Angie has fit over panties

A "Disgusted" and "pained" Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga has penned an open letter to the SA Democratic Teachers' Union and Cosatu, demanding an apology after a large pair of panties said to be hers was brandished during last week's march in Pretoria.

The ANC Women's League threatened legal action over the display.

In the letter, Motshekga expressed her "profound revulsion about some of the nauseating displays during the protest action".

The garment hoisted at the Union Buildings was inscribed "Puluma ya Angie" (Angie's panties) .

"The deplorable display of the woman's underwear has a deeper meaning - it illuminates the prejudices, beliefs and understanding of some men, and some women, that women cannot be fully human. Hence society has every right to poke fun at women in very denigrating ways," the minister wrote.

Motshekga said she was pained by the disregard of the "brave actions of noble men and women who fought against patriarchy".

"Not only do they owe an apology to me personally but to the rest of South African women," she wrote.

But Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said it had nothing to apologise for.

"We did not ask that person to go buy panties and write her name. Sadtu had official posters and none were insulting. We can't apologise for the wrong of an individual," he said.

But he agreed that the panties had vulgarised the protest.

Sadtu deputy general secretary Nkosana Dolopi said the panties debate was now overshadowing the many serious problems in Motshekga's department.

Dolopi said that the union had issued a statement on Friday distancing it from the panties display.

Limpopo ANC Women's League secretary Maleke Mokganyetsi described the union as "counter-revolutionary".

"We are seeking legal counsel on how to take the matter forward and will approach the [Equality Court] this week."

National women's league spokesman Troy Martens said: "A decision has not yet been made at national level but we stand behind the province ." - Additional reporting by Poppy Louw