May 11 2009

 

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responses to this article

ZILLE ON WOMEN IN CABINET! THIS IS AN ISSUE INVOLVING OM THE BALANCING ACT WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT COULD IN THE BEST INTEREST FOR AND WHILE DELIBERATING IN THE CHAMBERS! IT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE PREMIER OF WESTERN CAPE DEMONISING ZULU CULTURE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT . .more ISSUE NOT THE NUMBER OF WOMEN A MAN CAN MARRY ACCORDING TO THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE, THIS IS ABLOW BELOW YHE BELT AND DOES NOT GO DOWN WELL FOR THE OFFICE ZILLE YOU ARE HOLDING ! ZUMA SAID NOTHING ABOUT HOW GOOD AND EXEMPLERY THE WESTERN CAPES PREMIERS FAMILY IS. THOSE ARE PERSONAL ATTACHS DEVOID OF ANY PROVOCATION FROM ZUMA'S OR ZULU FAMILES!!! YOU NEED CO- OPERATION FOROM ALL RELEVANT QUARTERS INCLUDING THE THE ANC, IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THOSE SQUATTER COMPOUNDS IN CAPE TOWN, SO DO NOT PROVOKE OR BITE THE FINGER THAT WIIL FEED YOU!! LET US TALK DEVELOPMENT OF WOMENS' AFFAIRS AS AN ECONOMIC ISSUE NOT HOW WELL OR WORSE BOER WOMEN ARE SERVED UNDER THEIR MEN FOLKS!! YOU NEED ALL VOTES WHICH CAN HELP YOU STAY IN THE WESTERN CAPE PREMIERS POSITION INCLUDING POLIGAMOUS ZULUS FOR AS LONG AS YOU NEED THAT CHAIR!! SO COOL DOWN AND LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE!! . .less by MZONDI on May 13 2009, 05:27 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Right on Well said. We've had enough political correctness to sate us world wide - about time a spade was called by its name. by Zim Exile on May 13 2009, 06:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

True democracy As a Progressive party veteran who witnessed the darkest days of apartheid, I can wholeheartedly endorse Helen Zille's statements regarding the current DA's stance on these issues. MERIT remains the only criteria for appointing people to positions . .more of trust and responsibility - not their gender and definitely not their race. The supposed champions of South Africa's democracy - the ANC - don't seem to understand this fundamental principle within our constitution nor do they practice it. . .less by Reitz on May 13 2009, 08:06 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Get on with the job Are these politicians EVER going to actually get down to the work for which they are employed?The ANCYL sound like a bunch of 10 year olds and the DA should avoid personal attacks and stick to policy and performance issues. The gender issue is P******* . .more and only morons would consider the argument valid. The leader of the ANC and his impi's are are a dodgy lot but were still voted in so better get on with the job at hand. . .less by wendy on May 13 2009, 08:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Humans are humans. Helen Zille has told it exactly like it is. People should be respected for being human and seen as human and not be compartmentalised into gender and race. Merit should be the only criterion by which people are judged (with some allowances for . .more disability). Who cares what the gender or race of a professional are when it comes to performing a task? Clearly only the unintelligent, politically correct, STUPID, BIGOTED, RACIST mob that make up the rump of the ANC. . .less by flebus on May 13 2009, 08:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille's views Is it ever possible for Zille to comment without mentioning Zuma or the ANC? Zille has to tell the nation whether she is the only capable woman in the DA. by Mzimba on May 13 2009, 08:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Leave the Cape alone - go sort out the rest of the Country The ANC have lost the plot. They are so confused and driven by black racial obsession and they are now starting to mirror the Nationalist Government. They need to wake up and start applying the intellect and abandon the stupid and emotional . .more claptrap. Intelligent people cannot be fooled by the incredibly stupid behaviour and utterances of so many of the rather dumb ANC politicians. The Western Cape will do everything in its power to ensure that all its peoples are given the utmost that we are able to offer. And we will stop the filth of corruption right in its tracks. So, leave the Cape alone and go sort out the mess in the rest of the Country . .less by Against meddling on May 13 2009, 09:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Tactical Error DA is in a favourable position that it has not been in for the past 15 years. Zille should have taken the higher ground and speak to the issue of competent people within the jobs - one of the strategies of her election campaign. She has now come out . .more with claws - not good for the DA.. I tactical error I think - even though many share the views expressed by her. . .less by TJ on May 13 2009, 09:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ZILE i dont think SA need a leader like Zille at this time of the democrassy, so i think she need a serious help, I would like to address this to her : MY dear Zille as we are on the 15th years of democrassy i need you to understand that you are stiil back, My . .more you please contact those who have been in polictics before you talk. Zille you are a raisist and you are not wishing SA good progress. Regarding your provincial parliament you prove that you are a real raisist.Rember JZ is our pressident dont just say what ever you want about him. You are a stupid woman who dont know what he want, you are still lost get a free political lecture and guid, know who you fight with. . .less by Richard on May 13 2009, 10:02 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

A TERRIER REACTING TO ROTTWILERS ! DA voters cringe @ your focus on character. Focus on ISSUES - the mandate of my vote. Reacting to bait distracts; demeans - your role of action to reaction to taunting. STOP IT. by old, female, paleface on May 13 2009, 10:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Don't understand this hulalabaloo on Zille's statement. I didn't vote for the DA, I don't think I ever will, but what the ANC/ANCYL attributes to Zille (racism, sexist, etx) is absolute hogwash. The politics of this ANC lot have really degenerated into insult without thought: but what I don't understand is how and why people are . .more enjoying this c@@@p. I listened to her on radio yesterday and Gawd was she speaking to the issues. People accused her of racism, but didn't quote one single fact. The ANC is trying to silence the country by not speaking abou Zuma's issues now that he's the president, well they made the bed so they must sleep on it. By the way I am so black it's not even funny! . .less by Hayibo on May 13 2009, 10:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

MZONDI? Im saying with all due respect... but please stop being narrow minded and do a bit of reading. What Zille is saying is not an insult, unless you take it as such! What she is saying is true.... What the anc on the other hand responded with, . .more well lets leave it there. Maybe Zille should have said it in a "nicer" way, and made a little dance to accompany the speech... I guess then everyone would have not gone so mad about it... But she'll at least learn from her mistakes... im sure she wont say something like this again... Now on the other hand... Malema is due for another "statement", I figure by the end of the month.... He's not in the news enough this month, his "quota" is at least 3-4 times per week... . .less by lc on May 13 2009, 10:58 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Good Zille Let Zille tell Zuma what she wants to tell him. We are told not to have an unprotected sex but our President did. Mantashe, Vavi and Malema you are just ashamed of what your president did and you cant change what he did guys. He did it FULL STOP. I left . .more ANC because of shamefull things that this president did and you backed him. after 5 years I will re-join the ANC but not now. No that not everybody left ANC because of anger on Thabo issue as you are saying. Backing up the current president on ashaming things sweeped some of ANC members out of the organisation. I LOVED ANC and I still love it. Sharp guys . .less by Me on May 13 2009, 11:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille an imbecile bottox racist If the DA really "believed that human beings can care for each other regardless of race or gender" then Zille would have been comfortbale as the Mayor of Cape Town and Parliamentary Leader of the DA rather than contest every available position to DA. . .more Zille is an opportunist. Not only that but a stereotype who belives that only white men can govern her Cape colony! She must remember that we have campigned and worn against her former leaders who displayed similar tendencies to hers! . .less by Sibusiso on May 13 2009, 11:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Going down Arrogance, ignorance and a total inability to accept ANY kind of criticism of it's actions will be the downfall of the ANC. by Reitz on May 13 2009, 11:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Spot on Helen We don't need any more token people in positions just because they fulfil some politically correct need to fulfil racial or gender quotas. Enough already. Time to get back to the good old fashioned "best person for the job". There is much work to be done. . .more To get it done effectively we need the best people we can find. Most of Helen's choices seem pretty well qualified for the portfolio they have been given. Certainly criticise them if they fail at the job they have been given. I know Zille will be the first to take them on if they don't excel at their duties. However, don't criticise them because you believe jobs should be given based on racial and gender quotas. The ANC do that and as a consequence much of the civil service in the country has collapsed. People voted for the DA to get away from this incompetence. Zille is a woman with the skills of 20 ANC male MPs combined. That is the real story here. The reality is, the ANC male chauvinists just can't handle this intelligent women who is showing them up to be a bunch of lazy, useless, male buffoons. . .less by Sad days on May 13 2009, 11:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille: The statement that caused the trouble. I am very dissapointed by statements of Hellen Zille,she is getting too exited and she is a disgrace to the political arena,the mistake she is doing is attacking the Leadership that God has allowed to rule,she must understand that the mistake that she has . .more done is to allow herself and her party to become the provincial party,IFP tried and failed ID tried and failed she is the next in line if God wanted somebody else to rule this country that person would have done so.ANC is going to get back the WC and Cope is going to become the next official opposition party.She knows that without the ANC and the African people her party is amlost nothing.Let her focus on what she is going to do for the poor people of SA including women and stop this little girls behaviour,I thought Malema was ridiculous when he attacked her but he was rightly doing so.She must lead by inspiring the nation and stop irritating the peace loving SA citizens.She is only exciting the minority and the majority is irritated.We will see what she is going to do now that she has no one to blame for the failure of Westen Cape.She is now on the spotlight the tallest tree will now get most of the wind. . .less by Mpho BFN on May 13 2009, 11:49 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Oh shut up you silly woman Let's have a look at what she saying. What I can hear is that there are NO CAPABLE WOMEN in the WC? (besides Zille of course), and any appointment of women on her part would have been "QUOTA"?. We all know what happened the last time a white . .more person was supposed to "care" for black people.... . .less by KhulGaz on May 13 2009, 11:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

OH ZIlle!!! Dear Premier - The President Mr Jacob Zuma is your boss - you are a very disrespectful woman, with no respect for culture hence you only come out with 3% of the vote in the Cape Town townships. Zuma is not going to be re-trailed by you- dont start a war . .more Madam - the presdent still needs to approve your budgets and all! frankely if you had respect for the black community you wouldnt have your P******* 3% of the township (black) vote to show! Get yourself in order, are you trying to compete with the youth League - Madam you are old - behave. To the ANCYL my dear commrades you could have handled this one better! . .less by Sibongile Nhlapho on May 13 2009, 11:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

WOMEN So the coloured people of Cape Town & the women who voted you in power have no capabilities? you are such a user... using people for your own advancment, perhaps the coloured people will learn, Zille does not have your intrests at heart, has absolutely no . .more confidence in you - women in particular. Shame on You! . .less by Sibongile Nhlapo on May 13 2009, 11:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

What's with the nam change? Foreign Affairs to International Relations doesn't make Foregn Affairs a new department. Neither does National Party to New National Party and certainly not a Freedom Front when it adds the Plus. I still consider Lekota as an expired ANC chair . .more who changed his label after reaching an expiration date (changed to COPE). It would be unfair for the ANC to take away former president Mandela and Mbeki from its history, and Lekota is part of that histroy too. It is very difficult to even imagine a DP without Progressive Party and Helen Suzman, and maybe unfair to erase her on that history only by changing DP's name to DA in 2000 and then say it is a new party (The DA has done so within the first ten years of its existence). . .less by Renewed on May 13 2009, 11:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

I would love to know who people like Richard, above, are They can obviously use a computer or have an internet cell phone connection. They are connecting to politicsweb so one would assume they are relatively well informed. Yet they seem unable to construct a coherent sentence that makes sense. There are huge . .more chunks of Richard's post that simply don't make any sense whatsoever. And when it is intelligible, it is just a rant of accusations with no proof. Is it a language thing ? Is it an education thing ? I mean, if your posts don't make sense, why post ? . .less by Sad days on May 13 2009, 12:06 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Cruising for a bruising Zille went over the top. She can't restrain herself and can't be restrained so long as she is in her present position. Zille is a political suicide bomber, totally unsuited for the responsibilities that she has grabbed for herself. by Domza on May 13 2009, 12:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille is P*******! She sounds like a high school prefect who didnt make head girl! Miss Zille and all zuma haters, Zuma is your president, DEAL WITH IT! by ANC4Life on May 13 2009, 12:37 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Are you free or are you dom? This is just a case of freedom of speech taken too far. Now others even further to say things that potentially can get theminto trouble. ANCYL went too far by saying what they have said. But Zille should have known better. Does she dream Zuma? Can she . .more open her mouth without the Zuma word coming out of it? Isn't her husband jealous of her say so much about another man than him? . .less by Freedom on May 13 2009, 12:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

I am ashamed of being called South African at times. Seriously... The ANC messed the country after 15 years. THE ANC promised things for CAPE TOWN, and never delivered. ALL THE ANC PEOPLE IN MY PROVINCE ARE EXTREMELY RICH FROM TAX PAYER MONEY. THAT IS WHY WE VOTED FOR ZILLE... AT LEAST SHE . .more WOULDN"T HAVE TO STEEL MONEY, SHE ALREADY HAS SOME.... We got a raw deal from whites before, but not neearly as bad as in the last 15 years. Hell people in the townships still dont have proper toilets... and thats not the DA or the white people... THAT IS THE ANC...... . .less by Capetonian on May 13 2009, 13:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille I think SA white people are generally Racist. We (Blacks) need to be very decisive in dealing with rasist attitudes. We need to be as united as we were when we destroyed apartheid. WC should be ungovernable. by Pops on May 13 2009, 13:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

This is ridiculous Is Domza the only ANC supporter who can string a sentence together ? Where are all these illiterate posts coming from ? THINK before you write people. Write sentences that make sense. Read it back before posting. Give explanations for your . .more arguments. Use CAPS only for emphasis - to do the whole thing in Caps means you are shouting and it is impossible to read anyway. Use paragraphs. Finally, do a spell check and punctuation check before submitting. Do all this and people may actually read your posts and even start to take what you say seriously. If you write like an idiot people will assume your thoughts are those of an idiot. Just a few tips the ranters might like to follow. . .less by Sad days on May 13 2009, 14:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Please read this article from last year Can we stop seeing everything a white person says as racist! I am black and do not see what part of this statement is racist. And if you read the whole statement in context! Yes I am surprised by the fact that there are so many white people in . .more the WC cabinet! And I will be critical if and when they do act wrongly! People should be selected on merit not on sentiment! And I expect them to perform! http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/grantwalliser/2008/01/30/some-black-and-white-truths/ . .less by Mliqi on May 13 2009, 14:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

This should be a challenge to all black MEC's All black MECs should give it their all and not be about enriching themselves only! They should prove that they are as good and have the interest of the people at heart. They should understand that if you do your job well the money come! by Mliqi on May 13 2009, 14:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Sensationalising I read the statement and I don't find any insults. I don't understand why the ANC is worked up on it, honestly. The ANC must focus on their business of running the Country, and not reduce themselves to this nonsense. We cant allow ourselves to be consumed . .more by this. ANC won, lets lead by example, and focus on our main business. . .less by Pat on May 13 2009, 14:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Au contraire Domza Zille is probably one of the most talented leaders in power in SA today. Even in the global arena she shines out as one of the best. She has the brains and work ethic of 20 ANC MPs. She got VOTED into her position based on this - there was no "grabbing" . .more involved. She is the perfect leader and we are privileged to have her in the Western Cape and the DA. Now Zuma - that's another issue. Totally unsuited for the job of running the nation. No discerning leadership qualities. Totally out of his depth. Dodgy morals. Our only hope is that the people he has selected as ministers are able to do the work for him. Sadly, instead of the ANC attempting to raise themselves to Zille's level of excellence, they obviously seem to be adopting a plan of trying to knock her down to their level. There's nothing the fat cat ANC male honchos hate more than a smart chick making them all look stupid by comparison. . .less by Sad Days on May 13 2009, 14:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

You need help! Talk to someone, seriously. You see things! Do something before it's too late. by @Capetonian on May 13 2009, 14:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

That's a racist comment Pops "white people are generally racist". YOU are being racist. You are making an assumption of people based on their skin colour alone. Its called racism. If that is how you think then YOU are still practising apartheid in your head. Just like the ANC still . .more continue to use race discrimination in their policies. The DA, on the other hand, judge people on merit. The pigmentation of the applicant's face is irrelevant. That's why they elect people on TALENT and not on race. If you think race is a better way to determine the suitability of job applicants then you would have loved apartheid. . .less by Sad Days on May 13 2009, 15:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Pops No doubt you're going to make WC ungovernable, single-handed. Individually, you guys are gutless. by Reitz on May 13 2009, 15:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Sad Days It might be a mixture of Bantu Education, different cultures and values. by Bantu Educated on May 13 2009, 15:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

BRAVA, HELEN! The ANC belkieves in one-party rule. Zuma and other leaders have not been satisfied with large majorities, they want 100% majorities. Zuma appointed unashamed one-party zealots to the two sensitive education ministries. His . .more 'conciliatory' group-hug at his inaugurations was a honey trap - and the IFP and Freedom Front PLus have already walked raight into it. Clearly Zuma wants an opposition that is either utterly powerless, or simply another Alliance satellite. He has difficulty understanding the concept of a multiparty democracy. Like the "liberation generation" leaders who imposed one-party rule on most African countries, and ruined the continent, he believes in democracy withing one party - as in the Soviet Union. Helen Zille courageously and brutally broke the spell. It had to be done, and done quickly, because other parties and the media were all living a dream. As for her comments on Zuma's irresponsible sexual behaviour, it was based on known facts, and it reminds intelligent voters that this fellow is not fit to rule. Behind the chameleon charm lurks an extremely dangerous man.. . .less by Sagmoedige Neelsie on May 13 2009, 21:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

One more thing ... Zuma is not my president, and will not be my president until he lives up to his oath of office, and presents himself at court to prove his innocence on the grave charges against him. It seems that he did not irespect his oath of office as deputy . .more president. Is Mr Zuma guilty of perjury? I'm merely asking. Is Zuma guilty of dangerous promiscuity? We know the answer. He and his allies had better stay well clear of the Western Cape if they want to cause trouble. This is a province of people who are fed-up with 15 years of ANC misrule. UIf you try to make the province ungovernable, you must be willing to face the consequences. In the Western Cape there is no sympahy for lawlessness, and COSATU is a broken reed. You are not my president, Jacob. . .less by Sagmoedige Neelsie on May 13 2009, 21:37 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Good Zille Zille you fear no-one girl. Tell them, Tell them sister. They are too noisy. They back Zuma even on ridiculous acts. When you tell the truth they bark, when they are to tell the truth they jump around and make all funny tricks to cover up. Malema YOU . .more NANDOS you talk like a person who fell from a plane flying 9 000 000 km away from Earth. How can ANC my ex-party keep a person like you. I left ANC because of you and many ....... Zille KUBO, KUBO, KUBO, KUBO. they are feeling the pain. By Me . .less by Nipo on May 13 2009, 22:24 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zille Helen, you ARE correct in your statement BUT the ordinary Black man in the street does not understand and you have allowed the ANC to create an enormous amount of hate over what you said. I can feel this at work. Deep and terrible resentment towards . .more Whites is coming out. Let them scr*w themselves to death! They will always twist your words. They hate the DA for winning the Western Cape. . .less by js on May 14 2009, 11:05 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

You go, Helen Fifteen years into democracy, affirmative action and quotas have certainly not advanced our cause. I have long contended that there are better ways to deal with affirmative action strategies. The serious lack of service delivery demands that the best . .more people for the job be appointed. We cannot apply tokenism when so much is at stake. The dismal performance of government to date and the problems highlighted in the appointments in the Western Cape only goes to show that we still have a long way to go on this issue. Perhaps the time has come to debate the issue. . .less by Waxed on May 16 2009, 08:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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