A “DISGUSTED” and “pained” Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has written an open letter to teachers’ union Sadtu and labour federation Cosatu demanding an apology for the display of panties purported to be hers during last week’s march in Pretoria.
The underwear display has caused tension within the tripartite alliance, with the ANC Women’s League hitting out at the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and threatening legal action.
In her emotion-charged letter, Motshekga expressed her “profound revulsion about some of the nauseating displays during the protest action”.
The letter is the minister’s reaction to a photograph of large panties stretched on a piece of wire.
The garment hoisted at the Union Buildings was inscribed “Puluma ya Angie” (Angie’s panties).
“The deplorable display of the woman’s underwear has a deeper meaning – it illuminates the prejudices, beliefs and understanding of some men that women cannot be fully human.
“Hence society has every right to poke fun at women in very denigrating ways,” the minister laments in the letter.
Motshekga says she was pained that Cosatu and Sadtu had shown total disregard of the “brave actions of noble men and women who fought against patriarchy”.
The minister further said that considering the scourge of gender- based violence in the country, Sadtu and Cosatu had crossed the line and should apologise.
But Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said they had nothing to apologise for, saying that to do so would be taking responsibility for an individual’s action.
“We did not ask that person to go buy panties and write her name. Sadtu had official posters and none were insulting. We can’t apologise for the wrong of an individual,” he said.
However, he slammed the panties display, saying Motshekga had every right to be angry.
Sadtu deputy general secretary Nkosana Dolopi said the union leadership would discuss Motshekga’s demand for an apology but said issues raised in that protest should receive the same attention the panties received.
Dolopi added that they issued a statement on Friday distancing themselves from the panties.
Motshekga also addressed the letter to the Commission for Gender Equality.
The Limpopo ANC Women’s League secretary said they would approach the Equality Court over the humiliation caused to the minister.
Provincial secretary Maleke Mokganyetsi, who described Sadtu as “counter-revolutionary“, said they were in meetings: “We are seeking legal counsel on how to take the matter forward and will approach the court this week.”
ANCWL national spokeswoman Troy Martens said: “A decision has not yet been made at national level, but we do stand behind the province, should the matter go to court.” — Additional reporting by Poppy Louw
Angie demands apology after underwear protest
The underwear display has caused tension within the tripartite alliance, with the ANC Women’s League hitting out at the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and threatening legal action.
In her emotion-charged letter, Motshekga expressed her “profound revulsion about some of the nauseating displays during the protest action”.
The letter is the minister’s reaction to a photograph of large panties stretched on a piece of wire.
The garment hoisted at the Union Buildings was inscribed “Puluma ya Angie” (Angie’s panties).
“The deplorable display of the woman’s underwear has a deeper meaning – it illuminates the prejudices, beliefs and understanding of some men that women cannot be fully human.
“Hence society has every right to poke fun at women in very denigrating ways,” the minister laments in the letter.
Motshekga says she was pained that Cosatu and Sadtu had shown total disregard of the “brave actions of noble men and women who fought against patriarchy”.
The minister further said that considering the scourge of gender- based violence in the country, Sadtu and Cosatu had crossed the line and should apologise.
But Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said they had nothing to apologise for, saying that to do so would be taking responsibility for an individual’s action.
“We did not ask that person to go buy panties and write her name. Sadtu had official posters and none were insulting. We can’t apologise for the wrong of an individual,” he said.
However, he slammed the panties display, saying Motshekga had every right to be angry.
Sadtu deputy general secretary Nkosana Dolopi said the union leadership would discuss Motshekga’s demand for an apology but said issues raised in that protest should receive the same attention the panties received.
Dolopi added that they issued a statement on Friday distancing themselves from the panties.
Motshekga also addressed the letter to the Commission for Gender Equality.
The Limpopo ANC Women’s League secretary said they would approach the Equality Court over the humiliation caused to the minister.
Provincial secretary Maleke Mokganyetsi, who described Sadtu as “counter-revolutionary“, said they were in meetings: “We are seeking legal counsel on how to take the matter forward and will approach the court this week.”
ANCWL national spokeswoman Troy Martens said: “A decision has not yet been made at national level, but we do stand behind the province, should the matter go to court.” — Additional reporting by Poppy Louw
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