ANC Women's League Distances Itself From Phophi Ramathuba's 'Ben 10' Remarks, Plans Engagement
"I know ourselves as women. I'm also a woman. The day I was appointed MEC, one of my brothers warned me about this. People will suddenly tell you how beautiful you are," she said.
The ANC Women's League (ANCWL) has distanced itself from comments made by Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba linking the downfall of women in leadership to romantic relationships with younger men, commonly referred to as "Ben 10s".
The league said it will engage Ramathuba over the remarks after members discussed the issue during a recent two-day National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
ANC Women's League Rejects Phophi Ramathuba's 'Ben 10' Remarks
Ramathuba made the comments earlier this month while handing over a newly built house to the family of conjoined twins in Lulekani, outside Phalaborwa, Limpopo.
During her address, she spoke about the challenges faced by women in positions of authority and warned against allowing younger romantic partners to influence leadership decisions.
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"I wish that when we are done, we can even look at registering this house in the names of all the children and not the mother," she said.
Ramathuba said women in leadership often become targets for people seeking access to influence and resources.
"I know ourselves as women. I'm also a woman. The day I was appointed MEC, one of my brothers warned me about this. People will suddenly tell you how beautiful you are," she said.
She added that some men use compliments as a way to gain influence over women in positions of power.
"You will even think, 'I have not done any plastic surgery. I'm still Phophi.' They will say you are the most beautiful woman. That's men when they want to run the budget of the Department of Health," she said.
Phophi Ramathuba Says Women Must Guard Against Outside Influence
Ramathuba, who served as Limpopo MEC for Health from 2015 to 2024 before becoming the province's first female premier in June 2024, said she had personally experienced attempts to influence her decisions.
"So, knowing me, that's why I'm still here. It's not easy. Don't lie to me," she said.
She urged women leaders to ensure their positions were not influenced by personal relationships.
"If you want to grow up the ladder, people must know you and your work. The power is yours. We are not giving it to somebody who does not even know what door-to-door campaigning is.
"We campaign door to door, but when we give you power, you give it to somebody else. You sit there and call the HOD and say a tender must go to a particular person. No nonsense. I'm not going to allow that. We should stop this," she said.
Ramathuba also argued that relationships with younger partners had contributed to the downfall of some women in politics.
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"Especially us women in politics, I felt I must say this and take it off my chest. The downfall of us women - look at all the women. Why are we removed? Some of us are very old because of Ben 10s. That's what is happening. Am I lying? I'm not."
"It is our downfall. You are given power and then somebody who just arrived, somebody you saw growing up, changes you."
ANC Women's League To Meet Ramathuba Over Controversial Comments
The comments generated widespread debate on social media and within the ANC Women's League.
In a statement issued on 28 July, the ANCWL said it does not support Ramathuba's remarks and confirmed the matter was discussed during its NEC meeting.
"The NEC takes exception to public statements made by the ANC chairperson of Limpopo, who is also a member in good standing of the ANC Women's League, on her remarks on women in romantic relationships with younger partners or 'Ben 10s'," the statement said.
ANCWL Secretary-General Nokuthula Ngaba said the organisation believes the comments could have negative consequences for the league and women in leadership.
"The remarks by Cde Phophi Ramathuba are deemed inappropriate and the NEC will reach out to her and have an engagement, as these comments might be detrimental to the unity of the organisation and drive a narrative about women in leadership," Ngaba said.
The ANC Women's League has not indicated when its engagement with Ramathuba will take place.
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