By Themba wa Sepotokele
The new president of the ANC Women's League, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has demanded more representation for women in all spheres of government.
During her first speech as president on Sunday she told delegates it was high time that women's participation was increased - she said the league would demand 50%.
"Women are the majority in most ANC branches," she said. "We are not making unfair demands - women have been loyal supporters of the struggle."
She was evasive, however, when asked whether women were ready to take over the country's presidency: "In the ANC we rally behind our leaders. We believe in rallying behind the president we have.
"It's a tradition we grew up with in the ANC. We have a capable leader."
She reiterated the league's position that it would call for President Mbeki to intervene in the Amina Awal case - that of a Nigerian woman found guilty of adultery under Sharia law and is to be stoned to death.
"We call for the isolation of governments and organisations that, through their laws and actions, perpetuate this suffering," she added.
"I need to reiterate the call by this conference that Amina Awal does not deserve to die at the hands of the self-appointed police of morality in Nigeria.
"Her death at the hands of these people would go against everything we stand for and its consequences will have serious implications for the wellbeing of those close to her, particularly her son."
She also paid tribute to her predecessor, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who was not at the conference.
"Winnie was invited," Mapisa-Nqakula said. "She sent an apology."
She dispelled rumours that there was bad blood between herself and Thandi Modise, the former deputy president who stood in as acting president when Madikizela-Mandela resigned earlier this year.
Mapisa-Nqakula said: "Thandi and I are good comrades. We have been involved in the struggle together and as members of umKhonto we Sizwe. The media, however, has been trying to create some hype about (us) contesting the elections.
"It is everyone's democratic right to contest the elections and branches nominate whoever they want," she said. - Political Reporter.