Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba warns ‘Ben 10s’ are downfall of women in leadership

Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba has set tongues wagging on social media after warning that the downfall of women in leadership positions is often linked to their younger romantic partners, commonly referred to as ‘Ben 10s’.

Ramathuba made the remarks on Wednesday during the official handover of a newly built house to the family of conjoined twins in Lulekani, under the Ba-Phalaborwa local municipality in the Mopani district.

During her address, the she cautioned women in leadership positions against allowing younger partners to influence their personal lives and leadership decisions.

“I wish that when we are done, we can even look at registering this house in the names of all the children and not the mother,” she said.

Ramathuba said women in positions of power often become targets of people seeking to benefit from their influence.

“I know ourselves as women. I’m also a woman. The day I was appointed member of the executive council (MEC), one of my brothers warned me about this. People will suddenly tell you how beautiful you are,” she said.

Ramathuba served as the Limpopo MEC for health from 2015 until 2024.

She made history when she was appointed the first woman premier of the province in in June 2024.