EFF Statement on the statements attributed to Mr. Jacob Zuma that he would marry a Venda woman

21 December 2013

On Friday, the 20th of December 2013, the Star Newspaper ran an article which quoted current President of the ANC as having said, "When I was in Venda recently I was so impressed to see how people there express respect for other people, A woman would clap her hands and even lie down to show respect. "I was so impressed. If I was not already married to my wives I would go to Venda to look for a woman". The Presidency and the Comical Spin doctors around the President have not distanced President Jacob Zuma from these comments, meaning this is exactly what he said.

These remarks again reveal that the current President is a cultural Chauvinist who thinks of women as people who should be submissive to men, and not treated as equal partners. President Zuma also has proven that what comes to his mind first when he sees women is marriage. How do you explain the reality that out of the so many aspects of the gathering he attended in Vhembe region, the only aspect that remains in President Zuma's mind is possibility of marriage?

This notion is entirely problematic and reinforces many gender stereotypes and gender inequalities practices that are ingrained in South African society. Women should be thought of and treated as equal partners, not some submissive marriage candidates who should always kneel down and lie on the floor for men and their husbands. What attainment of political freedom and establishment of a constitutional order means is that all people are equal irrespective of gender and should be treated with respect.

The people of South Africa should know that what South Africa currently has as its President is a cultural Chauvinist who does not have genuine and real respect for women. As one of the biggest political formations in South Africa which represents the true interests of all South Africans, we as EFF demand an immediate apology from President Zuma for his sexism. We know that he will not apologise, and that the comical Spin doctors around him will claim victory over the minimal gender equality developments, which Mr. Zuma had nothing to do with as a leader.

The most sustainable solution to the crisis South Africa has as President is to vote out narrow Chauvinists from office.

Statement issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, December 21 2013

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