{
  "id": 16151818,
  "title": "ANC carries ‘heightened responsibility’, says party as it publicly scolds Mantashe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/anc-carries-heightened-responsibility-says-party-as-it-publicly",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T04:50:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/anc-heightened-responsibility-mantashe/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The African National Congress (ANC) has admonished its leaders to maintain dignity when representing the party publicly. This follows remarks made by national chairperson Gwede Mantashe, which have drawn criticism from his own party members. Mantashe's comments about women being exploited for positions in the ANC, including his reaction, have sparked controversy. The ANC, committed to equality and women's empowerment, stresses that leaders must uphold these principles in their public engagements. \"Leaders of the ANC carry a heightened responsibility to uphold these principles through their words and actions, confront discrimination, and advance gender equality,\" the ANC said. Mantashe had crudely referenced female genitalia in an interview, stating that it was not an ANC issue but rather a matter of individual morality. He conceded on Wednesday to apologize but remained defiant, demanding clarity on the specific reason for his apology. The ANC directs Mantashe to apologize for his remarks, emphasizing that women should be treated with respect and that male leaders should not abuse power imbalances. Such conduct, the ANC asserts, constitutes a grave abuse of power and must be eliminated from society.",
  "summary": "The ANC stated that leaders were to uphold the party's principles whenever conducting official business in public.",
  "key_points": [
    "ANC publicly scolds Gwede Mantashe for derogatory remarks about women",
    "Party emphasizes leaders' responsibility to uphold equality and women's empowerment",
    "Mantashe apologizes but remains defiant, demanding clarification on apology reason"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}