South Africa’s Minister for Women under fire

There is growing backlash over the credibility and purpose of South Africa’s Ministry of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities after Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga addressed an Iranian state commemoration in Pretoria.

This is an appearance the Democratic Alliance (DA) says undermines South Africa’s constitutional commitment to democracy and human rights, coming amid a

Chikunga attended and addressed the 47th Commemoration of the Islamic Revolution Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran on 6 February 2026, at an event hosted by the Iranian Embassy at the Maslow Hotel in Pretoria.

According to reports from the event, she paid homage to Iran’s culture, praised the enduring ties between South Africa and Iran, and emphasised cooperation, solidarity and shared values between the two countries.

She also reportedly noted that economic relations between the two nations offered opportunities for expanded exchanges and cooperation.

Her participation has drawn sharp condemnation from the DA.

Ryan Smith MP, the party’s spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, describing the appearance as “a blight on South African democracy” and a signal of support for an authoritarian regime accused of violent repression.

Smith said Chikunga’s attendance in her capacity as a member of the national executive amounted to an endorsement of Iran’s leadership at a time when the country faces renewed global scrutiny over its human rights record, including its treatment of women and its crackdown on dissent.

As of February 8, 2026, the death toll from the ongoing protests in Iran is a matter of severe international dispute, with estimates diverging by tens of thousands.

While the Iranian government officially acknowledges 3,117 deaths, human rights organisations and leaked medical documents suggest a far more catastrophic reality.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has verified over 6,400 deaths while investigating another 11,000 cases, and the UN Special Rapporteur has cited reports from medical sources indicating the toll could exceed 20,000.

Most fatalities reportedly occurred during a brutal 48-hour crackdown on January 8 and 9, 2026, and a near-total internet blackout continues to hamper the verification of thousands more missing persons across all 31 provinces.

The News24 report on the event framed Chikunga’s attendance as part of South Africa’s attempt to manage the optics of its relationship with Iran, particularly amid international concerns over Tehran’s internal repression.

Her speech reportedly referenced South African historical milestones such as the Soweto uprising and the 1956 Women’s March, a subtle appeal for tolerance of dissent, despite Iran’s record of harsh responses to protests.

Iranian-aligned coverage, including ABNA English, similarly reported that Chikunga delivered a “message of support” and stressed the positive state of bilateral relations.

Smith, however, argued that Chikunga’s role as Minister for Women made the visit especially controversial, given Iran’s long-standing restrictions on women’s freedoms.

“The women of South Africa deserve to know that this is what their minister publicly advocates for and supports,” he said.

The deeper issue

The DA’s condemnation comes amid growing criticism that the ministry itself has become largely symbolic.

It is a department often accused of producing statements and frameworks while failing to deliver meaningful change on issues like gender-based violence, youth unemployment, and disability inclusion.

The row has also reignited tensions inside South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), formed after the 2024 election.

While the ANC, DA and Freedom Front Plus share executive power for example, they remain fundamentally divided on foreign policy.

The DA continues to push for a “values-based” foreign policy grounded in constitutional principles of democracy and human rights.

The ANC, by contrast, has defended a more “non-aligned” approach shaped by liberation history, Global South solidarity, and resistance to Western dominance.

That divide has deepened since Iran joined BRICS+ in 2024, strengthening its diplomatic and economic ties with South Africa and giving Pretoria greater incentive to maintain cordial relations with Tehran.

Smith accused the ANC of attempting to “hijack the South African government” to align with autocratic states under the banner of anti-imperialism, warning that this approach erodes South Africa’s democratic credibility.

He also claimed Chikunga’s attendance violated her oath to uphold the Constitution, arguing that any public celebration of Iran’s Islamic Revolution contradicts South Africa’s own struggle against apartheid.

“The fight for liberation by the people of Iran mirrors the fight for freedom waged by the people of South Africa,” Smith said, accusing the Iranian government of using “the apartheid playbook” to suppress its citizens.

Iran has faced recurring waves of unrest since the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement erupted in 2022, with renewed protests and strikes reported through 2025 and early 2026 amid economic decline and political repression.

Smith said South Africa had “nothing in common with theocratic dictators” and insisted government had no business celebrating the Iranian regime.