Mr Speaker, the ANC continues to lead the struggle for gender empowerment and equality. Today we are the only party that prides itself on having 50% female representation in both Houses and in cabinet. [Applause.] This achievement has come about as a result of a protracted struggle, which saw many women actively participating in the liberation of this country.
This being Women's Month in South Africa, we want to pay special tribute at this Joint Sitting to the first president of the ANC Women's League, Mama Charlotte Maxeke, who was also the first woman university graduate in South Africa, and to other courageous women of her generation. She was a woman who was extraordinarily intelligent and assertive, with a clear sense of patriotism and a strong commitment to the liberation of African people, women in particular. Other stalwart activists that we salute today include Mama Lilian Ngoyi, Gertrude Shope, Ida Mntwana, Helen Joseph, Dorothy Nyembe, Sophie de Bruyn, Ray Alexander, Rahima Moosa - the list is endless.
Personally and on behalf of my generation, I want to take this opportunity to thank the hon member of this National Assembly, Mama Bertha Gxowa, for her role in and contribution to the 1956 Women's March to the Union Buildings against repressive pass laws, and her contribution up until today. [Applause.] Thank you, Mama, for still going strong and being committed to this revolution, and we are happy that you have lived long enough to see freedom in our lifetime.
We will also not forget Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela ... [Applause.] ... the late Albertina Sisulu, Adelaide Tambo, and many unsung heroines of the struggle.
Our generation is faced, equally, with many gender and related struggles ahead, as past generations have alluded to. Ours is to intensify the struggle for the total liberation of domestic workers, rape victims, rural women and other vulnerable groups. This can only be achieved when women work as a collective towards achieving these noble goals. Working together we can do more. [Applause.]
Those of us in the ANC will continue to strengthen the Women's League and progressive civil society groups to ensure the hegemony of the liberation of women from all forms of oppression, be it patriarchy, discrimination, abuse, or overdomination by either gender. In particular, we will intensify the struggle against disease, poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment.
This past week we saw the worst form of discrimination by international sporting bodies, which we condemn unequivocally as South African people. We add our voices as women in Parliament and say, "Hands off Caster Semenya! Hands off!" [Applause.] Such a barbaric act is utterly distasteful, leads to anger and represents reversals of the gains made by women so far.
Similarly, we firmly denounce the recent killing of a female school principal in the Western Cape by criminals, and call upon our security cluster to ensure that the perpetrators are speedily brought to book.
Madam Zille is indeed a disappointment. [Applause.] How dare she consider an all-male cabinet? She is an oppressor who is against the women's struggle. Down with Zille, down! [Applause.] Women of the Western Cape have been insulted and we must assist them in waging a struggle against this monster woman. [Interjections.] We will not rest until Zille listens to the voices of the women of this province. [Interjections.] The Western Cape is not a republic; rather it is a province of South Africa, and you shall not do as you wish in this country. [Interjections.] [Applause.] You are equally subject to the Constitution and other laws as the rest of our provinces. Malibongwe! [Praise!] [Applause.] [Interjections.]