THE newly elected ANC Women’s League general Meokgo Matuba says she was humbled by the trust put in her by the women of South Africa and has promised to do her best in representing their interests.

Matuba was one of the new leaders elected at the ANCWL’s recent congress.

The Kanana-born politicians had to relinquish her post of league secretary in the North West as she moves to Luthuli House in Johannesburg.

“The election is not about me, it is about people who have said they want me to change the lives of women in SA and that is what I intend to do for the duration of my tenure,” she said.

Matuba has served in different capacities within the ruling party and government.

“I started as a provincial administrator where I served the party for 10 years. I then moved to government as personal assistant to former premier, Edna Molewa. I was deployed to various municipalities including Ventersdorp, and Greater Taung where I held various positions.

“In party politics, I have held several positions in the ANC and the league at regional and provincial levels but I became the provincial league secretary in 2013, a position I have to leave now.”

Matuba said her immediate task was to make sure she lead in rebuilding ANCWL’s structures across SA and championed women’s rights.

“There is an additional task to develop, empower and emancipate women in women in our communities and society irrespective of their political affiliation, race of creed. I want people to understand that ANCWL is not a league for the elite but for every woman in South Africa, Africa and the world,” she said.

Matuba holds an honours degree in management and she said experience had taught her what to expect when leading a mass-based organisation.

The ANC in North West congratulated Matuba and the ANCWL leadership collective, wishing them well in their mandate.

Provincial ANC secretary Dakota Legoete said: “The ruling party would also like to congratulate the newly elected top five of the Women’s League led by comrade Bathabile Dlamini.

“We also commend comrade Angie Motshekga who has led this movement with diligence despite the administrative turbulence of the past seven years making it difficult for the conference to be held on time.”

Legoete said the North West was proud to have Matuba in such a high position to have Matuba in such a high position in the party. “We are convinced the new leadership will lead women in the celebration of National Women’s Day as they will be treading in the footsteps of those who marched against the apartheid pass laws when it was easier said than done,”
(Courtesy of The NewAge newspaper)