ALLEGED "SEXIST" REMARKS AGAINST DA'S MAZIBUKO
13 June 2013
The Office of the ANC Chief Whip has noted the media statement by the Deputy Chief Whip of the DA, regarding her intention to write to ANC Chief Whip Dr Motshekga to complain about what she describes as "sexists and chauvinistic" attacks in the House against DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko by ANC MPs Buti Manamela and John Jeffery. Comrade Jeffery is alleged to have said "...while the Hon Mazibuko may be a person of substantial weight, her stature is questionable". Manamela is alleged to have questioned her sense of fashion during yesterday's debate.
We are aware that a point of order has been recorded against Comrade Jeffery's remark and the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly is scheduled to rule on whether it was parliamentary or not.
We understand from Jeffery's' explanation that although his reference to Mazibuko during the debate on the Parliament budget vote was a pun, it had more to do with her influence and power associated with the position she holds than her physical weight. Jeffery has carefully reflected on the ambiguity of the statement and accepts that they it may have been understood to refer to Mazibuko's physical outlook.
In this regard, he will unconditionally withdraw the statement when the presiding officer gives him an opportunity to do so in the House and apologise to Mazibuko. We commend him for this voluntary decision. Having dedicated his life to the struggle for non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa, Jeffery finds the claim that his remarks were intended to be sexist and chauvinistic insulting and mischievous. The same pun could have been directed at even a male in similar position as Mazibuko.