Newly elected ANC Youth League president Collen Maine on Thursday hit below the belt at a female poet, saying "if her dirty panties are loose she must not take that it is true for the women in the ANC".

"Perhaps this greasy panty (sic) called Ntsiki [Mazwai] needs to be reminded that historically [the] ANC has been on the forefront of the struggle to liberate women," Maine told guests at the league's 71st birthday celebration in Mbombela on Thursday night.

He also had harsh word for political analysts Steven Friedman and Eusebius McKaiser, whose "predominantly liberal agenda" sought to nullify the gains made by the league.

Addressing league members from around the country at the celebrations, Maine responded to Mazwai's allegation that women in the league were not deployed in key positions but were only "used for their panties".

"We seek to combat those counter-revolutionaries who come in all sorts [of forms]. Amongst those we are faced with are those self-proclaimed opinion-makers in the country," Maine said.

"An example will be the one, Ms Ntsiki Mazwai, who shamelessly went to social media to insult more than half [the] women of our country whom are supporters and members of the ANCYL."

Maine said Mazwai's attack on the league followed the recent elective congress where the league's top leadership was elected unopposed.

"We would like to put it to Ntsiki Mazwai that if her dirty panties are loose she must not take that it is true for the women in the ANC. Perhaps this greasy panty (sic) called Ntsiki needs to be reminded that historically ANC has been on the forefront of the struggle to liberate women.

"It is the same ANC in this government that continues to champion the economic rights of women. It is the same ANC culture that will ensure the representation of the ANCYL conference that will advocate for 50% representation of women," Maine said.

Moving onto Friedman and McKaiser, Maine said: "Our unity is important in the face of counter-revolutionary forces that seek to nullify the gains we have made, predominantly from liberal agenda views made by the so-called opinion makers in the name of Steven Friedman and McKaiser amongst others," Maine said.

"These people who were not part of congress think they can go and mislead the public on what happened in a congress. Contrary to the views of these charlatans, there's nothing unconstitutional that was done in upholding internal democratic processes of the ANC."

'Doomsayers with a liberal agenda'

The league would not be told by "doomsayers with a liberal agenda" how the league must be.

The league would continue to support President Jacob Zuma, as he was the leader of the ANC, Maine vowed.

ANC national executive committee member Pinky Moloi also attacked Mazwai, saying those attacking the league were not revolutionary.

"What is also encouraging is that the congress elected 50% of young women, which demonstrates commitment in gender equality and affirmation of women despite the media commentary after your successful congress," she said.

"I do not know why young people allow some nobodies somewhere from the corners who come up with stories that the ANCYL does not have women and that the ANC only wants their panties, and young women just keep quiet."

Source: News24