- The ANC National Working Committee met to discuss remarks Gwede Mantashe made during a TV interview
- The ANC Women's League had called the comments derogatory and demanded a public apology
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the ANC's statement, sharing mixed reactions
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has spent a decade reporting on South Africa's political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG — The African National Congress has instructed its National Chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, to issue a sincere apology following a controversial TV interview in which he used crude language in response to questions.
The ANC's National Officials and National Working Committee convened to deliberate on the matter, with National Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu announcing on 22 October 2026 that Mantashe had been directed to apologise and that the party considered the issue closed thereafter.
What did Mantashe say?
The controversy stems from a Newzroom Afrika interview conducted on 17 October 2026, during which a journalist asked Mantashe about allegations that a municipal councillor in a North West mining town had demanded sexual favours from women seeking employment or assistance.
Mantashe dismissed the matter as having no bearing on the ANC and responded using explicit language, including references to female genitalia in both English and his native language. He reportedly argued that if an elected councillor used their position to sleep with people, it reflected individual misconduct and not party policy or culture.
In its statement, the ANC reiterated its policy position that women deserve respect, dignity, and empowerment, and condemned any form of sexual exploitation, particularly demands for sexual favours in exchange for employment. The party also reminded its leaders of their responsibility to uphold gender equality principles in both conduct and public discourse.
The ANC Women's League reacted sharply to the incident, describing the comments as "disturbing," "derogatory," and "gratuitously improper." The organisation demanded a public apology directed at both the journalist and the broader public, as well as formal internal disciplinary proceedings. The ANCWL explicitly rejected any argument that Mantashe's age or seniority offered him licence to use such language.
Mantashe previously said that he wasn't sure what he was expected to apologise for.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were divided on whether the remarks warranted the response they received.
Ntuthuko Chili wrote:
"The linguistics says nothing wrong - according to Uncle."
Wisan JW Justine cautioned:
"Damage already done. You cannot undo it unfortunately."
Phumlani Ntombela argued:
"Nothing wrong with Gwede's response. It's just that it's a native language that they don't want to recognise…No need for this apology statement."
@Teme54896057 was more blunt:
"If this is not a Micky Mouse party, then I don't know."
IamMasixole Kafile asked:
"What was so wrong about what Gwede said? What was offensive about it?"
Mantashe pushes back against Collen Malatji's comments
Briefly News also reported that Mantashe pushed back against ANC Youth League leader Collen Malatji's comments.
Malatji recently criticised Mantashe's departure from the COSATU conference, saying old people were killing the ANC.
Mantashe argued that Malatji lacks the experience to understand the established customs of the tripartite alliance.
Source: Briefly News