ANC Women’s League Advocates for the First Female President of SA, Mzansi Shares Amusing Reactions

• The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) National Executive Committee (NEC) wants a female president
• The ANCWL wants more women to emulate its former stalwart, Gertrude Shope, who passed away at the age of 99
• South Africans shared their thoughts on the ANCWL's calls, joking about who they would appoint as a candidate

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG - Boitumelo Moiloa believes the time is now for a female president.

The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) National Executive Committee (NEC) member said the league was actively advocating for a female president.

Moiloa made the comments at a memorial lecture in honour of ANC stalwart Gertrude Shope, in Akasia, Pretoria. The lecture was held on Sunday, 24 August 2025, nine days after Shope would have turned 100.

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The former President of the ANCWL died on 22 May 2025, at the age of 99. She turned 99 in May 2024.

ANCWL wants women to have more power

Speaking at the memorial lecture, which paid tribute to her, Moiloa said that the search for a female leader would not be limited to the league itself but would consider women across South Africa.

ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane also called for women to be given more power, saying that women in the party must be allowed to lead metropolitan municipalities. She argued that they shouldn’t only be seen as Speakers, but as Mayors too.

“To make women like Ma Shope in defending and speaking truth to power within the ANC. To also decide that you can lead the ANC yourselves. To decide that we shall have mayors and not speakers only in the coming local government elections. To commit that metropolitan municipalities are not a domain of men. Le rona re batho (We are also people), she said.”

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Who was Gertrude Shope?

Born in Johannesburg, but raised and educated in Zimbabwe, Shope was an ANC member who was a teacher before she joined the party at 29. After leaving teaching, she began to work with training women in crafts and with youth rehabilitation, before she was elected Chairperson of the Central Western Jabavu Branch of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW).

She also spent a lot of time in exile as a representative of the ANC before becoming a member of the NEC. In 1994, she also became a member of the first Government of National Unity (GNU).

How did South African’s react?

Social media users were amused by the calls, with some questioning who would be the woman president. Others joked that the ANC would lose more votes if that happened.

Six Guns Magidi Khuliso joked:

“😆She's going to find the ANC at 20%.”

Khosa Katekani Milton said:

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“😂Maybe it will be Madam Angie Motshekga. It will take the ANC to 15%.”

Phumelelo Mavundla asked:

“Since when? You chose Ramaphosa over Nkosazana.”

Ndlovu Ndlovu stated:

“As if that is going to change anything. Hebanna.”

Mthokozisi Mtho joked:

“Bathabile Dlamini for president🤣.”

Sbu Ka Zulu added:

“President of the ANC, right😂. Because never again will this country have a state President from that party.”

Spark Lemon asked:

“Which granny will they appoint?”

Kgosi Eugene Swele joked:

“So, the grannies want to finish SA completely😂.”

Bra Lucaz asked:

“President with 13%? Ayi, the mighty ship has sunk.”

Mondli Msaweze Ngubane said:

“They had a chance to support Mlambo Ngcuka, but they chose Zuma. They had a chance for Dlamini-Zuma, but chose Cyril.”

ANC Women's League wants transformation

Briefly News reported that the ANCWL called for transformation in positions of power.

It said that the party has not done enough to make sure women are deployed to positions of power.

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South Africans disputed her statements and claimed that women in power are no better than men.

Source: Briefly News