President Jacob Zuma deserves more respect from people because he is the leader of our country, the ANC Women's League said ahead of a march to the Union Buildings on Friday.
"Zuma is the face of the ANC and our country. He needs respect," ANCWL president Bathabile Dlamini said.
"If people can start with the president, it means on the ground they are going to bully everyone."
Several hundred members gathered in Pretoria for the march. It began earlier in the morning, but had to be delayed as they were waiting for a bus with more marchers.
The league said at the weekend it was planning to march to the Union Buildings on Friday to defend the honour of the president, especially in light of a recent painting by Ayanda Mabulu, which depicts a naked Zuma receiving oral sex.
"We condemn the denigration of the image of President Zuma by so-called artists. For example, recently the portrayal of the president's genitals in the mouth of a woman. The country was silent and even failed to condemn the imagery of violence against women," it said in a statement at the time.
"Women reaffirm the leadership of President Zuma as the champion of the revolution. The leadership of the movement leading the national democratic revolution is represented by the face of its president, therefore, by virtue of this fact he is the human face of our revolution.
"The ANCWL, therefore, regards any attack on the president as an attack on the revolution and the organisation - the ANC."
The theme of the march was "women defending the national democratic revolution".
Earlier on Friday the members began gathering at Sammy Marks square. Some arrived on motorcycles. This arrival led to the women, almost all wearing items of clothing with ANC branding to ulutate, blow whistles and sing.
"Zuma, I love you so much," they sang.
Zuma is the face of SA, respect him: ANCWL
"Zuma is the face of the ANC and our country. He needs respect," ANCWL president Bathabile Dlamini said.
"If people can start with the president, it means on the ground they are going to bully everyone."
Several hundred members gathered in Pretoria for the march. It began earlier in the morning, but had to be delayed as they were waiting for a bus with more marchers.
The league said at the weekend it was planning to march to the Union Buildings on Friday to defend the honour of the president, especially in light of a recent painting by Ayanda Mabulu, which depicts a naked Zuma receiving oral sex.
"We condemn the denigration of the image of President Zuma by so-called artists. For example, recently the portrayal of the president's genitals in the mouth of a woman. The country was silent and even failed to condemn the imagery of violence against women," it said in a statement at the time.
"Women reaffirm the leadership of President Zuma as the champion of the revolution. The leadership of the movement leading the national democratic revolution is represented by the face of its president, therefore, by virtue of this fact he is the human face of our revolution.
"The ANCWL, therefore, regards any attack on the president as an attack on the revolution and the organisation - the ANC."
The theme of the march was "women defending the national democratic revolution".
Earlier on Friday the members began gathering at Sammy Marks square. Some arrived on motorcycles. This arrival led to the women, almost all wearing items of clothing with ANC branding to ulutate, blow whistles and sing.
"Zuma, I love you so much," they sang.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos