ANC directs Mantashe to apologise for sex for jobs comments

South African ruling party leader Gwede Mantashe has apologized for controversial remarks linking sexual favors to job applications, according to party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. Mbalula declared the matter closed on Thursday, stating that national officials and the National Working Committee had reviewed the incident and directed the national chairperson to offer a sincere apology. The intervention followed intense pressure from the ANC Women’s League, which demanded both a public apology and disciplinary proceedings against Mantashe for using explicit language during a media interaction. The dispute originated over the weekend when Mantashe was campaigning in the North West province. A journalist from Newzroom Afrika questioned him regarding allegations that an unnamed councillor in a mining town was demanding sexual acts from women seeking employment. In a video that subsequently spread across social media platforms, Mantashe utilized graphic terminology to describe the alleged conduct. He asserted that such behavior constituted individual misconduct rather than an organizational failure of the party. He explicitly stated that he did not want to be associated with requests for specific body parts, noting that the individual had sought such favors from someone he met. He further argued that elected officials who exploit their positions for sexual relationships are acting improperly and must be held personally accountable. The ANC Women’s League reacted swiftly to the footage. Its secretary-general, Nokuthula Nqaba, characterized the comments as gratuitously improper and uncouth. She labeled the behavior unbecoming of a senior party official and a government minister. The league insisted that Mantashe’s status imposed a heightened duty to uphold principles of respect, dignity, and non-sexism. They rejected any justification based on his age or linguistic intent, urging the party leadership to impose formal sanctions. Mantashe addressed the backlash in an interview with the SABC on Wednesday. While confirming he had offered an apology, he expressed confusion over the specific offense committed. He suggested that if the issue lay in his lack of euphemism, he was willing to apologize for that aspect. Mantashe defended his word choice by citing consultations with Xhosa linguists who supported his interpretation. He maintained that his intended message was a condemnation of men who exploit women, arguing that the phrasing targeted male misconduct within society rather than defending abusive practices. He emphasized that sexual harassment should be treated as personal wrongdoing subject to consequences, distinct from institutional blame. The party issued a formal statement late Thursday evening, describing the initial remarks as unfortunate. Following deliberations among national officials and the working committee, the statement confirmed that Mantashe was directed to apologize sincerely. The document noted that the matter was now considered concluded. The party reaffirmed its recognition that unequal gender and power dynamics continue to expose women to sexual exploitation, including demands for favors in exchange for employment. It defined such conduct as a grave abuse of power that must be eradicated. The statement highlighted that party leaders bear a heightened responsibility to confront discrimination, advance gender equality, and ensure access to opportunities is never contingent on sexual compliance. Fikile Mbalula elaborated on the resolution during the party’s reaction session to the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. He advised that the focus should shift away from debating the linguistic nuances of the comments. Instead, he stressed the necessity for political leaders to communicate in ways that are appropriate and comprehensible to the general public. Mbalula acknowledged that while an individual may believe their remarks are justified, the delivery can still cause widespread offense. He compared the situation to speaking roughly, noting that even correct sentiments may fail to land effectively in society. Despite the controversy, Mbalula affirmed the party’s continued support for Mantashe as a senior leader. He stated that the organization values its national chairperson highly and recognizes his tendency to speak directly. Mbalula noted that the Women’s League had voiced its objections publicly, but the internal process had resolved the conflict. The party’s stance remains unequivocal in its commitment to building a society where women can live and work free from coercion, abuse, and discrimination. The directive for a sincere apology stands as the final administrative step in addressing the incident.