Johannesburg - The issue of a woman president was not discussed at the ANC Women's League national policy conference, league president Angie Motshekga said on Monday.
“The women at the conference chose not to talk about it. No decision was made,” Motshekga told reporters in Johannesburg following the ANCWL's policy conference held over the weekend.
Despite numerous questions from the media on the issue, the league did not have any answers as it was not discussed, she said.
“The issue of a woman president cannot be artificially imposed.”
The discussion of a woman president would come from inside the party and would not be based on media queries.
“Issues must arise internally and not from outside factors. The structure itself must initiate the process,” Motshekga said.
This was echoed by ANCWL treasurer general Hlengiwe Mkize, who said it was “inappropriate to discuss the issue of a woman president at a policy conference”.
“The conference was meant to share a common framework amongst women,” Mkize told reporters on Monday.
She said issues facing woman such as health, education, the economy, as well as gender-based violence, were discussed at the conference.
The conference was held between Friday and Sunday in Johannesburg.
It took place ahead of the ANCWL's national elective conference in April, 2015, and the ANC's national general council, also to be held in 2015. - Sapa