Half of the African National Congress' MPs and other public representatives are to be women after the 2009 elections, President Thabo Mbeki has promised.
The "emancipation of women is central to social transformation", he told an ANC Youth League (ANCYL) congress at the Nasrec Expo Centre near Johannesburg on Thursday.
At the recent Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, tribute had been paid to South Africa's efforts to overcome sexism, Mbeki said.
"It will be your responsibility to carry out this commitment," he told the thousands of youths attending the congress.
| 'It will be your responsibility to carry out this commitment' |
Other challenges facing the young were poverty and unemployment, he said. He appealed to the ANCYL to work with the ruling party to eradicate poverty.
"No other ruling party has set itself that task. People talk about poverty alleviation. We talk about poverty eradication."
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Mbeki urged the meeting to mobilise young people to take part in efforts to change South Africa.
"There will be many things that draw the attention of the youth away from the task.
"Wherever we are, in the villages or townships, we must get to a position where the ordinary people must say: we are proud of these young people."
| 'No other ruling party has set itself that task' |
Also at the congress was Bertrand Aristide, whom delegates referred to as "the Haitian president" and who received a standing ovation as he arrived with his wife, Mildred.
Speaking in Zulu, Aristide said Haitians would not give up their hope of restoring democracy and stability in their country.
"We have a responsibility to do our best, peacefully, to restore stability and a democratic order." - Sapa
- This article was originally published on page 6 of Cape Times on August 20, 2004
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