Kule Mahumapelo, as the first lady of North West province, was expected to attend the North West State of the Province Address (Sopa) on Friday 23rd February, where her husband Supra Mahumapelo delivered the address.
In terms of protocol, the the provincial first lady traditionally flanks her husband during the guard of honour before the procession moves into the chamber where she is to be seated with dignitaries in the visitor’s gallery.
What got tongues wagging in the platinum province is the grand style in which Kule Mahumapelo arrived at the venue. She walked under an umbrella carried by a lady believed to be Meokgo Matuba, provincial ANC Women’s League secretary and ex-officio member of the provincial executive committee (PEC).
One Facebook user, Fezidinga Zantana Mavata, remarked: “So where is this unseemly noise by feminists in this instance? What would have hurt Kule Mahumapelo, the wife of North West Premier Supra, to hold her own umbrella? Or you are simply against male dominance and power only.”
“The Provincial Secretary of the ANC WL in NW holding an umbrella for the wife of Supra Mahumapelo at the SOPA. These are the results of sucking up to the leadership. We’re never going to take you serious sister,” wrote Lebohang Victor Itebogeng.
Photographer and artist Omar Badsha was one of those who was not impressed: “The advance guard of the National Democratic Revolution. The ANCWL Provincial Chairperson holding the umbrella for Supra Mahumapelo’s wife. A favour? Cyril?”
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