MK Party claims to advocate for gender parity with 1 woman in top leadership

JOHANNESBURG - The Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party says it advocates for gender equality despite its newly appointed top eight leadership comprising just one woman.

On Thursday, the organisation announced the formation of its highest decision-making body, consisting of eight officials and 45 additional members.

While the party is yet to appoint more people to its list of additional officials – it has committed to ensuring women are also represented in the structure.

MK Party deputy Secretary-General Nombuso Mkhizwe, who is the only woman in the organisation’s top eight leadership, says the party is in the process of recruiting experienced and skilled women to the national high command – which is the organisation’s highest decision-making body.

She said the party had adopted a resolution to make sure that at least 50% of its national high command consists of women.

"We are striving to get more women to serve in the national high command. The credibility of those women should possess sound and solid expertise."

She said women in the party would be appointed based on merit, skill and determination.

Nearly 50% of the seats in Parliament are occupied by women – this while positions in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet were distributed equally.