KZN ANCYL secretary rebuked by party over ‘little girl’ insult to NFP leader

26 May 2016 - 14:27 By Matthew Savides

Thanduxolo Sabelo‚ the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League secretary in KwaZulu-Natal‚ has been hauled over the coals by his own party for an unprovoked attack on deputy science and technology minister Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi‚ who is also leader of the National Freedom Party (NFP).The once cosy relationship between the NFP and the ANC has been on the rocks in recent months‚ and there is growing tension between the two.On Monday‚ reacting to the NFP’s criticism of the ANC’s alleged forcing out of KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu – who resigned and has since been replaced by Willies Mchunu – Sabelo referred to kaMagwaza-Msibi as “intombazane”‚ which translates as “little girl”.The reference - which painted kaMagwaza-Msibi as politically insignificant‚ and which is also considered derogatory when used by a younger man towards an older‚ married woman - raised the ire of her party’s youth league‚ which said: “These utterances are quite belittling of the president of the NFP‚ and this is way below the belt and the cheapest form of politicking which belongs in the gutter.“We will never be apologetic in defence of [kaMagwaza-Msibi] from disingenuous‚ spiteful and pathetic toddlers of his calibre and‚ therefore‚ we warn Sabelo to refrain from such nonsensical and absurd politicking‚” said NFP Youth Movement’s Sboniso Majola.But on Thursday morning‚ KZN ANC spokesman Mdumiseni Ntuli called Sabelo to order over his comment‚ prompting the latter to apologise.“First and foremost‚ it is regrettable that such a statement was uttered against a mother and leader of the NFP. The ANC has met with the ANCYL provincial secretary and reprimanded him for having made a statement that is not befitting of our members‚ and leaders in particular‚” said Ntuli.“The ANC wishes to express its sincere apology to the NFP leader and her party membership for the offence occasioned by and a result of the statement made by the ANCYL provincial secretary.The ANC continues to place a high premium on the imperatives the relationship between it and the NFP is founded upon. Under no circumstances will we ever permit that ANC leaders and its leagues will refer to the NFP and its leadership in an undignified manner‚” said Ntuli.Sabelo said: "I really apologise. If I can get the opportunity to speak to her personally‚ I will humble myself in front of her. I will bring myself as a child and a son to mama kaMagwaza-Msibi and assure her it was not meant as disrespect or as an insult to her as a mother or as leader of the NFP. It was unintentional and a slip of the tongue. I'm ashamed of what I said. I was not brought up in that manner‚ to insult as elder. I unreservedly apologise."However‚ the NFP’s Majola said the party had not yet received the apology.“This is the first I’m hearing of it‚” he said when contacted by TMG Digital on Thursday. - TMG Digital/Durban Bureau..

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