By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has described the election of KwaZulu-Natal’s first female Premier as a progressive step towards the transformation of gender roles in leadership and the development of women in South Africa.
Nkoana-Mashabane commended the election of Nomusa Dube-Ncube who was sworn-in on Wednesday as the first female Premier in KwaZulu-Natal since the inception of democracy in South Africa.
“This is a victory in a patriarchal society [and] it proves that women can lead and show their leadership skills. The contributions of women in the fight against apartheid can no longer be silenced,” Nkoana-Mashabane said.
She added that the role of women did not end in the fight against apartheid, but women have been instrumental in “shaping our democratic dispensation and so women’s ascension to leadership roles must follow”.
“Women have been at the forefront of the implementation of our progressive legislation through mass-based mobilisations and advocacy, driving transformational leadership and holding those in power accountable and therefore Dube-Ncube’s appointment solidifies the fact that women are waiting to lead.
“We wish Premier Nomsa Dube-Ncube success in her role and we are confident that her set of skills will be able to help deal with societal issues that women, youth and persons with disabilities face, particularly in rural areas,” the Minister said.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) meanwhile said the election of a female Premier in the province sends a strong message to society that political parties must lead in embracing equal participation of women and men in leadership and decision-making processes at all levels.
“The commission would like to urge Premier Dube-Ncube to fundamentally fast-track gender transformation in KwaZulu-Natal and prioritise programmes that will empower women and rural women in particular, to participate in the mainstream economy.
“The CGE will always, if called upon, give necessary advice in gender related aspects in ensuring that gender equality is attained,” said Commission spokesperson Javu Baloyi.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has called on women appointed to the KwaZulu-Natal provincial executive council, to use their new positions to improve the conditions in which KZN women live under.
The call comes after the appointment of six women as members of executive council (MECs) by the newly appointed Premier Dube-Ncube.
The MECs are Nomagugu Simelane for Health, Nonhlanhla Khoza for Social Development, Neliswa Nkonyeni for Finance, Bongi Sithole-Moloi for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mbali Fraser for Education, and Amanda Mapena for Sports and Culture.
Committee Chairperson, Nonhlanhla Ncube-Ndaba commended the appointment of the six and called on them to ensure that value is added to government strategies to address inequality, poverty, unemployment and gender-based violence (GBV).
“These appointments were made on the basis of the women’s track records on service delivery and their commitments to the Premier’s call to change the lives of the people of KZN.
“These women are not new to positions of this nature and to the responsibility of serving the people. The committee therefore trusts that they will rise to this new occasion, Ncube-Ndaba said.