Issued by: Government Communications
12 April 2001
We, female Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers, have decided to take this extraordinary step to make our views known on a tendency among some male journalists and commentators that is assuming worrisome proportions.
This entails the targeting of people in public office with the aim of demeaning their stature. The latest in these developments is the comment by Max du Preez aimed at the person of President Thabo Mbeki and the highest office in our land.
Our concern is heightened further by the fact that the unwarranted attacks, innuendo and insults are at the same time directed at women who occupy positions of responsibility in both the public and private sectors. Among the assumptions feeding the rumour-mill is the chauvinistic attitude that female citizens who occupy these posts do so as a result of favours extended to men in senior positions.
This is tantamount to accusations of corruption, with terrible consequences for the integrity of women and men in positions of responsibility, and indeed for their family lives. More critically, it has the effect of undermining the continuing struggle of South African women and society as a whole to ensure that gender equity becomes the norm in all areas of life.
We do acknowledge that within our society and the profession of journalism there will be wayward individuals who court fame by rubbishing those they envy or despise. But it is of serious concern to us that some of these individuals exploit the freedoms that were achieved at great cost - to the men and women who are today the objects of their ridicule - for purposes of subverting confidence in the institutions of our democracy.
Like all citizens, public office-bearers deserve their privacy and a modicum of respect for their dignity. In instances where justifiable issues of public interest need to be aired, wild rumours and allegations will not do. For, we will be within our rights seriously to pose the question: whose political agenda is being pursued and for what purpose!
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS) For further enquiries, contact: Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi 082-497-3220