CONTENTS In This Issue

2 Letter from the Editor 6 Contributors to this Edition The Longest Revolution 10 Sex for sale: The State as Pimp – Decriminalising Prostitution 14 Zukiswa Mqolomba The Century of the Woman 18 Amanda Mbali Dlamini Celebrating On the Cover: 22 The journey is long, but Why forsake Muslim women? there is no turning back... 26 Waheeda Amien © GreatStock / Masterfile The power of thinking women: Transformative action for a kinder 30 world Marthe Muller Young African Women who envision the African future 36 Siki Dlanga Entrepreneurship and innovation to address job creation 30 40 South African Breweries Promoting 21st century South African women from an economic 42 perspective Yazini April Investing in astronomy as a priority platform for research and 46 innovation Why is equality between women and men so important? 48 Lynn Carneson McGregor 40 Women in Engineering: What holds us back? 52 Mamosa Motjope ’s women: The Untold Story 56 Jennifer Lindsey-Renton Making rights real for women: Changing conversations about 58 empowerment Ronel Rensburg and Estelle de Beer Adopt-a-River 46 62 Department of Water Affairs Community Health Workers: Changing roles, shifting thinking 64 Melanie Roberts and Nicola Stuart-Thompson South African Foreign Policy: A practitioner’s perspective 68 Petunia Mpoza Creative Lens 70 Poetry by Bridget Pitt

Readers' Forum © SAWID, SAB, Department of 72 Woman of the 21st Century by Nozibele Qutu Science and Technology

Volume 42 / 2012 1 LETTER FROM THE managing EDITOR

am writing the editorial this month looks forward, with a deeply inspiring because we decided that this belief that future generations of black Iissue would be written entirely South African women will continue to by women. So let me start by giving change the world for the better. a heartfelt thank you to all of you Recent discussions in many forums who responded at short notice to our have, however, highlighted the sad appeal for contributions for our fact that there is still an overwhelming magazine in celebration of August, our amount of work to be done. These women’s month. include the ANC policy conference, The election of Nkosazana Dlamini and the Conference of the Progressive Zuma as the first Southern African and Women Movement of South Africa the first woman to chair the African (PWMSA). As Angie Motshekga, Union Commission is a very significant President of the ANC Women’s League, event. It shows that African leaders records in her article, some of the can solve their differences and act in participants felt that change has not yet unison, and gives tangible expression impacted on women within the working to the resolution which declared the class and the poorest of the poor. decade between 2010 and 2020 as the Decade of Women. "My election Women’s power in decision-making should not be seen as a personal victory processes but it should be seen as a victory for the The ANC Women’s League has African continent in general," she told been pushing for more real power deputies to their male counterparts. reporters before flying back to South for women in politics. In May, Angie The ANC Women’s League wants Africa. "We will continue to work in a Motshekga appealed to members to gender parity in the top leadership of way that tries to build consensus." fight patriarchy. She said that there the ANC. It also wants a 50/50 gender In her acceptance speech, Dlamini had been a regression in government split in the party conference delegations Zuma said she was humbled by the and within the ANC on women’s issues in a bid to empower women in the honour bestowed on her by the with valuable gains being lost. Very few governing party. Mkhize added that leadership of the AU. She undertook of the leadership roles, even at branch women were saying the party should to work towards the unity of the AU, level, were held by women (News 24, “move beyond numbers’ games and as well as towards peace, stability, 7.05.12). The strength of patriarchy begin to talk to power-sharing between development and the upliftment of in this country crosses racial, ethnic men and women in the organisation” women and children. and religious boundaries, with deep (City Press, 29.06.12). The Thinker congratulates Dr roots everywhere. She also reported that the Dlamini Zuma on this appointment Motshekga also deplored the commission has discussed the possibility and is confident that she will serve the behaviour of Cosatu members in their of a summit to ‘unpack’ women's AU with distinction. attacks on DA marchers in Pretoria rights – “a gender summit that will We have much to be proud of in and the insults shouted against Helen look at power relations in all respects, South Africa, in terms of promoting Zille and . “What so that it is not only women who are gender equality, particularly in worries me… is the sexism and racism talking about these issues”. ANC NEC relation to adopting and defending that emerged. As an advocate of member also said there a Constitution which outlaws women’s rights, this upsets me… It’s was a proposal that there should be an discrimination on the grounds of “race, the same reprimand we’ve always audit of the country’s cultural practices gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, given and the Youth to assess whether or not they were in ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual League concerning Zille – focus on line with the Constitution. orientation, age, disability, religion, her politics, not on her as a woman. conscience, belief, culture, language Leave her sex and race out of it” (News Constitutional human rights and birth”. We have also achieved 24, 16.05.12). “The nation needs to Upholding the human rights an extraordinary improvement in the move on and work towards healing the guaranteed in our Constitution is a level of representation for women wounds of the past instead of rubbing complex process, mainly because in decision-making positions in salt in them.” attitudes and established behaviour government - and now in the AU - in (ANC NEC patterns do not change as the result a remarkably short period – outshining Member and ANCWL Treasurer of decrees and laws - although these other countries in this respect. General) explained after discussions in provide an essential foundation for the In this month’s edition, Ayanda the commission on gender at the recent changes required. Dlodlo’s moving article looks back ANC policy conference that, in spite of South Africa committed to the eight and celebrates the courage and the ANC’s gender parity policy, most UN Millennium Development Goals, commitment of the women of women were still put in leadership of which number 3 is “Promote gender Umkhonto we Siswe; whilst Siki Dlanga positions as additional members or as equality and empower women.” South

2 THE THINKER LETTER FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR

Africa’s Country Report on progress in on the lives of women of some long- trafficking. Zukiswa Mqolomba has relation to these goals in 2010 made standing cultural and religious practices. made a valuable contribution to this comments - which are still relevant The fact that nearly all societies have debate by clearly presenting the issues today - on the difficulty of: been in the past highly patriarchal and from different viewpoints. • “Aligning constitutional protection of accepted without questioning various An area where there needs to be religious and culture practices with levels of servitude for the majority of a co-ordinated coherent offensive in the secular rights held by women people, usually including most women, the context of women’s rights in South and girls under the constitution and but are changing (at different rates and Africa is, of course, that of rape: rape related legislation”; and in different directions) is conveniently and abuse of women and children, • “Working with a broad range of forgotten. Change, in one direction or considered by some of our citizens community and interest groups to another, is inevitable, and the relevant as normal behaviour; baby rape; the address social, religious and cultural question is: ‘In which direction do rape of lesbians; and constant sexual beliefs, assumptions and practices we move?’ harassment, threats and humiliation for that remain as barriers to women’s Amongst the issues discussed by all females and gay people. Rape and empowerment and gender at the ANC Policy Conference were sexual abuse at home and at school equality.” ‘ukuthwala’ (abducted marriages) and also seem to be spiralling out of control. It further stated that ‘ukungenwa’ (inheriting a wife). ‘In Some members of South African • “In the context of this patriarchal some parts of the Eastern Cape very society, many of them unemployed, society, there is a history of violence young girls still run the risk of being disempowered and disillusioned and gender inequality, as women abducted and forced into marriages young men, vent their fury on the are perceived to be subordinate and with much older men. ANC national most vulnerable in their communities inferior to men.” executive committee (NEC) member or try to convince themselves of It made several recommendations said the Eastern their personal power by degrading about practical steps which could be Cape pushed for the adoption of the and hurting those chosen as hate taken to assist in the empowerment proposal. “There was agreement that objects to fulfil their need to identify of women, and almost all of these are this is a violation of women’s rights an elusive enemy: these victims are being addressed by the organisation … and that South Africa has dealt women and children, people with South African Women In Dialogue with issues that have to do with the disabilities, foreigners, people with (SAWID). Its extraordinary work is abuse of women and the oppression different lifestyles and other ‘outsiders’ described in a contribution from of women. All provinces said they – whoever is least likely to be able Marthe Muller. This and many other don’t support ‘ukuthwala’ so we have to defend themselves or retaliate. organisations and individuals are at last won as women,” she said’ (City Press, Whilst the anger and frustration is beginning to “work with a broad range 29.06.12). understandable, the chosen release for of community and interest groups to Women, particularly in rural areas, their feelings is not. All of our society address social, religious and cultural still face daily challenges as a result must stand visibly and firmly together beliefs, assumptions and practices of continuing patriarchal attitudes. to stop this outrage. People must know that remain as barriers to women’s Examples of this are documented in for a fact that, “We have struck a rock!” empowerment and gender equality.” the article by Melanie Roberts and Women’s issues are not problems Waheeda Amien writes about the Nicola Stuart-Thompson where they affecting women alone, but all of us. Muslim Marriages Bill, questioning argue that female community health In the caring and cohesive society the inexplicable delays in enacting workers are hampered by prejudices we seek to build, these issues must the long-prepared legislation. She held against them, especially in rural not to be highlighted for one month also explains the issues raised and the areas. Mamosa Motjope questions of the year and then dropped. So we need for Muslim men and women to the continuing dominance of white fervently hope that in future, not only understand and debate these issues, males in the engineering profession. will far more women submit articles and to demand action from the Ronel Rensburg and Estelle de Beer and creative pieces to The Thinker, government instead of just accepting examine the complexities of the term but that we shall receive relevant the status quo. ‘empowerment’ and ways in which it submissions on current women’s issues As a direct result of our South can be achieved. on a regular basis. African history of colonialism and In the ANC Policy Conference’s Once again we are happy for this , certain customary practices Commission on Gender, the opportunity to congratulate the women are, correctly, recognised as highly decriminalisation of prostitution was of our country, young and old, black sensitive issues. Many people associate proposed, but it was decided that and white, gay and straight, employed challenges to traditional beliefs and further dialogue was needed, partly and unemployed, rich and poor, on the behaviours as yet another attempt to because of the opposition of churches occasion of 9 August, Women’s Day. impose ‘Western’ or ‘liberal’ values on and many other organisations of civil We wish you a life filled with human sections of our society that have resisted society. More advocacy and further dignity and respect. Let us dream, like change. There is still, in South Africa, a research may be required on this issue, Siki Dlanga. And let us turn our dreams certain reluctance to examine the impact linking it to the problems of human into reality. 

Volume 42 / 2012 3 4

© iStockphoto.com pcaiig n oprt gvrac. h i a senior a is Governance. She Corporate for Centre University Stellenbosch governance. the at Fellow corporate in specialising consultancy international an Convivium, run has she years twenty over For Drama teacher. drama qualified of a is and Teaching value educational the on books two published Young ScholarsProgram. and Graduate Young AISA the of establishment the involves of foreign policy. Her major accomplishment at AISA to date in Atlanta, Georgia. April has published widely on the subject Law of School Marshall John the at Law and Carolina South All contributinganalystswriteintheirpersonalcapacity CONTRIBUTORS TOTHSEDTON R E K N I H T E H T uem n ae on Se a also has She Town. Cape in Museum is currently at the Nelson title Mandela Gateway and same the with courage exhibition multi- media the Her family. her to of perseverance testament a sexism. is and Rainbow’, the in ‘Red racism biography, Lynn’s fascism, fighters against committed were to 1944 who in parents born was Carneson Lynn of University the at Program Graduate the at Affairs International studied April e-Governance. and (IBSA), Africa India-Brazil- South China, on work done has She governance. global on focus a with Unit Governance and Democracy the in works she a where (AISA) Africa South currently of is Institute Africa the at Specialist April Research Funeka Yazini and Muslim Rights writes inherpersonalcapacity. in Human and expert Law an Personal is She Forum. Marriages Muslim Chair of Recognition the Cape and of Women’) Yabafazi of of Shura University (‘Consultation of the Co-founder at Town, Law in Amien Waheeda Dr is a Senior Lecturer Senior a is renewal ofAfrica. has a love for mother Africa and is interested in the unity and Amanda Tanzania) and Rwanda Uganda, Kenya, (Ethiopia, Africa East through backpacked branding recently Having Africa. and writing, are passions Amanda’s members, 2000 management communication industry inSouthAfricaandabroad. the on had impact has profound which a Relationships, Stakeholder Governing 8: ofChapter the writing in involved specifically was and III) Estelle (King 2009 Governance institution. on Report King the same to contributed the at Management Reputation h Cnr fr omncto and Communication for Centre of the member founding a a is as She Pretoria lecturer. of University the Estelle joined professional, communication as years a 17 After university. at same PhD the a towards working currently is and Pretoria of University the at laude) (cum Management Communication in Beer de Estelle She is currently selling her first poetry degree first her selling currently is Communications She poet. published a is She Unisa. BA through her completes she while basis fulltime a on writing her pursue to Cape Eastern the to returned has she Town Cape in years the Eastern Cape. After working for a few of mouth the from attention to all Africa of calling joy of voice a is Dlanga Siki over with Africans young for platform The Nampak. founder of The African Pioneer, and an online Breweries a African for worked number of multinationals including South has a and Management holds Marketing in specialising She Degree Moses BCom the Foundation. for Mabhida Director Marketing a Dlamini Mbali Amanda opee hr Masters her completed s currently is

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EDITION

TheTheFF O O R R T T H H Thinker O OThinker U U GG HH T T L L E E AA DERSDERS

The Journal for Contributing Analysts anthology. Her poem The day of the African Progressive Thought Haroon Bhorat, Willie Prophet was included in Bozza Hits 3 found in Esterhuyse, Brandon Foot, Publisher Nokia Music Store. Steven Friedman, Mel Gooding, Vusizwe Media Shadrack Gutto, Adam Habib, Ayanda Dlodlo, a former Editor Francis Kornegay, JP Landman, MK combatant, is secretary Dr Peter Lawrence, Chris of the MK military Veterans’ [email protected] Landsberg, Riël Malan, Eddie Association. She was Maloka, Tshilidzi Marwala, Managing Editor appointed as the Deputy Zamikhaya Maseti, Prince Meg Pahad Minister of Public Service Mashele, Kuben Naidoo, [email protected] and Administration of the Sifiso Mxolisi Ndlovu, Aziz Republic of South Africa Editorial Assistant & Pahad, Angina Parekh, Barney in November 2010. She PA to Dr Pahad Pityana, Mike Prior, Ronald holds a number of post-graduate qualifications Zain Dindar Suresh Roberts, Anver Saloojee, in Management Development, Business Mongane Wally Serote, Khadija Advertising, Production & Management and Executive Development Sharife, Rajeev Shukla, Distribution Programme. She has worked for Telkom, Yves Wantens Portnet and Sanlam in various portfolios such Zain Dindar as Human Resources, Transport, Strategic [email protected] information and Industrial Relations. Saki Mabhele [email protected] Melissa King has worked Tel: +27 82 750 3729 as a teacher, lecturer, All Correspondence To writer and researcher across The Editor different sectors of education The Thinker and training, including [email protected] ABET, FET colleges, Vusizwe Media workplace contexts for skills Office 253, 2nd Floor development, schooling Dunkeld West Shopping Center and higher education. She c/o & Bompass has a BA honours from the Dunkeld West University of Natal, and a Higher Education 2196 Diploma and Master’s Degree in English Tel:+27 11 325 2078 Literature from UNISA. Her interest in the Fax: +27 86 608 4799 relationship between language and context finds expression in the Creative Lens section Design & Art Direction which she and Meg Pahad conceived and have Liesel van der Schyf edited together since it began, in Volume 9, [email protected] November 2009. Tel:+27 82 336 7537 Accountants Karolia Jeena inc. Jennifer Lindsey-Renton Le Penseur by +27 11 537 3700 read for her BA in Politics Auguste Rodin [email protected] and German, as well as © iStockphoto.com her Honours degree in International Studies, at Rhodes University. Having travelled extensively, Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Jennifer returned to South Requests should be made in writing to the Editor. Views and opinions expressed in Africa where she now The Thinker are not necessarily those of Vusizwe Media. They can accept no liability of divides her time between whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of the publication. writing, editing and raising her young family. © 2012 Vusizwe Media Her writing interests lie in politics and women’s Printed by CTP Printers, Cape Town, South Africa issues, particularly with regards to how business www.thethinker.co.za can assist in both of these areas. Subscriptions Zain Dindar [email protected] Tel: +27 82 369 7422 VolumeVolumeVolume 12241916 3 // 2010201120102009 55 CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EDITION

Mamosa Motjope graduated as an Naledi Pandor is South Africa’s Minister Electrical Engineering at the University of Science and Technology. A life of of the Witwatersrand. She completed exile from 1961 until 1984 resulted her MBA at the Edinburgh Business in a decidedly international flavour to School. She has previously worked her education. Her higher education for South African and London qualifications include a BA from the based Investment banks. Her work University of Botswana and Swaziland experience also includes strategy and an MA in Education from the consulting for a reputable global University of London. She completed an Consulting firm. Mamosa is currently a part time student MA in Linguistics at the University of Stellenbosch in 1997, at the African Leadership Institute where her while she was serving as an MP. She was the first woman studies focus on the African Political Economy as well as and last Chancellor of the Cape Technikon. She became an Africa and International Trade. MP in 1994, deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces in 1998, and its Chairperson from 1999-2004. She Matsie Angelina Motshekga has been was appointed Minister of Education from 2004-2009 and is President of the ANC Women's League presently South Africa's Minister of Science and Technology. since 2007 and she was appointed as the Minister of Basic Education in Professor Ronél Rensburg was Head 2009. She is a member of the National of the Department of Marketing and Executive Committee of the ANC. She Communication Management at the was previously a Member of the University of Pretoria from 2000- Provincial Legislature. She was a teacher 2008. She is a board member of the and then a lecturer at College Global Alliance for Associations of of Education and at the University of Public Relations and Communication Witwatersrand. Angie has an HDip Ed, and a BEd and a Management and the immediate past- Masters Degree from the University of Witwatersrand. President of PRISA (Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa). Ronél is coordinator of Zuki Mqolomba is a scholar activist, international exchange activities, research cooperation and researcher and policy analyst. She collaboration initiatives for the Faculty of Economic and holds two Masters degrees: Msocsci Management Sciences at the University of Pretoria. and MA Poverty and Development from the and Melanie Roberts is currently completing University of Sussex respectively. She a Masters degree in Governance is a Mandela-Rhodes scholar, as well and Development at the Institute of Chevening scholar with a keen interest Development Studies. Her current in International Relations, particularly research focuses on state-citizen the politics of multi-lateral interface and Afro/Silo relations. relations, particularly citizen participation She was formerly an Assistant Director at the Department of with the state apparatus, at the level of Labour (Research, Policy and Planning). She now works for a local government in South Africa. She leading global consulting firm based in Sandton. holds a degree in International Studies and Political Science from the University of Pretoria. She has Marthe Muller, Chief Operations Officer worked at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria as the of South African Women in Dialogue. Institute’s coordinator for the ‘L’Observatoire de l’Afrique’. Marthe is a 12th generation Afrikaner in South Africa who studied Philosophy Nicola Stuart-Thompson completed her and Political Philosophy at Stellenbosch Bachelors of Social Sciences and Law University before leaving South Africa Degrees at Rhodes University before in 1984 to study Women’s History at starting work for UNICEF in 2008. Sarah Lawrence College in New York on After two years at the international a Fulbright Scholarship. After 12 years of organisation she identified the need to living in Bogota, Colombia, where she engage in grassroots work in order to worked in documentary filmmaking and cultural television better understand the range of issues programmes, she returned to South Africa in 2000. She has facing community development. Nicola been involved in SAWID activities since attending the first is currently working as the Resource Development Manager SAWID National Dialogue in July 2003. of CHoiCe Trust and is living in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province.

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The Longest Revolution I think we have come to a stalemate partly due to this reality…, that the agenda for the liberation of women has at certain moments in history assumed “a subsidiary, if not an invisible element in the preoccupations of socialists” and progressives.

By Angie Motshekga

e have emerged recently Africa to a higher level spurred on by the public discourse, are around the extent from the 2nd Conference general consensus that beginning with to which gains of transformation from Wof the Progressive Women the 1994 democratic breakthrough, apartheid and ‘internal colonialism’ Movement of South Africa (PWMSA) great strides have been made on the have, or have not, translated into a and the National Policy Conference matter of qualitative empowerment better life for the majority of women, of the African National Congress and meaningful emancipation of the African women in particular. (ANC) in which the current status and women, within and without the ANC Among the views expressed, was the empowerment of women have come and government. position that change has not reached under focus. Unsettling questions and concerns women within the working class and Out of these critical reflections we emerging out of the dialogical the poorest of the poor and that the goal have acquired renewed energy sharply reflections of progressive women, and of 50/50 gender parity appears to be to take the gender question in South also gaining some momentum in the elusive. Factors that fuel some of these

10 THE THINKER POLITICS genuine concerns could be located in need for their liberation was recognized and tactics as the political home the slow pace of transformation in the by all the great socialist thinkers in the of women. private sector with respect to women’s nineteenth century. It is part of the The 2006 Declaration of the empowerment and representation at classical heritage of the revolutionary Progressive Women’s Movement board and senior management levels. movement.” I think we have come to which was adopted at the Inaugural Perhaps these are the coordinates a stalemate partly due to this reality Conference in Mangaung, on 5-8 of the perspective which says, pregnant shared by Mitchell and many others, August 2006, spoke of this situation as with pessimism and a deep sense that the agenda for the liberation of “the triple fold struggle characterised by of disillusionment, that “after initial women has at certain moments in class, race and gender oppression.” gains women seem to be losing the history assumed “a subsidiary, if not an The gender question had always political edge” (Mail & Guardian invisible element in the preoccupations been located within the national Supplement on Women’s Month, 26 of socialists” and progressives. The question in South Africa whose Aug - 1 Sep 2011). ANCWL interrogates this state of objective had always been to unite It is in this context that I believe we affairs in earnest in the seminal ANC all South Africans behind the vision to should begin to interrogate to what Gender Paper. create a united, democratic, non-racial, extent democratic South Africa has The ANC Gender Paper was the first non-sexist and prosperous society. been able to advance the progressive intervention of this nature in the history The ANC president of the exile agenda of women’s empowerment of the ANC to be made by women period, Cde Oliver Reginald (OR) and emancipation. before plenary, as was the case on Tambo, articulated in clear terms this theory and practice of the women’s Triple subordination of women struggle in September 1981 at one The 2012 PWMSA conference at It was for of the ANC women’s conferences, in the University, in the reason women Luanda, Angola: “The mobilisation of Eastern Cape, had a telling theme: women is the task not only of women “the involvement of women in the launched the PWMSA, alone, or of men alone, but of all of us, economy.” to unite progressive men and women alike... There is no From such a theme and flow of way in which women in general can discussions, delegates from across the women and strengthen liberate themselves without fighting to political spectrum could discern the our gender machinery end the exploitation of man by man.” current state of the women’s struggle and for the final onslaught In spite of the perspective of the the nature and content of challenges on popular women’s movement we had the way towards a non-sexist society that on patriarchal power, adopted vis-à-vis the philosophy of would be characterised by approaches traditionalism, social the feminist movement, we had been to and treatment of ‘women’s rights as conscious of “the problems inherent in human rights.’ exclusion and cultural the widespread practice of assuming The ANC Women’s League domination. the existence of common interests, (ANCWL) had sent a high-level ideologies, politics, and experiences”. delegation under the stewardship We knew that “identities are a of its national President, Mrs Angie the occasion of the 3rd ANC National contested terrain” (Marxism and Class, Motshekga, who is also South Africa’s General Council in September 2010, Gender and Race, 2001). minister of Basic Education. The in , where it was first presented. From as early as the 1900s, women League leadership had just emerged It was later refined, as informed by have been in the forefront of the from the ruling party’s (ANC) policy material conditions on the ground, broader struggle to create a united, conference in Midrand, from 26 to 29 for the 2012 ANC National Policy democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and June 2012. Conference. This document constitutes prosperous society. As early as 1913, The leadership was therefore in a the basis for discussions and broader under the leadership of Charlotte good position to share with progressive consultation ahead of the 53rd ANC Maxeke and others, they staged a women its vision on what needs to National Conference in Mangaung, in daring combat against oppression and be done effectively to resolve the December 2012. exploitation. They protested against women’s struggle for gender equality, Central to the ANCWL’s outlook discriminatory laws that restricted empowerment and full emancipation. and approach, as reflected in its free movement of Africans – like the This is the longest revolution, Gender policy document prepared pass laws whose rejection triggered according to Juliet Mitchell in her for the ANC Policy conference, is a the massacre in Sharpeville, in 1960. socialist critique of the problem of consciousness of the special-type triple Their struggles led to the formation and the subordination of women, titled subordination of women, obtaining recognition by the ANC of the ANC Women: The Longest Revolution, 1966 particularly in ex-colonies on the Women’s League in 1948. (http://www.marxist.org). African continent and elsewhere. This This revolutionary process produced In Mitchell’s view, this problem “of ideological orientation has over many strong leaders and national heroines the subordination of women and the years of struggle shaped our strategy who moved us ‘two steps forward’

Volume 42 / 2012 11 POLITICS

towards the humanisation of South society, but it has also led the same Institutions and Gender Index. At the African society and the creation of a campaign in [the Southern African] time, it was number 3 in the whole caring and loving society. region and the [African] continent. of Africa. These are exemplary women who “The ANC government played In 2010, more females than males gave their lives, selflessly, so that we a critical role in the adoption of were enrolled in tertiary institutions, can all be free, women leaders the the Southern African Development at 56.4%. The South African Schools calibre of Charlotte Maxeke, Lillian Cooperation (SADC) Gender Protocol Act of 1996 has provided a framework Ngoye, , Ama Naidoo, with its programme for gender equality for advancing the democratic , Adelaide Tambo, and the commitment of the not less transformation of society, combating Bertha Gxowa and many others. than 50% quota for women in all racism and sexism and all other forms of It was for good reason women decision-making structures in SADC unfair discrimination and intolerance. launched the PWMSA, to unite countries by 2015.” Three years ahead of the 2015 progressive women and strengthen The country has embraced the target for Millennium Development our gender machinery for the final declaration of 2010 to 2020, by Africa’s Goals, we are set to realise universal onslaught on patriarchal power, Heads of State and Government, as access to primary education, including traditionalism, social exclusion and the African Women’s Decade. The for the girl-child. The country has cultural domination. initiated programmes for increasing Each year, on 9 August, which only the number of girl-learners who take became a national holiday after 1994, The significance of Mathematics and Science at school. democratic South Africa remembers the historic Women’s Projects include the Girls Education the historic march of 20 000 unarmed March lies in the fact Movement and Techno-Girl that are women to the Union Buildings, against intended to encourage girls to study the draconian pass laws of the time. that it exposed the Maths, Science and Technology. This year is no different. National disempowering myth A focus on education is key to Women’s Day is a milestone in the empowering women and attaining women’s struggle for a better deal. of women as politically the 50/50 quota. Education has a The significance of the historic inept, immature and tremendous multiplier effect that Women’s March lies in the fact that it brings lasting benefits to individuals exposed the disempowering myth of perpetually tied to the and communities and thus the need women as politically inept, immature home like a dishcloth to promote the campaign of making and perpetually tied to the home like education a societal responsibility. a dishcloth is to the kitchen. is to the kitchen. Our skills shortage was evident And so, as we celebrate this year the during the infrastructure drive that ANC’s 100 Years of Selfless Struggle, Constitution of 1996 is consistent came with South Africa’s hosting of so must we remember to chronicle with gender-sensitive prescripts of the the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2010 the immense contribution of women African Charter for Human and People’s wherein a considerable number of in building the ANC and lifting South Rights which says: engineers were imported into the Africa out of the clutches of a racist, “The State shall ensure the elimination country. sexist and exploitative regime. of every discrimination against women The 2012 ANC National Policy and also ensure the protection of the Conference has reiterated the Great strides we made rights of the woman and the child as organisation’s commitment to To a large extent there is great stipulated in international declarations champion the 50% quota for women progress in the empowerment of and conventions.” in all spheres of national life. Currently, women. The aspirations of women South Africa’s progressive legislative 43% of Cabinet ministers are women, for equality are contained in the post- framework is aligned to the international with 44% in Parliament. apartheid Constitution of 1996 which system and instruments for promoting The 2011 Women in Leadership goes a long way in guaranteeing rights human rights of women, including Census of the Businesswomen’s of women. the Beijing Platform for Action and Association of South Africa (BWASA) In an article on Women’s Day, the Convention on the Elimination of has confirmed that: “The South African South Africa’s Ambassador to Italy, All Forms of Discrimination against government has been noted for its Ambassador Thenjiwe Mtintso, Women. efforts towards gender equality: Many demonstrated categorically the extent By 2009, the country was in the 6th of the country’s ministers, deputy to which the quality of life of women best position in the Global Gender Gap ministers, directors-general and deputy has changed since 1994: Index by the World Economic Forum. directors-general are women.” “Not only has the ANC and its It had made significant improvements It has found that in the tally of government opened democratic spaces in female labour force participation women at all levels (from the lower in society for the participation of women (ipsnews.net). skilled to senior management) in in all spheres of life and for the creation In 2010, it ranked number 49 out government, there are more women of real democracy and a non-patriarchal of 102 OECD countries on the Social (56.3%) employed in government

12 THE THINKER POLITICS departments than men (43.7%). Programme Gender Policy and Strategy believes will accelerate empowerment. And has concluded: “South Africa has reported that gender inequality is a We could begin to fast-track is not lagging far behind some of its major cause and effect of hunger and women’s involvement in the economy international counterparts and is poverty, estimating that 60 percent of if we were to persuade financing indeed, in some instances, leading in chronically hungry people are women institutions to avail funding for women’s terms of gender inclusion.” In countries and girls (Bua News, 7 March 2012). empowerment programmes in the such as France, Spain and Switzerland, We need practical steps. country and on the continent. Another women represent 40% of ministerial Regrettably, I do not think at the 2nd practical intervention would be to positions (BWASA) compared to 43% Conference of the PWMSA we were provide specific training programmes to in South Africa. able to say how we should proceed maximise the skilling and employment Another view represented in the with the women’s agenda, also at an of women, a priority the ANCWL is Mail & Guardian Supplement on economic level, practically and with resolved sharply to promote. Women’s Month (26 Aug - 1 Sep sustainable gains for women even for Beyond these minimum 2011) is that “this may be good on those at the grassroots. We should programmes, as Juliet Mitchell has paper, behind it all is a raging debate have gone sufficiently far in showing said, “until there is a revolution in on what it means on the ground”. An how we will stimulate and inspire production, the labour situation will interesting, yet most certainly unsettling “the involvement of women in the prescribe women’s situation within the question often posed by women economy” and also concretely spell out world of men” (http://www.marxist. feeling their revolution has dragged the institutional mechanisms required org). on long enough, even 18 years into to direct and manage this agenda. The country will empower and democratic South Africa, is: “Do the Much still needs to be done emancipate women to the extent that it numbers reflect mere tokenism, or have to empower women. In fact, on strengthens measures for tackling abuse they effected real changes for women female representation at board and and violence against women. We have living in South Africa?” management level, the 2011 Women in mind, inter alia, law reform on bail The 2012 Women’s Month has in Leadership Census says that change and sentencing, victim empowerment, posed for progressive women these has been marginal especially in the legal literacy, and expanding access to pertinent questions seeking to critique business sector. the courts especially for women in rural most critically the content and quality According to this Census, “although communities. These are some of the of the gains that had been made for and women make up more than half the ways we think will help arrest gender- by women. Answering these questions South African population and 45% of based violence and the subordination would be very critical as it would then the workforce, this is not reflected in of women. tell us to what extent can and should the leadership of the workforce.” There women celebrate 100 Years of Selfless were only 15 women CEOs and 18 In summary Struggle or bemoan ‘one hundred years women chairpersons from a total of 339 In the final analysis, global of solitude.’ companies (BWASA). In the Foreword, prosperity and peace will only be the proposition is advanced that “if feasible once all the people of the Current challenges left to market forces and without any world are empowered to order their Notwithstanding what we have enforcement mechanism, this situation own lives and to provide for themselves said about the trajectory of women’s will continue.” Empowerment, like and their families. These should empowerment that we have achieved wealth, does not trickle down. necessarily include the marginalised in South Africa since 1994, through and “wretched of the earth” who are an empowering constitutional and What is to be done? condemned to peripheral lives on the legislative framework, there would The ANC Gender Paper articulates strength of disempowering notions of not be any contradiction in terms if far-reaching recommendations on power – like gender, race and class. we were to say that the country is still fundamental issues key to transforming There is ample research showing ranked among unequal societies. the oppressive reality defining what it that in Asia, Latin America and Africa, This is so, given the huge legacy of means to be ‘woman’ in a dominantly where women have been given the the past we had to grapple with, and patriarchal society. A critical priority is chance to succeed through increased the concomitant triple challenge of the Gender Equality Bill, which, once educational opportunities, families are inequality, poverty and unemployment law, will provide the framework for found to be much stronger, economies from which, as we argue in the ANC speeding-up the achievement of 50/50 are growing, and societies are indeed Gender Paper, women suffer the most. gender parity. flourishing. As in many other countries, particularly Intensifying the campaign to support In a nutshell, for “the longest in rural communities and informal women in starting up enterprises revolution” to be resolved, in the settlements, women bear the brunt and growing existing ones, as well wisdom of Juliet Mitchell: “the main of devastating hunger, gender-based as affirming and supporting women thrust of any emancipation movement violence, HIV and Aids and other farmers through, among other things, must still concentrate on the economic poverty-related diseases. land acquisition, equipment and skills, element – the entry of women fully into The United Nations’ World Food are some of the means the ANCWL public industry.” 

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Sex for sale: The State as Pimp “The union federation supported the sex workers’ demands for labour rights. It’s not our place to make a moral judgment on prostitution. It’s a reality © Shutterstock.com in South Africa today”. Decriminalising The 2009 COSATU Gender Policy Conference also made resolutions in favour of decriminalisation. Prostitution However, debates rage on without a firm grasp of either the nuances of South Africa’s sex industry or a set of policy perspectives to ground the debate. This article makes no attempt to resolve the matter but seeks instead to highlight the nuances that characterise the industry for consideration by policy makers. In essence, it argues that it is simply not enough to adopt narrow morality without considering the appropriateness of legal and enforcement responses in addressing structural risks and vulnerability. Nor does it suffice to adopt blindly neo- liberalism for its own sake without duly considering the social and personal risks ‘inherent’ in the trade. Any state There are no easy answers, only difficult resolve will have to be a considered questions… the state can no longer ‘turn a blind one. In this instance it will need to consider fully the varied ideological eye’ to the shocking realities of the industry. thrusts that inform the debate, as well as the contradictions between theory The ills that characterise the industry persist and practice.

despite the intentions of criminal law. Different perspectives which inform the legal response 1. Prostitution as Work By Zukiswa Mqolomba There are those who see adult prostitution as legitimate employment ebates on adult prostitution have Conference and on the back of the for women, comparing it to wage been raging in South Africa’s regulatory work of the South African labour. They see prostitution as the Dpublic and legal domains Law Reform Commission (SALRC) contracting out of the sale of sexual since the 1990s. These debates were which has proposed models to address services (labour) in exchange for heightened in 2007 with Labour court the challenges of adult prostitution in money. A cash value is attached to Judge Halton Cheadle ruling on the South Africa. prostitution, just as a cash value is “Kylie” vs Michelle van Zyl case which A number of political organisations attached to a person's labour power characterised Kylie’s relationship with and institutions have spoken in favour in the labour market or to commercial her massage parlour as being typical of of decriminalisation. COSATU (WC), goods in economic markets. In essence, an employment relationship, however, the former Minister of Women, in the business of sex, sex does act as a unlawful. The debates spiraled once Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, commodity like any other and, as such, again in light of the forgone 2010 Fifa Gauteng legislature, as well as some can be said to fall within the ambit of World Cup, with the former National local municipalities in the Western standard economic theory. Prostitutes Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, Cape and North West, for instance, are therefore seen as having the right to proposing a temporary relaxation of have made public pronouncements in exploit the value of their sexual labour, the criminal law on adult prostitution. favour of legal reform. like any other labour, in a legitimate The ANCWL has since come out of At a May Day rally in 2009, the bid to sustain their livelihoods. the shadows in ardent support of the COSATU Western Cape provincial The National Director of Public campaign to decriminalise South Africa’s secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, for instance, Prosecutions, the City of Cape Town, sex industry. The ANCWL’s support gave full and unambiguous support to the Family Policy Institute and the Rape became clear in light of the ANC Policy the decriminalisation campaign stating: Crisis Centre, however, are examples

14 THE THINKER POLITICS of those represented in a lobby group their lives instead. Clients often behave appalling conditions by pushing the that have actively discouraged policy violently during sexual intercourse and industry underground and beyond the moves in favour of reforming the law largely because they feel they’ve paid ‘regulatory eye’ of the state. Fick (2006) in this respect, arguing against any for the service and therefore ‘own’ the argues, for instance, that criminal constructions that validate prostitution as provider. They often do not consider laws render prostitutes easy prey for a meaningful employment opportunity sex workers as human beings violence and exploitation. She argues for women based on free choice. This Studies have also shown strong that the physical safety of prostitutes lobby argues that most women are correlations between the experiences is threatened and/or exacerbated by coerced or physically forced into a life of violence and personal violation in the criminal sphere in which they of ‘sex for sale’ and cannot escape. prostitution. Most studies reveal that are forced to operate. She supports This coercion comes either in the early sexual and physical abuse, child Chapman’s (2005) argument that forms of ‘direct’ coercion (for example, neglect and victimisation, slavery ‘hookers tend to be surrounded by trafficking), or indirect forms resulting and debt-bondage, poverty and felonious confederates because what from the economic marginalisation unemployment are the biggest factors they do is illegal. The enterprise attracts of women through educational that shape and influence decisions to violent people because violence is often deprivation and job discrimination, join the sex trade. useful in a business that can’t expect constituting a more subtle form of The decision to join the sex protection from the cops. It is said coercion. Even where women appear to industry is therefore often shaped that the retail liquor trade used to be freely choose prostitution as the only or and influenced by earlier experiences that way too, during prohibition. Since the most lucrative form of employment of violation, which persist in the repeal, it has been about as violent as available, this choice is not really made experience of prostitution, resulting in the dairy industry.’ voluntarily. The choices women make negative consequences on the personal Conditions are undoubtedly as free agents are also eroded by the welfare of most prostitutes. excercabated by the violations of basic nature of the industry itself. rights involved in the enforcement, Opponents argue rather in favour Prostitutes are entrapment, investigation, and of exit strategies that will expand apprehension of prostitutes. Police women’s options, as well as the therefore seen as are notorious harassers of street criminalisation of only the buyer rather having the right to prostitutes and often demand sex in than the seller. In essence, prostitutes exchange for indemnity. Laws are should not be treated as criminals but exploit the value of also selectively enforced, with escort rather as victims of circumstance. their sexual labour, agencies having long circumvented the law and successfully so. Police have 2. Prostitution as Violence and like any other labour, also discriminately targeted women Encouraging organised Crime in a legitimate bid suppliers, as opposed to male clients, “Then there are the ancillary to sustain their notwithstanding the fact that the harms: the rapes, the robberies and procurement of sex is also criminalised the inevitable beatings punctuated livelihoods. under new amendments. by shouts of “bitch” and “whore” and “slut”, gratuitously meted out by Decriminalisation is also seen as 3. Prostitution as exploitation of pimps, by johns and by the police. encouraging other forms of crime. Women These are the commonplace insults to The Netherlands, State of Victoria Some feminist perspectives oppose injury that are directed at prostitutes (Australia) and Germany have reported prostitution on the grounds that it simply because they are prostitutes.” increases in human trafficking as a result degrades and dehumanises women (Carter and Giobbe, cited by the SALC, of decriminalisation. This is largely by objectifying them and imposing Issue paper, 19 July 2002) because it is often difficult to distinguish a commercial value on the women’s Opponents have challenged the between voluntary prostitution and body. This gendered view hinges perspective that adult prostitution is a human trafficking. This distinction is on the fact that prostitution largely victimless act of service. Prostitution, at often meaningless to clients who do not trades in women and young girls, with its worst, is said to involve the repeated distinguish between voluntary versus clients almost being exclusively male. experience of violence and personal trafficked prostitutes. The demand that Prostitution is therefore seen as an violation, physical threat and disease, leads to human trafficking is exactly the intrinsic component of gender-based emotional pain and degradation. same as demand for prostitution. subjugation, reflecting the imbalance Kaplan (2001) paints the same Dissenting scholars (e.g. Davidson of power between women and men picture of the sex trade, describing et al ((1995); Fick (2006); Chapman in society more generally. Drawing prostitutes as being victims of constant (2005)), however, maintain that adult from the accounts of many a prostitute, violence. He says that prostitutes prostitution remains a vulnerable there is abundant evidence that are far too often forced to engage in trade largely as a consequence of prostitution allows men to consciously unprotected sex, and even robbed of criminalisation. They argue that oppress and coerce women into compensation by clients who threaten criminalisation exacerbates such satisfying ill-conceived fantasies of

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domination using economic and The micro reflects the macro question emerges about the role political power to legitimise control. contractions in society of criminal law in regulating social Decriminalisation therefore reinforces As diverse as the South African behaviour. Criminal law in South Africa the gender contradictions that plague sex-trade is, what is glaringly evident continues to criminalise prostitution. society today. is that ‘sex work’ tends to be divided The act of criminalisation is seen as a Proponents of decriminalisation, into particular types of social groupings. social mechanism that is used to coerce however, argue that adult prostitution South Africa’s sex industry is visibly members of society, through the threat serves a useful social function and segregated by race, gender and class and of pain and suffering, to abstain from does not necessarily debase women. is 'discriminatory' to an extraordinary conduct which is harmful to various Prostitution is seen as an assertion of degree. Women working in the interests of society (Milton 1993). Its sexual freedom and independence in most oppressive settings are almost objective is to promote the welfare of which a woman is able to determine exclusively black from delibilitated society and its members by establishing where and how she uses her own townships and/or rural areas. At the top and maintaining peace and order. body. This view sees prostitutes as free end of the market (i.e. teaser bars, escort Law makers have advanced various agents and not victims, with bargaining agencies, etc.), the racial composition is rationales for prohibiting commercial power equal to that of the client. sex work, most of which have found Opponents have basis on traditional concepts of morality 4. Prostitution as a Health Hazard which include prevention of sexually Research continues to report challenged the transmitted diseases; immorality; the high HIV/Aids incidence rates in perspective that prevention of public nuisances and prostitutes, despite reports of increased crime prevention. condom use and best practice for adult prostitution is However the British Wolfenden HIV/Aids prevention for the industry. a victimless act of Committee on Homosexual Offences Prostitutes in South Africa’s industry and Sex Work stated “it is not the continue to report condom use as being service. Prostitution, function of the law to intervene in responsible for client loss and more at its worst, is said to the private lives of citizens, or to seek frequent non-payment. Insistence on to enforce any particular behaviour condom use has also led to physical involve the repeated beyond what is necessary to carry abuse by clients, and clients have experience of violence out the functions outlined” (SALRC insisted on paying less for sex when a 2002: p. 36). condom was used. Health concerns are and personal violation, The Committee argues that the exacerbated by the fact that prostitutes physical threat function of the criminal law should be tend to have limited to or no access and disease, limited to preserving public order and to healthcare due to stigmatisation, as decency, to protect citizens from what well as the costs involved in accessing emotional pain and is ‘offensive or injurious’ and to provide basic HIV/Aids and STI health-care. degradation. sufficient safeguards against exploitation Concerns over the ‘spiral effects’ of and corruption of others, particularly the ‘ills of the trade’ therefore find those who are especially vulnerable, legitimate space, particularly amongst almost exclusively reversed. According which would include sex workers. families. to Davidson & Taylor (1995), South The Committee even refers to the Whereas high HIV/Aids prevalence Africa’s sex industry is made even more importance that society and the law rates raise serious questions about unpleasant by the fact that it finds its should give to individual freedom of the appropriateness of full current form reflecting in part the legacy choice in matters of private morality decriminalisation (which simply of the apartheid regime. It therefore stating that “Unless a deliberate removes all criminal laws without not only exploits the poverty and attempt is to be made by society, imposing health standards), limited the absence of alternative economic acting through the agency of the law, access to healthcare also raises opportunities for women and girls, but to equate the sphere of crime with that questions about the appropriateness feeds on the human suffering caused of sin, there must remain a realm of of criminalisation. It is an undisputed by the apartheid regime's particularly private morality and immorality which fact that a criminalised environment brutal distillation of racism, sexism and is, in brief and crude terms, not the makes it impossible to enforce health homophobia. South Africa’s sex industry law’s business.” standards and practices amongst therefore reflects the racial, gender and Lord Devlin, cited in the prostitutes. Criminal law often class contradictions prevalent in South Commission’s report, gives a counter- compounds the risks associated with Africa today. argument affirming that the ‘loosening the sex industry as it pushes sex trade of moral bonds’ is often the first underground and therefore denies The Role of Criminal Law in stage of disintegration of a society, prostitutes social protections, and regulating Social Behaviour and therefore society is justified in renders them vulnerable to abuse and Over and beyond varied political taking the same steps to preserve its exploitation. perspectives, a bigger philosophical moral code as it does to preserve

16 THE THINKER POLITICS its government and other essential unionised, and brothels operate like any do I think that prostitutes should be institutions: “The suppression of vice other legal business. New Zealand has treated as criminals as, more often is as much the law’s business as the also opted for decriminalisation in an than not, they are victims of structural suppression of subversive activities…” attempt to minimise the harm imposed inequality and broken society more Ackerman J (SALRC 2002: p. 38), a by an underground industry, whilst generally. However, I am fully aware Constitutional Court judge, emphasises emphasising that this is not intended that an ‘inappropriate’ legal response however that the Constitution does not to endorse or sanction prostitution further excercabates the conditions of debar the state from enforcing morality. as ‘meaningful employment’ nor a risk and vulnerability of these very same However, he does add the following morally accepted practice. women: a bad response is as good as cautionary note: “What is central to In some countries prostitution is legal no response at all. The best answer the character and functioning of the and regulated - for example Germany, must allow women to choose even the state, however, is that the dictates of Senegal, Turkey and the Australian state unorthodox; provided it is based on the morality which it enforces, and actual choice, building her spirit as she the limits to which it may go, are to Most women are thrives on the best of humanity. be found in the text and spirit of the There are no easy answers, only Constitution itself.” coerced or physically difficult questions. The Constitutional Court (Ackermann forced into a life of But the state can no longer ‘turn a J and Goldstone J) also argues that blind eye’ to the shocking realities of though under common law and ‘sex for sale’ and the industry. The ills that characterise section 39(2) of the Constitution ‘policy cannot escape. This the industry persist despite the decisions’ and ‘value judgments’, have intentions of criminal law. Policy- to reflect ‘the wishes, often unspoken, coercion comes either makers are therefore obliged to take and the perceptions, often but dimly in the forms of ‘direct’ cognisance of the intricate nuances discerned, of the people’, a balance had that characterise the sex industry and to be struck between the interests of the coercion (for example, to ask themselves both theoretical, as parties and the conflicting interests of trafficking), or indirect well as tactical questions, as follows: the community according to the court’s forms resulting • What should be the ideological perceptions of what justice demanded. thrust(s) that inform South Africa’s They suggest that the above concepts from the economic legal response and how do you should be replaced, or supplemented marginalisation of deal decisively with the material and/or enriched by the appropriate contradictions? norms of the objective value system women. • How do we give programmatic embodied by the Constitution of the expression to the constitutional Republic. of Victoria. In such cases, prostitutes are obligations imposed on the state to obliged to register as sex workers, must extend protection to society’s most International best practice work in brothels, and undertake regular vulnerable citizens? It is interesting to note the great HIV/Aids testing, etc. • What kind of society do we want to variety of legal responses across In other countries, prostitution is build? What are the imperatives of the globe and the relationship with partially criminalised. In Japan, for our social transformation project? ideological orientation and political example, only vaginal prostitution • How do you find alignment culture. is illegal. In Canada and Bulgaria, between competing social ideals, In Muslim countries, for example, it prostitution is legal but it is illegal for whilst respecting the plurality of is a criminal offence for any person to parties to negotiate a sexual contract South African society? be involved in adult prostitution, and in public space, including bars. In • What is the role of criminal law in is punishable by means of the death Denmark, Brazil and Costa Rica only regulating social behaviour and in penalty. Prostitution is also criminalised profiting from prostitution by others shaping the kind of society we want in Norway, Thailand, Namibia, Nigeria, is illegal. to build? Swaziland, Uganda, Tanzania, , • What is the best response bearing in Cote d’Ivoire and in 49 of the states Closing remarks mind prevailing circumstances? of the United States of America. In Personally, as the writer, I am torn • How do we frame our response the 1840s Sweden had legalised and on the subject matter and have not in ways that unite rather than regulated prostitution, but since the yet found final resolve. My instinctive polarise, mobilising society towards 1990s Sweden has again criminalised response is that no girl-child nor adult a treasured unity premised on a prostitution on the grounds of sexual women should be forced to trade shared vision for the future? exploitation of women and gender in sex in a legitimate bid to sustain Whatever the policy approach to violence. livelihoods. Secondly, I do not believe prostitution, policy-makers are obliged In the Netherlands, prostitution that the vagina should be commodified to introduce measures that will deal is decriminalised. In this instance, and commercialised: the vagina is not decisively and strategically with the prostitutes as tax paying citizens, are for sale nor is it on auction. Neither challenges mentioned above. 

Volume 42 / 2012 17 POLITICS © Shutterstock.com

The Century of the Woman

Based on Sankara’s thinking, until society makes a conscious effort to emancipate its women, we can never achieve the greater dream of emancipation of all people: the two go hand in hand.

By Amanda Mbali Dlamini

n December 10, 2009, the Necessity has also propelled women many people now rejecting the feminist 21st century was officially to independence. In modern society label in favour of the seemingly more Odeclared "The Century of more and more women are the sole politically correct term: Humanist. Yet the Woman,” following great strides providers in their households. it is worth asking whether there is still a made in the 20th century to promote The era of feminism was very useful need for feminism. women’s rights, allowing women into to the progression of women as it Most religious sectors are established the work-place and, to a small extent, allowed them to have a collective voice from a patriarchal point-of-view. into leadership. This past century saw and address various injustices that Although other sectors of society have women start to reject the ‘in-the- affect women such as social, political embraced the equality of women, kitchen-barefoot’ stereotype and start and economic equality to men. Yet, religious entities are lagging behind. to claim their independence from the term now, incorrectly, carries quite This is most evident in one of the most traditional roles which limited them negative connotations as it is associated divisive issues where religious sectors to being wives, home-makers and with a war women are waging against are unwilling to waver, the issue of mothers. Although these noble roles men. Again, very incorrectly, most termination of pregnancy and women’s still remain a large part of women’s feminists are seen as aggressive, bitter rights to contraception. Having worked lives, they no longer constitute the and determined to cause dissent in the Reproductive Health Sector, it only dreams women are entitled to. between the sexes. This has resulted in is apparent that although social and

18 THE THINKER POLITICS economic imbalances are the main delayed in making important decisions century as The Century of the Woman cause of unplanned pregnancies as a result of too much information.” suggests a mind-shift into embracing amongst young women, religious These days leaders are required to feminine qualities as essential for sectors are more concerned with the not only trust their subordinates due effective, transformational leadership. morality of the act of taking a life, rather to the quality of information they’ll There has been a lot of debate as to than the social conditions that lead to receive from them in order to make whether the plight of women can be teenage pregnancy. Other woman- quality decisions, but to also filter compared to that of oppressed races specific issues that feminists often through large amounts of data and across the world. The issue of those in advocate include the right of women to intuitively make the best decisions power taking advantage of that power decide their sexual orientation as well whilst considering not just the bottom against those more vulnerable is a as other issues that relate to women line, but also various factors such as the universal one. Thomas Sankara once being victimised because of their environment, sustainability and also stated: “Posing the question of women gender. So it could be argued, before the impact on people. The complexity in Burkinabè society today means society embraces Humanism, it is still requires leaders to think multi-laterally posing the abolition of the system vital to consider those women-specific of slavery to which they have been issues that feminists bring to the fore subjected for millennia. The first step and to address those prior to moving It is well known is to try to understand how this system forward as equals. that women are often works, to grasp its real nature in all its The reason the 21st century has been more collaborative subtlety, in order then to work out a line declared The Century of the Woman of action that can lead to women’s total goes deeper than the fact that women and intuitive in emancipation. In other words, in order are now equal to men and need to be their approach to to win this battle that men and women acknowledged as such. When it comes have in common, we must be familiar to the issues affecting the globe today problem solving with all aspects of the woman question (environmental, war, conflicts, social, than men. In the on a world scale and here in Burkina. economic), the world is calling for a We must understand how the struggle woman’s touch in its leaders. Harvard digital age, where of the Burkinabè woman is part of a Professor Marty Linsky stated in an global connectedness worldwide struggle of all women and, article that Barack Obama is USA’s beyond that, part of the struggle for first woman president. “He is pushing via the internet the full rehabilitation of our continent. against conventional wisdom in various has substantially Thus, women’s emancipation is at the important ways, with approaches that heart of the question of humanity itself, are usually thought of as qualities increased access to here and everywhere. The question is and values that women bring to information, the old thus universal in character.” Based on organizational life: a commitment to saying ‘Knowledge is Sankara’s thinking, until society makes inclusiveness in problem solving, deep a conscious effort to emancipate its optimism, modesty about knowing all Power’ has lost some women, we can never achieve the the answers, the courage to deliver of its relevance. greater dream of emancipation of all uncomfortable news, not taking on all people: the two go hand in hand. the work alone, and a willingness to air According to the organisation that dirty linen. (Linsky, 2008). and wear multiple hats at the same established the vision for The Century It is well known that women are time in order to lead effectively. Again, of the Woman, the goals for this often more collaborative and intuitive this is a characteristic that women are century are the following: in their approach to problem solving able to bring to the workplace with • The full empowerment of all women than men. In the digital age, where ease. (full and equal education, equal global connectedness via the internet In his latest book, Attuned legal rights and, equal access and has substantially increased access to Leadership, Dr Reuel Khoza stresses fairness in economic and financial information, the old saying ‘Knowledge the importance of humanness when power areas). is Power’ has lost some of its relevance. he states: “The attuned leader • The recognition and expansion of According to Avanade “Across combines compassion, vision, moral women's equal and indispensable industries, regions and companies duty and good governance, seeking to partnership with men essential to large and small, executives report the encompass even those who may not be creating a lasting and sustainable exponential growth in data and ability to regarded as followers. To be attuned prosperity for all. access to critical information is creating is to strive for harmony with the It is clear that for any system very real business challenges. More followership, seeking to fulfil a larger of oppression to be perpetuated, than half of business executives, 56 destiny by reaching for transformative ignorance and economic dependence percent, report they feel overwhelmed goals.” Both men and women have a are key weapons. Although it is not by the amount of data their company role to play in the success of the 21st my belief that this is a war between manages. Many report they are often century, yet the declaration of the men and women, it is a war against a

Volume 42 / 2012 19 POLITICS

social system that has allowed women A couple of years ago, Maria Ramos opportunities to lead, but the mind-shift to continue to be victims due to their launched a programme with the for many has not yet taken place. Even ignorance and economic dependence. Gordon’s Institute for Business Science today most women do not believe they Therefore one of the fundamental (GIBS) called Imbokodo, Leading have what it takes. That alone is more cornerstones of reversing the problem Women. The aim of the programme important than any policies that are in is the education of women. My is to develop women in executive place: women need to feel empowered mother once told me this story of her positions in order to establish value- to lead and to believe that they can do uncle who only had enough money based leadership skills that transcend it successively. The next key driver to to take one of his kids to school, and just emulating men in order to lead reaching the goal of grooming future needed someone to help out with effectively, but foster Authentic women leaders is mentorship. Those the house chores whilst the other leadership that embraces your nature with the practical experience can guide child is away. The uncle decided that as a woman and a leader. Having younger women and prevent them he’d go to the school and request that graduated from Leading Women, I from making similar mistakes in their the daughter studies from January learnt a lot of practical leadership own lives. I’ve had the pleasure to have to June, then the son from July to women like Futhi Mtoba, December, because they’d occupy and Makano Morejele as mentors. one seat in the classroom at a time. The Very incorrectly Their guidance, wisdom and humility teachers at the school explained that most feminists are is truly inspiring. There’s an African it didn’t work like that, so he had to seen as aggressive, proverb that goes: ‘Lift as you climb.’ make a choice between the son getting As a young executive, I cherish the an education or the daughter; he chose bitter and determined wisdom of more experienced women the son. to cause dissent leaders, yet I also acknowledge my Although this was often not the desire role as a mentor to younger women, of the parents, with limited resources, between the sexes. which is why I was excited to be part it was known that the son had better This has resulted in of Nolitha (meaning a ray of sunshine), chances of getting work and helping this is a programme instituted by out the family than the daughter, many people now Nombuyiselo Shabangu from Deloitte. so he was the better investment. As rejecting the feminist The program allows female executives stated in the African Women’s Report to go into underprivileged high schools for 2009, “Improvements are still label in favour of and offer mentorship to young women. required in the education sector the seemingly more In African culture, it takes a village to to push some African countries raise a child, and the role of a mentor towards achieving the MDG targets in politically correct term: is one of the best gifts a young person education. Access to and retention Humanist. Yet it is can have at her disposal. levels in most countries are worth asking whether In a recent radio interview I was demonstrating that the sector is in asked the question: What three words peril. In particular, the majority of there is still a need do you most associate with who you countries demonstrate lack of capacity for feminism. are? My immediate response was to ensure continuity of both boys and that I’m firstly a woman, I can relate girls from primary to secondary level. to no other universal group as I can These patterns show clearly that girls skills, but the most impactful part of with women. The other two, I’m an tend to be excluded with progression the programme for me was learning African and I’m an artist. My identity, up the educational ladder.” that within me I have the qualities it personality and life’s purpose is linked Having explored the 21st century’s takes to lead. The programme involved to those three things, but of all three, need for women in leadership and exploring my values, my personal the greatest one is that I’m a woman. also reviewed the various challenges leadership qualities as well as my blind- I have been raised by a mother who that continue to impact women and spots and how those I lead experience always instilled in me the knowledge society, the most logical next step is me. John Maxwell, in his book The 21 that there is nothing I cannot achieve, to observe what ought to be done Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, states if I put my mind and heart into it. That to bridge the gaps. As with most that leadership is about influence, alone has driven me to excel, to know global issues, the future of our society nothing more, and nothing less. So it’s that the term ‘woman’ is not a burden depends largely on our leadership. clear that after all is said and done, a but a blessing, and being the woman The future requires leaders who leader needs to influence those they that I am, I’ve come to embrace the fact will embrace the role of women in lead. The better attuned leaders are that I have a role to play in the future society, but more importantly, will to their followers and the better they success of my country and continent. nurture and grow the competence of know themselves, the more influence It’s amazing to go through life knowing women in various sectors, the most they can exercise. that you were born at the right place, important of these being women in In the days of BBBEE, in theory at the right time, for the right purpose. leadership. women are now given plenty of To Lead. 

20 THE THINKER JHB 36499

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he ANC celebrates its 100 years of illustrious history and TUmkhonto we Sizwe celebrates 51 years. In celebrating Women's Day, we cannot ignore nor forget the revolutionary zeal of the women of Umkhonto we Sizwe in executing their military tasks. They executed political missions of mass mobilisation through many ways in and out of the country. They defended the camps, property of Umkhonto we Sizwe and the peoples © Mayibuye Archives, University of the Western Cape Western the of University Archives, Mayibuye © of the host countries that opened their hearts and homes to the young South African Freedom Fighters. Popularly known as uMzana by their male counterparts, and as previously written about, as 's Flowers of the Revolution, the Izintombi zomkhonto were an illuminating feature of the "people's army", inspired by many great female revolutionaries and combatants who graced the armed forces of liberation movements across the globe. These were young women who came from all over the country, driven by their quest to liberate the oppressed masses of our people. Young women who chose the people above self. Young women who had to forego their youth and childhood to bear the yoke of liberating the people of South Africa. Young women who had to postpone child bearing and marriage in some instances, as this was not a primary focus of the growth of these women. Celebrating They were young women who did not let their femininity get in the way of their ideals and aspirations but led from the front, advancing the vision Umkhonto of the African National Congress. They were the women of the Luthuli, June 16, Mmadinoge, Moncada, the Young Lions and other detachments we Sizwe that came after them: young, militant, hugely disciplined and patriotic. Tracing some of these gallant female combatants to find out where they are They were the women of the Luthuli, June in life today is a nostalgic experience that always makes the eyes smart, 16, Mmadinoge, Moncada, the Young Lions thinking of where they come from and other detachments that came after them: and where we are today. Some are very poor and struck by shame and young, militant, hugely disciplined and patriotic. sadness for the societal situations they find themselves in, others prospering and gracing the corridors of power in By Ayanda Dlodlo both the public and private sectors.

22 THE THINKER HISTORY

Yet many more did not live to see the rallying voices of the women of the liberation like Solomon Mahlangu, she freedom that we are so abundantly world supporting the call for the stay would be reminded so brutally of the blessed with. of execution of many MK soldiers. We pain that she had tried over years to As the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military remember the support given to the deal with. Veterans Association we also pay tribute mothers of those on death row facing This year we will celebrate the to those women who were not trained the hangman’s noose. women of MK by paying a special members of MK but worked with We think of the family of Nokuthula tribute to Nokuthela Dube, the first wife MK combatants in strengthening the Simelane who was killed and whose of President , underground. Some of these women, remains have never been found. She whose grave lies in . like , paid a was a young woman who refused to Through the beautiful work of Professor heavy price for this and languished in give information on any of her contacts Cherif Keita, a Malian historian, we are solitary confinement and gave birth in and ended up being killed. And those reminded of this heroic revolutionary the cells at Sun City Prison. Winnie scars of the past will never fade for in a documentary and in the unveiling Mandela, the ever willing soldier of the the Simelane family as the Truth and of her tombstone in August. people, made it a little easier to link Reconciliation process did not unearth August 9 in the camps of Angola, some with their networks in the rear the truth about their child's mortal Tanzania and Uganda were days through couriers she had established remains. celebrated through song, dance and and her ability to relate directly with In an insensitive world that expects sport. Male comrades treated us to Lusaka in conveying messages and the best they could offer: relatively receiving directives. This history that good food, some sweets or chocolate Mama Albertina Sisulu made it a was pervasive in from the black market in Luanda, and little easier to get medical attention bananas. It was these little things that for those who required emergency its depiction of under a normal society we take for treatment after skirmishes with the the hardships and granted, that to us was utmost luxury enemy. in a place of nothing but camaraderie, MaNhlapho continues to work sorrow that South sweat and sometimes hunger. It was with ex-combatants two decades into African women this day that reminded us how special our liberation, but still displays that we were not only in the eyes of those motherly care to those that encounter endured in a brutal that shared the trenches with us, but her even today as they did during system of murder, those who also remembered us in the period of the armed struggle. torture, subjugation, other parts of the world and celebrated MaNhlapho also had the unfortunate the great march to the Union Buildings experience of being arrested and disenfranchisement with us. served many months in and out of and deprivation. It was this history that rooted us detention. She has the emotional deeply in the culture of resistance scars to bear testimony to this brutal and militancy. This history that was harassment. us to move on and forget about the pervasive in its depiction of the There are many more such women past, how do we rest with Nokuthula’s hardships and sorrow that South who shall always be remembered remains lying somewhere unknown? African women endured in a brutal and celebrated by those of us who And with those that killed her still system of murder, torture, subjugation, understand the pain and brutality of intransingent and not wanting to put disenfranchisement and deprivation. the past. the family’s pain to rest? Would it be This was the history that gave us But so too shall we remember irresponsible to feel that we could the strength to endure the difficulties the struggles of the male comrades not truly trust every white man on the of camp life that was difficult for men of exile who fought tirelessly for the street who could very well have been but worse for women. A life where emancipation of the oppressed women Nokuthula's killer? even when you were pregnant and did of South Africa and ensured that This is a country where the not even realise you were, there was even in the ANC and throughout the insensitivity is shown about the no ante-natal clinic or a choice of food alliance, our voice was heard. This was struggles, pain and loss of Black people to feed your cravings. There, too, was a voice that resonated in the streets and these are made into a satirical joke the danger of a horrible miscarriage of Johannesburg, the factory floors of by the likes of Brett Murray in his crude because of the harsh training regime Cape Town, the sugar cane fields of vulgarisation of Solomon Mahlangu's that we all had to go through that Durban, and everywhere in the country last words as he walked to his death. did not take into account the female where the ANC had established a voice One would not even begin to physique and delicate anatomy when and a presence. imagine the pain that must have been one was with child. One thinks too of the mother to felt once again by Solomon Mahlangu's You could very well have been 19 year old Andrew Zondo who was mother that, in a democratic country in your second trimester before you sentenced to death and hanged at whose constitution calls for the discovered you were pregnant. The the age of 20. We remember the honouring of those who fought for this emotional pain that followed this was

Volume 42 / 2012 23 HISTORY © Baileys African History Archives History African Baileys ©

Over 80,000 organised and disciplined volunteers deliberately broke Apartheid laws and were jailed. These women, some in volunteer uniforms and some in traditional regalia, are from the Eastern Cape.

occasioned by the knowledge that you proudly when the leadership Marxism, Leninism, the history of would have to be leaving the camp, asked, “who do you serve, other liberation movements, ‘the cutting short your training and losing comrades”, and in their shrill Volokolomsk Highway’ and other the prospect of going back home as military voices answered, “we politically motivating pieces of a fully trained combatant to fight the serve the people of South Africa”. literature. enemy. This is the military generation ‘Flowers of the revolution’ Last year we marked and celebrated of our armed struggle that carried was a term coined by one of the the 50th anniversary of Umkhonto we 25kg base plates on their backs best leaders this world has ever Sizwe. At that time reflecting upon the for kilometres on end in a tactics produced. This was a term of trials, tribulations, joys and sorrows of or artillery class. endearment given to the women women M.K freedom fighters I wrote This is the breed of women of MK by the commander-in- (City Press, 7 August, 2011): who sang “Dubula ibhunu” chief of MK – comrade president Our MK, our ANC, our fellow and other liberation songs with Oliver Reginald Tambo. fighters were proud of us. We commitment and aplomb – as if As we celebrate Women’s Day were few but mighty. their world depended on it. towards the 50th anniversary of Barely adults and in the spring These are the women the formation of MK, let us bow of our adolescence, these were who traversed the gorges and our heads for the young girls but some of the many girls from swamps and springs in the bush of the 60s, 70s and 80s who Soweto, Tumahole, Mdantsane, of Angola, learning the art of sacrificed their childhood and Sobantu village, Gugulethu, war with bazookas, PKMs, AK youth for the liberation of all Potchefstroom and other 47s, maps and compasses to South Africans. townships who would not and hone their skills for use in their In all, this was a life well lived, with did not spare limb or life for the fight against a brutal system of all its hardships. It was such a fulfilling liberation of our people. criminality perpetuated against feeling to be part of an army of young These were the teenagers black people. men and women who put the people of yesteryear who responded These are the women who read above self. 

24 THE THINKER Sandton | Square | Eastgate | Clearwater 011 784 0206, [email protected] www.bellagiojewellers.co.za Volume 42 / 2012 25 RELIGION

© Shutterstock.com Why forsake Muslim women?

Speculation abounds that the contentious nature of the 2010 Muslim Marriages Bill is the reason that government is not moving forward with its enactment. In fact, it has been 15 months since the DoJ received submissions on the 2010 MMB and the public has not yet heard one word about the outcome of that process.

By Waheeda Amien

26 THE THINKER RELIGION

s we celebrate our 18th Women’s But what of the government’s MMB) was a product of extensive Month since the advent of constitutional obligation to come to consultations between the Project Ademocracy in South Africa, we the aid of vulnerable women who are Committee and various Muslim should pause to consider those aspects married by Muslim rites? Section 7(2) organisations and individuals as well of our gender struggle that are still of the Constitution obliges the state to as broader civil society that spanned ongoing. For the purposes of this article, “respect, protect, promote and fulfill nearly four years. Although the end I would like to focus on one important the rights in the Bill of Rights.” And product did not meet all the demands feature, namely, the struggle of women since sections 9 and 15(3)(a) protect of all the role-players, it was certainly married by Muslim rites. the rights of all respectively to be a document that most felt that they As many may be aware, Muslim treated equally before the law, to have could live with. For instance, gender marriages are not legal in South Africa. equal protection and benefit of the activists within the Muslim community The effects of this are far-reaching on all law, to not be unfairly discriminated and broader civil society argued that affected parties. For instance, women against on the basis of religion, gender the 2003 MMB was not absolutely and men married by Muslim rites do and sex, and to have their religious consistent with gender equality but it not enjoy the same legal status as their marriages recognised through the certainly promised more protection civil law counterparts. They also do enactment of legislation, one has to to women than they presently have. not enjoy all civil law benefits that are wonder why such legislation has not Given the vast range of interests that available to their civil law counterparts. yet been enacted? were at play, it is fair to say that the For example, if one of the parties is a 2003 MMB comprised a reasonable beneficiary of a state-funded pension Given the vast compromise between extreme scheme and in the event that her/his positions. It purported to regulate marriage is dissolved, her/his spouse range of interests Muslim family law within an Islamic would not be an automatic beneficiary of that were at play, it law framework while maintaining that scheme, although civil law spouses for the most part, compatibility married in community of property is fair to say that the with constitutional principles. It also would be. Furthermore, children born 2003 MMB comprised contained innovative mechanisms for of parties married by Muslim rites bear the management of religious marriages the stigma of illegitimacy. a reasonable within a secular legal framework such Moreover, women married by compromise between as the requirement that adjudication of Muslim rites are disproportionately opposed matters arising from the MMB affected because discriminatory extreme positions. should be presided over by a Muslim interpretations of Islamic law by ulamã judge coupled with Islamic law experts (Muslim clergy) often preclude them Casting our minds back to the acting as assessors. from being able to access their Islamic negotiations period preceding the Whether it was intended to be so or law benefits. Even where ulamã are 1994 democratic elections, one also not, the inclusion of such a provision well-intentioned and order husbands has to wonder what happened to the was responsive to an important lesson to comply with their marital obligations electoral promise that the ANC had learnt from the 1985 Indian case of such as nafaqah (maintenance), their made to the Muslim community when Shah Bano. The Shah Bano case had ‘orders’ are unenforceable. In addition, they assured them that their religious resulted in huge outcries by extremist non-recognition of Muslim marriages marriages would be recognised once Indian Muslims who had been outraged prevents women from challenging the ANC attained power. that an all-Hindu Supreme Court bench discriminatory interpretations of Islamic Certainly, since 1994, processes had pronounced on issues relating to law or accessing their Islamic law have been put in place in an attempt Islamic law. This was also the biggest benefits in secular courts. to draft legislation to recognise Muslim point of contention among the South So where does that leave women marriages. The first attempt in 1994 African ulamã relating to Muslim who are married by Muslim rites? through the establishment of the marriages being regulated within Particularly those who are financially Muslim Personal Law Board failed due a secular framework; namely, that vulnerable? In short: without much to ideological differences among the disputes relating to Muslim family law legal protection. Admittedly, to a great members of the Board. However, the should be adjudicated by Muslims. Yet extent, the judiciary has attempted to second attempt by the South African the Project Committee recommended provide relief to vulnerable women Law Reform Commission Project a unique solution by proposing to have whose cases were able to make it to Committee in 1999 appeared to enjoy Islamic law experts assist in the secular court. But judicial intervention (without greater success with the submission judicial decision-making process, which legislative intervention) still requires to the Minister of Justice and was supported by many members of the women to proactively institute their Constitutional Development (Minister) South African ulamã. actions and to draw on their financial in 2003 of a comprehensive Report Given that there had been general and emotional resources to sustain them coupled with draft legislation for the consensus among moderate members through the legal battles. Consequently, recognition of Muslim marriages. This of the South African 2003 MMB, which many women fall by the wayside. 2003 Muslim Marriages Bill (2003 resulted in some amendments being

Volume 42 / 2012 27 RELIGION

made to the 2003 MMB. An amended the widespread belief among Muslims in the MMB or not, but their inclusion MMB was subsequently submitted by the that Islamic law must be adjudicated may provide to those members of the DoJ to Cabinet and thereafter approved by Muslims, and in the second ulamã who deem it necessary, the by Cabinet in 2010. Consequently, instance, the ulamã perceived the comfort of knowing that they have there did not seem to be any need for arbitration process as the opportunity been explicitly provided for. the WLC to re-launch its application in through which they would be able to As far as compulsory arbitration the High Court. The DoJ then opened continue regulating Muslim family law versus voluntary mediation is the process for consultation by inviting within the community. Their fear is concerned, the Qur’ãn provides the public to tender submissions on the that the recommendation for voluntary guidance. In the case of marital disputes, 2010 MMB and set 31 May 2011 as the mediation may decrease their ambit Qur’ãn 4:35 encourages parties to each deadline to receive submissions. A flurry of intervention. Notwithstanding the obtain a representative to assist them of activity within civil society ensued changes to the 2010 MMB, moderate in trying to resolve their differences. with organisations and individuals trying members of the ulamã, progressive This injunction appears to support to make their opinions heard about the Muslims and gender activists within our contemporary understanding of MMB. The pace stepped up a notch civil society have not rejected outright mediation, which is a process that when the media became involved and the 2010 MMB because they view the aims to facilitate a resolution, which debates about the viability of legislation changes as areas that are still up for through the guidance of a third party, that purports to recognise a minority discussion. In other words, they are parties arrive at themselves rather than religious marriage dominated the public willing to negotiate with the DoJ to have a ruling imposed on them. The domain. fine-tune the MMB where necessary. discretion that the 2010 MMB proposes Interestingly, the amendments for the parties to first try to mediate affected by the DoJ resulted There is also the their dispute therefore appears to be simultaneously in a greater degree consistent with the spirit of Qur’ãn 4:35. of secularisation and Islamisation of 1998 Recognition of And the replacement of arbitration with the 2010 MMB than was reflected in Customary Marriages mediation will not preclude the ulamã the 2003 MMB. Unsurprisingly, this Act, which afforded legal from making their mediation services caused some consternation among recognition to customary available. those who had previously supported As for the concern about the the 2003 MMB especially since the marriages. Why then increased Islamisation of the MMB, the changes appeared to have been made is the same respect not solution is quite simple. Where it is not without consulting the relevant role- being shown to Muslims, needed, it should be removed because players within civil society. particularly Muslim for the purposes of adjudicating the Moderate members of the ulamã MMB, the MMB needs to provide as were concerned that the MMB women? much clarity to the presiding officer had been secularised in a way that as possible. However, if, for instance, they did not find comfortable and In my view, the changes are not the definition of Islamic law remains, progressive Muslims were dismayed insurmountable. If one considers the it should be as inclusive as possible at the increased Islamisation of the practicalities of securing a Muslim judge because the sources of Islamic law 2010 MMB. An example of the latter to preside over MMB related disputes, are not limited to just the very few is the inclusion of a definition of it is understandable that the DoJ would mentioned in the MMB. There are Islamic law, which limits its sources have removed that requirement given several other examples of Islamisation in a way that may prevent progressive the paucity of Muslim judges within throughout the MMB, which could interpretations of Muslim family law our judiciary; not to mention the benefit from the same approach. For from being applied to disputes arising normative challenge of having to figure example, the requirement that a Family from the MMB. Examples of the out how to determine whether or not Advocate must have regard to Islamic increased secularisation of the 2010 a judge is Muslim. However, it does customs when trying to determine who MMB include: firstly, the removal of seem reasonable that in a matter where should have guardianship, custody and the requirement that disputes arising clear guidance is not provided in the access of a minor child is unnecessary from the MMB should be adjudicated MMB itself, the opinion of an Islamic and dangerous because one is expecting by Muslim judges and Islamic law law expert should be sought. So there a civil servant who may not have any experts; and secondly, while the 2003 is no reason why the MMB cannot knowledge of Islamic law or customs MMB obliged parties to seek binding include a provision that enables a judge to make a pronouncement on just that. arbitration prior to adjudication, the to, where applicable, either use Islamic As indicated above, pronouncements 2010 MMB enables parties to subject law experts as assessors or as witnesses on Islamic law that arise from the MMB their dispute to voluntary mediation. to testify as experts, which in turn should best be left to a secular judge in It is not surprising that the increased would assist the judge in the decision- consultation with Islamic law experts. secularisation met with unhappiness making process. These options are in In addition to the changes that on the part of moderate members of any event available in our legal system, appear in the 2010 MMB, niggly the ulamã, given in the first instance, whether they are expressly included concerns that existed in the 2003

28 THE THINKER RELIGION

MMB persist in the 2010 MMB. For operate with relatively equal bargaining extremists and secular extremists gender activists, the issues of unequal powers would be better positioned who do not support the enactment of divorce and a default matrimonial to negotiate a regime that is out of any legislation to recognise Muslim property regime of out of community community of property; therefore the marriages because they advocate a of property are ones that they still option to do so should be available in strict separation between religion and hope can be changed. Again, the the legislation but it should not be the state, a position that is at odds with solution is not complicated and is in default option. our Constitution. Furthermore, there fact available in Islamic law. The 2010 A third issue that has left both are those gender activists who expect MMB recognises the main forms of the ulamã and gender activists in a the MMB to be 100% consistent with divorce that are available to husbands bit of a quandary is the ‘opt in, opt gender equality before they will support and wives including talãq and khul’a. out’ provisions of the 2010 MMB. it. Yet, those who reject the MMB Talãq enables a husband to unilaterally comprise a minority view even though repudiate his wife at any time and One simply has to they tend to make the most noise. without having to show fault. Khul’a is Nevertheless, speculation abounds meant to serve as the wife’s counter- think of the recognition that the contentious nature of the 2010 balance to her husband’s right to talãq of same-sex marriages MMB is the reason that government is by enabling the wife to release herself through the enactment of not moving forward with its enactment. from the marriage on a no-fault basis the 2006 Civil Union Act In fact, it has been 15 months since the provided she returns her mahr (dower). DoJ received submissions on the 2010 Unfortunately, the 2010 MMB requires and the permissibility of MMB and the public has not yet heard the husband’s approval of the financial abortion through the 1996 one word about the outcome of that compensation that a wife pays to him Choice on Termination of process. The media furor also died before khul’a can be effected. This down after the 31 May 2011 deadline interpretation of khul’a does not accord Pregnancy Act. Both pieces expired. But surely the lack of consensus with Prophetic tradition, Qur’ãnic of legislation were highly around the 2010 MMB cannot be the injunction (2:229) or the way khul’a controversial and drew real reason that the process seems to is understood in most majority Muslim great ire from almost every have been halted (again); especially countries. For instance, the divorce since it is not unusual for government laws of Egypt, Nigeria, Bangladesh, religious quarter in the to enact contentious legislation. For Pakistan and Philippines do not country. Yet, government instance, one simply has to think of require a husband’s permission before went ahead and respected, the recognition of same-sex marriages khul’a is granted. If the less onerous protected, promoted through the enactment of the 2006 interpretation of khul’a is adopted, it Civil Union Act and the permissibility would go a long way toward equalising and fulfilled the rights of of abortion through the 1996 Choice the position between husbands and vulnerable parties who on Termination of Pregnancy Act. wives in Muslim marriages. would benefit from those Both pieces of legislation were highly As for the default matrimonial controversial and drew great ire from property regime of out of community enactments. almost every religious quarter in the of property: if one considers that country. Yet, government went ahead a Muslim marriage is a contract The 2010 MMB proposes that it will and respected, protected, promoted between two parties whereby they apply automatically to parties who are and fulfilled the rights of vulnerable are free to contract the terms of their currently married by Muslim rites but parties who would benefit from those marriage as they choose, then gender they would have the option to ‘opt out’; enactments. There is also the 1998 activists’ contention that the default while parties who enter into Muslim Recognition of Customary Marriages regime should be in community of marriages after the MMB is enacted or Act, which afforded legal recognition property does not flout Islamic law. who currently have both Muslim and to customary marriages. In fact, the default regime could be civil marriages will have the option to Why then is the same respect not anything provided the parties are free ‘opt in’. The ulamã would prefer that being shown to Muslims, particularly to contract out of it. The determining the only option should be ‘opt in’ while Muslim women? Whatever the reason, factor, however, should be what gender activists argue that the option government has an obligation to would be the best default option for should be ‘opt out’ in both instances. provide legislative relief to Muslims. the most vulnerable party in a Muslim The justification for the latter position The next step should either be for marriage, especially one who is in an is to protect the more vulnerable party the DoJ to bring together those who unequal position to contract the terms who is unable to assert her/his rights. are interested in working with the of her/his marriage. In that case, the in In light of the above, it seems clear 2010 MMB so that they can try to community of property regime makes that the 2010 MMB is contentious even develop a workable solution that the most sense because it provides for those who support the enactment does not negate the rights of Muslim a fair distribution of the estate upon of legislation to recognise Muslim women or allow the MMB to enter the dissolution of the marriage. Those who marriages. There are also those Muslim parliamentary process. 

Volume 42 / 2012 29 POLITICS

THE POWER OF THINKING WOMEN © SAWID

Transformative action for a kinder world

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the newly-elected chair of the African Union Commission

SAWID is determined to work towards the material and social sustainability of individuals and communities, not by fixing old systems, but by creating targeted, holistic, and coordinated interventions that will result in measurable changes to the day to day conditions of women and the girl-child.

By Marthe Muller

hen women are We are fortunate to live in unrest around the globe, flowing from excluded from effective extraordinary, if deeply unsettling, the legitimate aspirations of millions “Weconomic participation, times. Cracks in the global macro- of people for equality, social and they are deprived of the right to economic framework and continuing economic freedom, and for meaningful productive existence and exerting conflicts over resources in various parts participation in the governance of their their influence on society and the of the world are confirming that our societies, show that, above all, people environment.” (Dr Vuyo Mahlati, in most basic survival strategies for life matter, and that people can only Women and the Economy, July 2012) on earth are seriously flawed. Social sustain what they can participate in.

30 THE THINKER POLITICS

Eighteen years after the end of Pheko, Mandisa Tsotsi, the late Prof Management, Conflict Resolution, apartheid, a political system that Harriet Ngubane, , Prof Effective Parenting, Craft work, Food systematically set out to cripple Hlengiwe Mkhize, Dr Thandi Ndlovu, Gardening and Basic Computer Skills. the human potential of the majority Wendy Lucas Bull, Suraya Bibi Khan, The founding Trustees of the of the inhabitants of this country, Baby Tyawa, Thoko Mpumlwana, organisation included Zanele Mbeki, women and poor families in South Gernia van Niekerk, and others, to Irene Charnley, Wendy Lucas Bull and Africa continue to face tremendous celebrate the achievements of women Mathabo Kunene. obstacles to reaching their full human and the nation since 1994, to identify In 2004 young women demanded, potential. and address on-going challenges, and and received, their own Young Given that women are the most to envision a plan towards a post- Women in Dialogue Forum when likely to be poor and marginalised, 2004 future. they complained that their interests due to the continuing impact of gender The success of this initiative, and the were not being addressed by older inequality, power relations between healing nature of the barrier-breaking women who were out of touch with men and women, and the burden of and leadership intervention that the interests and challenges faced by unpaid care-work that women bear, younger women. The first YSAWID it is women themselves who have to Chairperson, Oya Hazel Gumede, show the way towards transformational Eighteen years was co-opted into the Global Youth and holistic interventions that heal after the end Millennium Development Goals the wounds caused by a brutal and (MDG) Forum at the United Nations brutalising past; interventions that of apartheid, a Commission on the Status of Women imbed self-reliance and freedom from political system that in 2005, and later nominated to be drudgery at the household level, that systematically set South Africa’s official representative on professionalise work women often the Commission On The Elimination do for free, that demand an inclusive out to cripple the Of All Discrimination Against Women and compassionate macro-economic human potential of (CEDAW) of the United Nations in New framework, designed to serve human York, taking over a position that had needs rather than pander to corporate the majority of the previously been occupied by another greed, and that enable girls and women inhabitants of this Sawidian, Mavivi Myakayaka Manzini. to contribute maximally to the social In March 2007 another Ysawidian, and economic life of their country, country, women and Alidia Modjadji Seabi, organised and their region, their continent and poor families in South facilitated a session at the UN CSW the world. that encouraged young African girls to South African Women In Dialogue Africa continue to face come together and share information (SAWID) is determined to work tremendous obstacles about issues affecting girls in their towards the material and social respective countries. The theme was sustainability of individuals and to reaching their full African Girls in Dialogue: About us, for communities, not by fixing old systems, human potential. us, by us. but by creating targeted, holistic, and SAWID situates itself within the coordinated interventions that will preceded it, led by the multi-lingual context, legacy and collaborative result in measurable changes to the Mike Boon of Vuka South Africa! and efforts of generations of South African day to day conditions of women and forty facilitators, bolstered the desire women, who in two pivotal moments the girl-child. of the women of South Africa to use of our nation’s history collaborated the power of facilitated dialogue to have their voices heard: in 1956, SAWID: Women as Champions of to forge a programme of action when 20 000 women protested the Change towards the realisation of a vision hated pass laws, and in 1991 when SAWID traces its origins back to for the development of South Africa 81 women’s organisation united July 2003, when around 1000 women informed by the experiences and under the umbrella of the National from all over South Africa gathered at wisdom of women, and which would Women’s Coalition, combining the University of Pretoria to develop be measurable in terms of the actual their efforts to draft a Women’s and share strategies for mainstreaming concrete changes in the day to day Charter of Effective Equality, where, in women’s issues, and to discuss the post- lives of women around the country. February 1994, women claimed “full conflict developmental challenges. In alignment with the demand and equal participation in the creation South African women had gathered, of women for skills development of a non-sexist, non-racist democratic convened by a volunteer steering and capacity building, more than 80 society.” committee, representing women training workshops were held during SAWID nurtures four diverse leaders in government, business, civil the first SAWID National dialogue programmes in addition to the society and academia; across the in 2003, in collaboration with the Annual National and Regional political spectrum, including Zanele University of Pretoria, in areas like Coordination Forum: a Pan-African Mbeki, Dr Brigalia Bam, Dr Mohau the Writing of Business Plans, Project Peace and Reconciliation Programme,

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a Young Women’s Programme, an chose to wear at the Gala dinner at implementation of the Comprehensive Older Person’s Programme and a the end of the first SAWID National and inclusive Agreement as well as Development Programme. Dialogue in 2003. the representation of women at all Since its inception, SAWID has been levels of responsibility. The signing characterised by its concerted efforts to Barrier-breaking, Healing, of the Comprehensive and Inclusive influence public policy and influence Reconciliation and Peace Pretoria agreement took place at about and empower the state machinery SAWID is well-placed to lead the midnight on Thursday 6 March 2003, to fulfil the needs of individuals country in a barrier-breaking, healing, directly related to the public display of and families at the local level, where reconciliation and social cohesion solidarity and social cohesion by South people live. agenda, as the organisation, and its African and Congolese women. Pan African Peace and Reconciliation Subsequent peace dialogues and The Role of Women in Creating Forum, grew out of the spontaneous bilateral meetings were hosted with Social Cohesion display of support shown by women women from Burundi, the Great Lakes The recent Social Cohesion from South Africa towards their Area, Liberia, Tunisia, Nigeria, the Summit held in Kliptown on the 4th Congolese sisters who were attending SADC countries and Southern Sudan. and 5th of July acknowledged the the Inter Congolese Peace Dialogue Because SAWID was founded on negative indicators of social cohesion (ICD) in Sun City in 2002 and the lessons learnt in promoting peace which still affect the lives of the with women in DRC and Burundi, majority of South Africans: issues of it was natural that subsequent “poverty, inequality, unemployment, The signing of SAWID programmes should give homelessness, landlessness, poverty of the Comprehensive pride of place to “Pan-African Peace health, violent crime, abuse of women and Inclusive Pretoria and Reconciliation”. Much of the and children, the elderly and foreign programme work in this regard within nationals and uneven and inadequate agreement took place SAWID is grounded on the principles local government service delivery in at about midnight on and programmes of the AU and historically neglected communities.” NEPAD, in line with South African The national social cohesion Thursday 6 March foreign policy. strategy also points out that South 2003, directly related In July 2008, after the brutal attacks Africa’s desire to attain a socially on various African nationals leading to cohesive society would depend on the to the public display killings and the displacement of many ability of all its inhabitants to weave of solidarity and from their homes that left the nation together the elements that would traumatised, guilty and distressed, ensure social cohesion: “strategies to social cohesion by SAWID convened a Women’s Peace overcome the social divisions of class, South African and Dialogue in Alexandra, where the race, gender, age, sexual orientation, violence had started, under the theme, disability and other dimensions of Congolese women. Grounding Peace in our Communities. social difference and diversity, as well SAWID believed that it was incumbent as address issues of material and social 2003. This led to a 5-day Peace and upon themselves to respond timeously inequalities like apartheid remnant Reconciliation dialogue at Esselen Park because it is the raison d’être of spatial patterns, housing, worklessness, in March 2003 between 125 Congolese SAWID to promote inclusivity in local delivery dynamics, demographic women and 200 South African diversity among South Africans and change and school choice, amongst women, which allowed women from on the continent. It would not have other variables of human choice conflicting parties in the DRC to come been possible for SAWID to talk and agency.” together to increase their participation peace to women from other SADC SAWID has consistently worked in the dialogue for peace and nation countries and to other women on towards social cohesion in all its building in their country and to ensure the continent when violent conflict activities, through a strict inclusivity that the post-conflict society provides a was engulfing many in South African checklist which includes race, ethnic framework for gender equality. communities. origin, language, religion, age, One of the highlights of this peace geographic origin, sexual orientation dialogue was the public demonstration The Centrality of the Family, Self- and economic status, through an of Congolese women with South reliance and Poverty Eradication emphasis on simultaneous translation African support organised on March During the first SAWID Forum of all dialogues in all the languages of 6, 2003 at the Union Building grounds in July 2003, the women in their Plan the country, through the multi-faith to demand that the Inter Congolese of Action identified the Eradication of devotions that precede any SAWID Dialogue (ICD) sign the Draft Poverty as fundamental to improving event, and through a deep respect for Constitution and the Memorandum the status of women and the the cultures of other people, symbolised on the Army and the Protection development of communities. At by the Voortrekker dress that SAWID of Institutions. The message of the the 2005 SAWID Forum women Founder and Patron Zanele Mbeki women was also a call for peace, the committed themselves to

32 THE THINKER POLITICS implementing a practical programme and role of Indigenous Knowledge networks, and increase family to reach poor communities with Systems. participation within and outside of the development resources, and SAWID • Coordinate multi-sectoral households. therefore crystallised its own Poverty involvement (private partners, South African Women in Dialogue Eradication Model based on targeting government departments, is currently seeking to position poor communities with a basket of development communities and its holistic family-based poverty services (the Development Caravan) to other agencies) for infrastructural eradication approach as a key model be provided through partnerships with development and support so that for the implementation of the national CBOs, FBOs, SOEs, private sector and poor families can have access to poverty eradication strategy in the government. clean water and sanitation. country, and to act as a catalyst for SAWID’s poverty eradication • Build self-reliance by linking poor the voices of women and youth to approach involves the training of families to health (mental and be gathered, captured, disseminated Social Auxiliary Workers, young emotional; physical and lifestyle) and represented at all levels where matriculated men and women from and education and training (literacy decisions are made that affect their the same poor rural communities, to and skills development) services. lives. enter identified poor families with a Through the Development Caravan basket of services that include personal programme, SAWID targets the most Advocacy for an Inclusive Macro- identification, human settlement pressing social problems (especially Economic Framework (including water, sanitation and In a recent document on Women electricity), health, education, family Through the and the Economy, presented at the dynamics, employment, income and 5th year review conference of the psycho-social support. This is done Development Caravan Progressive Women’s Movement of in close collaboration with the local programme, SAWID South Africa (PWMSA) in Umtata municipality, social work mentors in July 2012, Dr Vuyo Mahlati, a and supervisors, and a community targets the most development economist (who is both hosting team. pressing social the Chairperson of the Development Commission of South African Women The Development Caravan Initiative problems (especially in Dialogue, and the President of The Development Caravan is a the problem of the International Women’s Forum of synchronised poverty eradication South Africa) drew attention to the system for local communities in nodal unemployment) urgent need for what she called a areas to mobilise support and catalyse in geographically “collaborative and concerted approach self-organisation through targeting to women’s economic emancipation families with a basket of services and isolated and for sustainable wealth creation and through stakeholder engagement. economically social equity.” She also highlighted The Development Caravan has been marginalised areas in the role that civil society formations in progress since January 2008, and has have to play “in fast-tracking women’s effectively resulted in 60 trained and the country. economic empowerment.” graduated Social Auxiliary Workers; In her role as a member of the 21 Social Auxiliary Work Learners, 3 the problem of unemployment) National Planning Commission Professional Social Workers, 3 Project in geographically isolated and she pointed out that the emphasis managers and an administrator (a economically marginalised areas in the on “strategic focus and collective, total of 87 people) successfully and country. concerted efforts” honoured the competitively employed. The SAWs work through existing contributions of legendary South The Development Caravan adds networks and organisations to promote African women like Charlotte Maxeke, value through skills by training jobless small holder farming and access to who championed the establishment youth and creating an adaptable information and technologies by the of the Bantu Women's League in skilled labour force, capacitating poor families in the absence of adequate 1918, Ida Mtwana who was the first municipalities to better utilise skills support from agricultural extension and ANC Women’s League President, in the local economy and supporting local economic development officers. and stalwarts of the struggle like 1956 employment progression and skills They link SMMEs' promote partnerships Women’s March icons like Lillian upgrading. The role of the Social and linkages through bridging gaps Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and others who Auxiliary Workers (SAWs) is to: within local economic development “systematically, consistently and • Coordinate and build resources; interventions, established enterprises collaboratively fought subordination coordinate access to these and small businesses. to patriarchy and white domination” resources by the poor families The SAWs link poor families to by putting “humanity, dignity, and communities, promote government services and use a case solidarity and equality at the centre of entrepreneurial orientation and work approach to restore family their struggle.” create awareness of the importance systems, strengthen community The India, Brazil, South Africa

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Women’s Forum, of which SAWID a 100 % women-owned ICT company, and the need for a targeted poverty was a founding member, was proposed are currently seeking funding to eradication strategy. Partly due to in September 2007 as an addition collaborate in the design of a research insights gained during this tour, South to the then Business, Academic methodology, sets of disaggregated Africa now has a Ministry for Women, and Parliamentary Forums of the data, a knowledge management Children and Persons with Disability, India, Brazil, South Africa trilateral platform and an M and E tool whereby a national anti-poverty strategy, and a partnership, and called for “an the development efforts and activities National Planning Commission. inclusive macro-economic framework of government, civil society, the private The country still has not adopted which makes visible and values the sector, labour and community can be a comprehensive and holistic poverty importance and centrality of women’s coordinated, aligned and tracked for eradication approach, however, contribution to the development of our enhanced effectiveness, based on and the women of South Africa, in economies.” SAWID was represented identified human needs. alignment with strategic processes on international fora on this issue taking place in the country and on by women like Dr Vuyo Mahlati, Alignment with Strategic National the continent, seek to contribute Nomboniso Gasa, Dr Mohau Pheko and Continental Processes to a transformative development and Prof Edith Vries. South African Women in Dialogue, agenda that advocates the centrality in partnership with the Independent of women in issues of peace and Knowledge Management and reconciliation, poverty eradication Monitoring and Evaluation at Local and economic empowerment, climate Level The women of change and the green economy, Unfortunately, in the midst of the South Africa social cohesion and nation-building, much-touted “knowledge economy,” prioritised poverty community participative research, the we lack the most basic knowledge democratisation of information, and tools to gather, collect, order, package eradication, job knowledge management. and share meaningful information creation, early These strategic initiatives include regarding women’s development the African Decade of Women, needs and the achievement of childhood development South Africa’s National Planning gender and development goals. No and civil society Commission’s Vision 2030, the New systematic gender disaggregated Growth Path for South Africa and the database exists in the Southern African coordination for Social Cohesion and Nation-Building region that collates and maintains effective action, Agenda. gender disaggregated datasets with regularity. No tool has been designed amongst other themes, The African Women’s Decade, 2010 to measure the attainment of global and they made a – 2020 development goals at local level. The launch of the African Women’s We also grapple with the eradication formal submission to Decade in 2010, with its theme of of poverty without any structures the NPC prior to Grassroots Approach to Gender Equality in place to measure the movement the release of the and Women’s Empowerment, coincided from indigence to self-sufficiency of with the establishment of the National individual households. first proposed Planning Commission (NPC) by SAWID is a partner to a proposal that National Development President Zuma. advocates, in alignment with the African The special focus areas of the African Union goal of the e-transformation of Plan. Women’s Decade include poverty Africa, the creation of an electronic eradication and women’s economic framework for networking and effective Development Trust, government’s empowerment, agriculture and food action to support the goals articulated largest development stakeholder, security, health, maternal mortality and by the women of South Africa (and has been instrumental in advocating HIV and AIDS, education, science and their development partners). This changes in the configuration and focus technology, environment and climate aims to ensure that a monitoring and of government to ensure effective change, peace and security and evaluation template is put into place to poverty eradication at household violence against women, governance assess whether women at local levels level. A study tour to Chile and and legal protection, finance and live lives of dignity, with adequate Tunisia in 2006, to study the poverty gender budgets, women in decision- access to health, education, nutrition, eradication strategies of two countries making and the young women’s employment, income, information and in the world who had more than met movement. In addition, women other resources. the Millennium Development Goal of attending the NGO Forum preceding SAWID, the Centre for halving poverty at that time, resulted the launch of the African Women’s Democratising Information, the in recommendations which included Decade in Nairobi urged the African Women’s and Gender Unit of the the need for a Women’s Ministry and a Union Member States to: University of Pretoria and ICT Works, central coordinating Planning Ministry, • Ensure that grassroots women

34 THE THINKER POLITICS

are fully represented and actively Development Plan on the 11th of sustainable environmental outcomes involved in all platforms of decision November 2011. and community resilience while making employing large numbers of women in • Make efforts to bridge the divide The New Growth Path the green economy. between women in decision making The New Growth Path that was and grassroots women in poor launched by the Minister of Economic Conclusion rural communities and informal Development in South Africa following We are living through an era settlements a trend of jobless growth and increasing of enormous transformation in • Enhance capacities of grassroots unemployment, also required a every corner of our planet. These women’s networks to do community process of engendering to ensure that transformations include the breakdown research, situation analyses, and women’s needs were met and taken of unsustainable economic systems, manage and own action plans into consideration when resources the dissolution of undemocratic • Recognize and publicly were allocated for its implementation. political systems, uncertainty around acknowledge the critical role The New Growth Path presents an the extent and implications of climate that grassroots women play in opportunity to unravel the feminine change, and attempts to coordinate subsidizing the state in reference to face of poverty by proposing a holistic systems and processes that would access to basic needs civil society approach to poverty otherwise result in waste and needless • Invest in demonstrated ability eradication that is aimed at graduating endeavour through the duplication of grassroots women’s groups to poor families out of a dependence on of effort. It is becoming abundantly mobilize and organize on issues grants, and unlocking the burden of clear that the hourly choices we make of governance, accountability and unpaid childcare by women through impact profoundly on the web we are development the professionalisation of Early attached to. • Make efforts to engage men at Childhood Education. This would The women of South Africa are grassroots level, including elders’ help to develop low-wage industries determined to act as Champions of councils and religious leaders, in in sectors that women are already Change towards the eradication of the promotion of gender equality at participating in. It is clear that there is poverty and inequality, with women at household and community levels. a need to professionalise traditionally the centre of the development agenda, “soft” jobs like domestic work, home- focusing their efforts in alignment with The National Planning Commission’s based care and early childhood strategic outcomes and goals articulated Vision 2030 education or crèches, where large in the African Decade of Women, the In response to the call from the numbers of women are currently vision 2030 of the National Planning National Planning Commission for civil volunteering their services or receiving Commission, the New Growth Path society input into the Vision 2030, and very low salaries. and the Social Cohesion and Nation- in response to the opportunity afforded The professionalisation of Early Building agenda of South Africa. women by the focus on the African Childhood Education is a priority in In collaboration with the Human Women’s Decade, South African a country where low early education Sciences Research Council, SAWID Women in Dialogue responded by is an indicator of intergenerational has committed itself to show how, gathering and amplifying the voices poverty, and allows large numbers of building on women’s self-reliance and of women in local communities to women already doing this work to be current survival strategies, families can provide their input into a plan of action up-skilled and professionalised. be graduated from grant dependency to reduce poverty and inequality. Women must further ensure through targeted and holistic Of the areas highlighted that societal tools are designed that programmes that create jobs in areas by the Diagnostic Overview, allow networking, collaboration and where humans experience the greatest namely unemployment, education, monitoring and evaluation of all efforts needs, including early childcare, food infrastructure, the spatial legacy of aimed at empowering them. Gendered security, poverty eradication through apartheid planning, an unsustainable community based research, where family-based interventions, and the development path, the inadequate income is paid for information, and reduction of violence against women public health system, poor public innovative approaches to Knowledge and children. service performance, high corruption Management and Monitoring and Through the capturing of levels and poor service delivery, Evaluation, could prepare the way sustainable and innovative lessons and lack of social cohesion, the for women to enter the Knowledge and best practice, the women of women of South Africa prioritised intensive sector in large numbers. South Africa seek to influence policy poverty eradication, job creation, Training of large numbers of rural and ensure the implementation of early childhood development and women as climate change experts and holistic, sustainable, family-based, civil society coordination for effective barefoot solar engineers, (based on the psycho-social programmes that nurture action, amongst other themes, and successful Indian College of that name, human and environmental capital as they made a formal submission The Barefoot College, and African they advocate compassionate macro- to the NPC prior to the release of Barefoot colleges in Rwanda and Sierra economic systems and revitalised the first proposed National Leone), has the potential to create social networks. 

Volume 42 / 2012 35 POLITICS

© Shutterstock.com Young African Women who envision the African future

I dream that we will shine as bright as the sun and the world will be healed by our beauty and warmth.

By Siki Dlanga

36 THE THINKER POLITICS

oday as a black young woman I youth? What happened to making rich they have done themselves and can be who ever I want to be. choices about which games to play or their children the greatest disservice TI am no longer viewed as an which ice-cream flavour to purchase? for generations. While they dream only inferior human being nor do I relate It is safe to believe that young girls and for themselves they hold themselves to any feelings of inferiority. This women are the most burdened people ransom and they remain in a small generous gift of freedom is one that in our nation? pitiful world that will never realise was handed to us by generations and There are many more educated great ventures or possibilities. We have generations of African and non-African young women in South Africa whose to think locally and globally at the same women who fought for centuries for the contribution to the growth of our time. Nelson Mandela once wrote: equality of women around the globe. economy is something to be proud “Sometimes it rests upon a generation My generation of women owes this of. June 2012 M&G released its yearly to be great. We can be that great freedom to a certain day in Sharpeville ”200 successful young South Africans.“ generation.” We are without a choice. and later Soweto. We have to have bigger hearts and use In response to freedom a few our brilliant minds. Great hearts attract questions need to be answered. We want our solutions. Our generation requires Are women treated with dignity in children to inherit a it. We owe it to Africa. We owe it to South Africa? With freedom comes our nation. responsibility. What is our response better continent. We Contrary to the xenophobic to freedom? In all truth the question want to be able to beliefs, of some, we do owe Africa of dignity and the responsibilities something. Are we going to sit at of freedom go hand in hand. My tell them stories of the tip of the continent of Africa and generation has much to overcome how bad it used to be enjoy our lot while we refuse to look which hardly existed in times past. in some parts of the at Africa’s plight? When we have The generations of women before us ignored the rest of Africa and we find fought for the right to have any career continent. We do not her at our doorstep are we going to get they so desired and be remunerated want them to witness rid of her and unsympathetically tell as any man who holds the same her to return to where she came from? position. The generations of women it with their own eyes. If we are useless to Africa now then in the past enjoyed a secure home, a We want them to we are a useless generation. We do family, children who could thrive in live for ourselves. When our love though they may have suffered dream other dreams neighbouring nation suffers we feel the marginalisation and other kinds to take the continent pangs of her pain. If we ignore her pain of discrimination that would be it will soon be ours. unbearable today. to greater heights - Why should the rest of the My generation has little family heights that we cannot continent be the South African young stability. What my generation has is woman’s responsibility? We have a what the previous generation longed even imagine. responsibility by virtue of being free. for. What my generation longs for is If we become generous we will be what the previous generations had. There are more successful young more appreciative of our own fortunes It could be said that the generations people in our country than ever before. rather than spending our times rioting past did not give the most important It is a success we do not celebrate in the streets and demanding service inheritance. Can all our money and enough. Yet still, to those whom much delivery. Of course we deserve jobs power save us from being raped with is given much more is required. Much and service delivery. However if our children? Can our positions of has been given to our generation. We we quit rioting, we might discover power raise every HIV/Aids orphaned are a generation whose generosity how powerful we are to cause the child’s parents from the dead? Does simply has to be broader, deeper and change we desire. Someone once the older generation that fought for stronger. Our heads have to think said that what frustrates you the most freedom know anything about being further than ourselves even though this holds the key to your passion. In your given difficult choices as a teenager? is a very difficult thing to do since we passion lies the expression of your gift Do they know about the weight of are the breakthrough generation. We to turn that frustration into something responsibility that rests on a young girl cannot afford to be selfish and self- to celebrate. whose emotional intelligence is still absorbed. The moment we are selfish Why should Africa be the young developing and yet must make choices and self-absorbed is the moment our woman’s responsibility? Africa is that would frighten even her parents? possibilities and capacity will shrink to known as the mother continent. The Guttmacher Institute reported the size of a pea since selfish people Women are intuitive. Women know that South Africa performs more than do not think further than themselves. how to make homes work. Women 850 000 abortions per year. What They do not see much. They collect are compassionate. Women can make happened to us? What happened to everything for themselves and while any place look and feel like a home. the simple burden-free choices of they might believe themselves to be The day that young African women

Volume 42 / 2012 37 politics

decide to no longer be threatened take the continent to greater heights - by the rest of Africa or no longer What my heights that we cannot even imagine. see non-South African Africans as generation has is what However, we have our part to play foreigners but as fellow members of the first. What inheritance will we leave same continent - that will be the day the previous generation for them? Our inheritance has been we might begin to be a powerful force longed for. What my freedom and equality. in our continent to bring meaningful generation longs for I dreamt that we had no borders. change, not arrogantly but as fellow I dreamt that Africans could Africans working side by side to make is what the previous move freely between areas. I dreamt our continent a place to envy. If generations had. that we were generous. I dreamt that women can run homes, then women we saw possibility in every situation. I can run the continent. If women can world attraction because people all dreamt that we brought relief in places create pleasant places to dwell in and over the world want to witness this where there was pain. I dreamt that groom well-mannered children, then miracle. we were not so insecure. I dreamt that women can create an Africa that is a We live in a time where our young women in Africa sat around in a peaceful pleasant place to dwell in. We talents are no longer questioned large table and dreamt of a better future can have a continent that is foreign to because of our gender. Our gender for those who could no longer dream. hostility of any kind. We can no longer has become an advantage. That I dreamt that our hearts were enlarged afford to be the corner of Africa that places us in a leadership position by so that we were no longer fearful or shrugs off the rest of the continent. We default. Our gifts and our talents are sceptical of one another. I dreamt can no longer afford to be the corner of no longer restricted by the colour of that we no longer saw resources as Africa that is jealous, that sees people skin. This puts a huge responsibility scarce but we kept searching for what whose state is less than ours as a threat on our shoulders as a generation of has not yet been discovered. I dreamt to our economy or our welfare. Our women who can use our compassion that we were creative with what was fear speaks of people whose minds and combine it with our intuition and scarce just like we have made food are blind to possibilities. We need to skills to touch this continent in a way multiply in the kitchen when we had be a generation of young women who that will set the standard for the next little food. I dreamt that we lived envision the future. We must work generation. We want our children to larger than life. I dreamt that we truly with the rest of the continent because inherit a better continent. We want believed that the possibilities were if we do not others will. Africa is our to be able to tell them stories of how endless. I still dream of new roads, new inheritance. It is our Africa. Who must bad it used to be in some parts of technologies yet unimagined, distinctly take care of it? the continent. We do not want them African new architecture unlike any We have to start asking questions. to witness it with their own eyes. We other continent. I dream that we will We need to begin to listen to the rest of want them to dream other dreams to shine as bright as the sun and the the continent. Mostly we must dream world will be healed by our beauty about what is possible for the whole and warmth. continent. It is time for us to no longer If women can run There have been dark times in our be estranged to our brothers and sisters. homes, then women continent and nation where to dream Recently I went to . I went can run the continent. and believe anything better seemed with a team of people who dared to way out of reach. There were a few see hope in hopeless situations. For us If women can create dreamers who chose to be imprisoned to see hope was to look through God’s pleasant places to dwell for their impossible dreams. There eyes and dream bigger than the limited were dreamers who preferred to human experience for a second. What in and groom well- die than to live a life less than what we found changed our lives forever. It mannered children, then they knew was possible. There were changed how I saw the continent of women can create an dreamers who marched together to Africa. It changed how I saw poverty Pretoria, Sharpeville, Cape Town, and people who are poor. We found Africa that is a peaceful Port Elizabeth, Durban and Soweto paradise. An American woman called pleasant place to dwell in a time where women did no such Heidi Baker decided to love one in. We can have a things. This was a time where people orphan at a time in Mozambique and were supposed to submit to laws of one day it became an orphanage. To continent that is foreign segregation. They dreamt and now be really modest she has now adopted to hostility of any kind. we live their dreams. What dreams more than 300 orphans who are all We can no longer afford will we dream for the children, well taken care off. They all go to men and women of our African school. I would even go as far as to say to be the corner of Africa continent? A home becomes what the that place looks like a place any child that shrugs off the rest of woman makes it. This continent will would want to live in. It is the happiest become how we envision it. Those place imaginable. It has become a the continent. who dream, lead. 

38 THE THINKER Volume 42 / 2012 39 SOUTH AFRICAN BREWERIES Entrepreneurship and © Courtesy of SAB of Courtesy © innovation to address job creation

By South African Breweries

he South African Breweries (SAB) , Chairperson of the may use advanced technology and Foundation is in the process SAB Foundation. knowledge or a combination of these. Tof sifting through some of the The Innovation Awards offers a An improved product is one which country’s most innovative products first place grant of R1 million and two is already in existence for which the and processes aimed at improving the runner-up grants of R500 000 each. winner has increased its performance lives of people, specifically women, In addition, several seed grants are significantly. youth, people living with disabilities awarded to deserving innovations. Process innovations involve and people living in rural areas. The There is also a separate category for adapting and creatively improving Innovation Awards was launched entries from women, youth, people ways of delivering a product or in 2011 and is part of the SAB with disabilities and people living in service. This could come from Foundation’s primary focus to ignite a rural areas. changes in knowledge, perception and culture of entrepreneurship in South Grants include funding for the understanding. Africa as a source of economic growth, up-scaling and commercialisation An open competition puts innovator job creation and innovation. of the innovative solution, a process applicants and their innovations “Developing entrepreneurship is the supported by the Foundation over through a rigorous, phased adjudication key to job creation in South Africa. If we a period of two years or longer, as process. In the end, investments are are able to combine entrepreneurship needed. The size of the grants is made in those innovations which with a spirit of innovation, I believe designed to allow substantive progress are pioneering, scalable and can be that we have an amazing opportunity to be made by the winners. commercialised. Innovated solutions to take our job creation expectations Product innovations cover goods entered must have progressed past an to another level. This is also aligned to and services which can be divided idea and be at proof-of-concept stage. what our country sorely needs,” says into new or improved. A new product The SAB Foundation was founded

40 THE THINKER SOUTH AFRICAN BREWERIES

in 2009 as a beneficiary of SAB’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment deal, SAB Zenzele, and holds 8.4 million participation rights in the empowerment scheme. Dividend income received from SAB Zenzele is used for investments in initiatives which benefit the wider community. The SAB Foundation Innovation Awards is overseen by a board of trustees which include respected South African businessmen and women with a passion for entrepreneurship as a means of addressing job creation in South African. Research conducted by the SAB Foundation into entrepreneurship highlighted three critical points: • South Africa lacks a critical mass of SMEs; • South Africa only has a few high- total of 40 micro and small enterprises gardening increases. At the same time, profile entrepreneurial role models; have received financial investment and the Garden in a Box design is being and business support. This has resulted in refined and improved. • The country’s culture of 93 jobs being created. Reel Gardening is owned by 25 innovation is largely untapped and The winner of the inaugural SAB year-old Claire Reid, who created a un-commercialised. Foundation Innovation Awards handmade vegetable planting strip To address these challenges, the SAB 2011 was Reel Gardening, whose made from biodegradable paper. Each Foundation aims to contribute to the community gardening product, vegetable strip is water soluble, contains development of entrepreneurship by Garden in a Box, received a grant of fertiliser and non-modified seeds, and supporting the growth of a critical mass R1 million. Since then, the innovation includes a set of seed growing factors to of SMEs; developing entrepreneurial has been implemented in 15 schools maximise the germination rate. role models; and stimulating and and communities and has benefited rewarding innovation. more than 2000 people. Around 1500 Other than the Innovation Prize, square metres has been planted with the SAB Foundation aims to achieve the capacity to provide at least 1200 its objective through the following meals a day. More than 600 learners investment initiatives: and educators have been trained in • Tholoana Fund - offers small-scale sustainable development and plans grassroots support for non-profits, are in place to employ more staff as co-operatives, micro-businesses the demand for community and school and other ventures investing in entrepreneurial development and providing income generation opportunities and employment. The focus of the fund is rural, women-owned and youth-owned enterprises. • Grant capital investment - offers support and financial assistance to high-impact, black-owned businesses in partnership with Endeavour, a non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming emerging markets by establishing high-impact entrepreneurship as a leading force for sustainable economic development. Since the first entrepreneurial investments were made in 2011, a

Volume 42 / 2012 41 ECONOMICS © Shutterstock.com

Promoting 21st century South African women from an economic perspective

This paper uses the significance of gender development through the informal sector as an example of what gender activists and the South African government could promote through its BRICS collaboration.

By Yazini April

s a young democracy, South government’s programmes. However, Given that the majority of Africa has done an excellent job despite all these aforementioned unemployed and poverty stricken Ain promoting women’s rights. political advancements, little break- individuals in South Africa are women, South African gender advocates can through has transpired for South African it is even more critical for South Africa take pride in the fact that a political women in the economic terrain. This to support a gender based development platform had been created for women document argues that gender based agenda as a strategic growth tool. to be heard, particularly with the groups need move beyond the political Furthermore, post-1994, it has great advancement in terms of the landscape and also focus on 21st become a global player which includes percentage of women in Parliament. In century tools of governance which are membership in fast growing economic regards to education, girls have more premised on economic diplomacy. alliances such as Brazil, Russia, India, access to schooling than in the past, and Unlike the previous century where China, South Africa (BRICS). The special measures have also been taken political and military might prevailed, emergence of BRIC as a formalised to address the needs of rural women. government dominance in the global geopolitical entity is expected to have Then, there is also the establishment of arena now also requires economic profound long-term consequences for the Ministry for Women, Children and power and growth where millions are the global economy and political order. Persons with Disabilities to ensure that lifted out of poverty, as in the case These four countries collectively amass women’s issues are mainstreamed in of China. twenty-five percent of the planet’s

42 THE THINKER ECONOMICS land surface, contain approximately city as the world's largest market of product (GNP), unlike the formal 40% of the world’s population and small commodity wholesalers which economy.5 Wang and Kusakbe argue have a combined GDP exceeding $15 absorbed the informal market. The how having access to, and constructive trillion, a figure larger than that of the flourishing market has helped non-State government support for, informal United States. industries to grow, and this in turn has markets is important in developing Key economic strategies most of the boosted the local economy and created countries for poverty alleviation, BRICS countries have implemented more than 500,000 jobs, with annual food security, income generation and include effective economic reforms tax revenues exceeding $94.3 million.2 services, not only for small producers. buttressed by industrial development. Time magazine recently produced an They maintain that informal activities Industrialisation is a key economic article with statistics demonstrating continue to be viewed in a negative indicator of developmental success. how the Chinese market has become light and consequently are excluded Millions of women are benefitting from one of the most sought after by major in the social security system and industrial development in most BRICS international branding companies.3 It is urban development planning. Vendors countries. South Africa is the only on this basis that Yiwu has important are often viewed by policy makers country in which the low skilled, low strategic lessons for economically as problems, in contexts such as employed population is dominated by empowering women in South Africa. pedestrian and traffic obstruction, and women. Furthermore, South Africa The Yiwu success story is a relevant city sanitation, as there tends to be little economically ranks lowest amongst case study for South Africa as it not coordination and cooperation between the BRICS countries in relation to only continues to have a large informal traders and local municipalities.6 industrial development. In order for The informal market has also South Africa to maintain its status as Unlike the become controversial in most African an emerging market, it will need to fast countries as it often takes place in track its economic agenda with the full previous century congested private places or public involvement of women as they are the where political open space, particularly in urban key bread winners in both rural and areas; this becomes problematic in urban development settings. and military might any society, as urban space tends to Given South Africa’s recent prevailed, government be highly political and involves various emphasis on industrial development interests. Last month Ghana banned is demonstrated by the recent dominance in the Asian traders from engaging in the local Special Economic Zone Policy Bill global arena now also vending business due to public outcry. presented by the Department of Other African countries, for example Trade and Industry (DTI) along requires economic Botswana and Kenya, do not permit with the Presidential Infrastructure power and growth spaza shops or any form of vending Coordinating Commission which lists where millions are by foreign informal traders. In short, 17 strategic integrated projects that cut informal trade has become such a across energy, transport and logistics lifted out of poverty competitive and accepted way of life infrastructure to schools, hospitals and as in the case through which many women are able nursing colleges.1 to support their families, that it is now a This paper proposes that as part of of China. political powder keg in many countries a gender economic growth strategy, on the continent. South Africa should also prioritise market but contains the necessary In South Africa, policies and benefits gender development as part of its ingredients as Africa’s gateway, to are geared towards the formal economy, BRICS agenda. This paper uses the establish a world trading window thereby ignoring the significant role of significance of gender development on the continent. The presidential the informal economy in the livelihood through the informal sector as an infrastructure and Special Economic of ordinary families, usually those example of what gender activists Zones (SEZs) in South Africa could help headed by women. Most work in and the South African government to facilitate the development of trade the informal sector is of a low skilled could promote through its BRICS in the region. nature in the categories of domestic collaboration. The case study used According to the Sugosh Foundation, work and elementary occupations.7 is that of the Yiwu City market where South Africa is not an exception in Pat Horn further argues that not only women in the informal market were having a high rate of women in the do women occupy low income, low successfully absorbed into acquiring informal market. Most women across skill occupations, but when activities world trading status. In the last ten the globe rely on the informal work undertaken by women in the informal years, Yiwu, which is based in Zhejiang, sector for an income.4 The informal sector start to become more profitable, China, has become the biggest export sector, or informal economy, is a they are gradually taken over by base of commodities and an important broad term that refers to that part men.8 Men’s work in the informal trading window in China. The United of an economy that is not taxed, sector is spread across the various Nations, The World Bank and Morgan monitored by any form of government, industries, with some concentration Stanley have also acknowledged Yiwu or included in any gross national in the taxi (transport), construction,

Volume 42 / 2012 43 ECONOMICS

and agricultural industries. Women, transfer, speed up the development proposing that South Africa implement on the other hand, are ostensibly of new technological industries and the Chinese system of economic concentrated in the domestic world emerging industries and work hard to governance. Neither is it discouraging and trade, with little representation build more dynamic industrial clusters industrial parks that are big business or elsewhere. South Africa’s rates of in Yiwu. Currently, it has 17 foreign- services oriented. However, we should involuntary unemployment and funded companies, 10 joint ventures evaluate other developing economies participation in the informal sector and 2 high-tech companies. These such as Papa New Guinea where the are attributed to an underperforming enterprises have invested 120 million economy and government revenue formal sector and barriers to entry US dollars.12 which was previously fuelled by the into this sector.9 Employment in street Another key government extractive industries is now being used to trading comprises 42% of total informal contribution is based on putting money tap the informal economy. South Africa sector employment.10 The clothing and energy into several vendor shop has all the necessary governance tools industry falls under manufacturing, markets over the last 30 years. Then necessary to promote strong sustainable which absorbs a percentage of total the government rented out these shops governance measures. The fact is, good informal sector employment. The to vendors at very low rentals. Private governance is no longer measured by clothing industry predominantly companies are not allowed to get into elections and political growth or simply employs women. The state of South market building business. Currently by democratisation standards and Africa’s informal economy especially in Yiwu attracts vendors from all over processes. An industrialised economy regards to the development of SEZs is China owing to its low shop rentals. with heavy gender participation will worrisome. As in the Yiwu SEZ case, Furthermore, as a result, small and large guarantee a more effective role for how will South Africa manage to absorb factories from cities like Wenzhou, the South African government as a its large unemployed and informal Ningbo, and even Guangzhou, where BRICS player. sector? It seems that the majority of tons and tons of products are produced Effective gender participation also the South African population continues each day for exporting, come to Yiwu’s does not mean tokenism, limited to remain excluded from the formal market in flocks to sell their products. to gender positions or posts in the labour market. The Yiwu special economic zone economic and political arena. South As already indicated earlier, Yiwu created by the Yiwu municipality Africa can only achieve its economic city has become the biggest export now boasts three state level industrial objectives through gender by ensuring base of commodity, international bases for its SEZ zone, namely China that the people selected to lead the market created by hawkers, and now Zipper Industrial Base, China Writing necessary programmes have the China’s 10th SEZ. In the 1980s Yiwu Instrument Industrial & Trade Base necessary skills and patriotism, and with no geographical advantages and and China Cosmetic Industrial Base. do not focus on tokenism and self- few natural resources, was just one of According to local government data, enrichment, but on hard work and the hundreds of anonymous, poverty Yiwu’s exports grew by 35 % in 2010 dedication.  stricken places in China. According to $28 billion.13 References to the Yiwu Municipal government, Yiwu is comprised of ingredients that 1 www.SouthAfrica.info. ‘SA Infrastructure Plan Ready Zhejiang Yiwu Industrial Park was South Africa can easily establish for its to Roll’. South African Government online. April 16, 2012 approved by the State Development own economic zones by also targeting 2 World Bank. ‘Doing Business in China’. and Reform Commission in 2006. world shoppers from the continent and www.worldbank.org. 2012. 3 Wong, Edward.’ China’s Export Economy Begins On November 22, 2010, the CPC beyond. Yiwu is also relevant for South Turning Inward’. New York Times. June 24, 2011 Yiwu Committee and Yiwu Municipal Africa as it has no natural advantages of 4 Sughosh India Foundation ‘Sughosh's meaning of empowerment’. 8 Nov 2010. (Online) Available: Government decided to separate any kind: it is far from main transport http://sughosh.in/Empowerment.html 5 Lewis, William (1955). The Theory of Economic the Zhejiang Yiwu Industrial Park hubs, hemmed in by mountains, and Growth. London: Allen and Unwin. Administration from the Suxi Town never developed much of an industrial 6 Yunxian Wang and Kyoko Kusakabe. ‘Informal Markets can Empower Women and Tackle Poverty’. Government in a hope to speed up base. The main export ports of Ningbo www.Papuanewguinea.com the development of industry clusters. and Shanghai are both over three 7 Imraan Valodia. ‘Economic Policy and Women’s Informal and Flexible Work in South Africa’. After the separation, the Industrial hours away by truck. However, in the Presented at 2000 Annual Forum at Glenbin Hodge, Park Administration has become a last ten years, Yiwu has become the Muldersdrift. Trade and Industrial Secretariat. 2000. 8 Horn, Pat. ‘Women in the Labour Market: Challenges permanent body which is responsible nexus of a large, complicated global Posed for Job Creation’. Transformation, 1994. 9 and James Thurlow. ‘Formal-Informal for rapidly integrating and upgrading trade route, the main supply depot for Economy Linkages and Unemployment in South the industry clusters and their overall tens of thousands of shops all across Africa’. International Food Policy Research Institute. 11 14 2009 plan. Based on the existing industry the world. 10 Goldman, Tanya. ‘Organizing in South Africa’s clusters, the local government is poised The Yiwu market scenario raises Informal Economy: An Overview of 4 Sectoral Case Studies’. International Labour Office, Geneva, 2003 to ensure that the Park will promote further questions, such as why South 11 Y.C. Jao, and Chi-Kueng Leung (1987). China's Special the regional block-shaped economy Africa has not been able to ensure that Economic Zones: Policies, Problems and Prospects. OUP China. and develop itself into the national our traders, particularly women in South 12 Ibid 13 Rapoza, Kenneth. ‘China’s Rise: A Shift in Global industrial base and international Africa, are strategically utilised to create Influence’. Forbes. December 20, 2010 industrial cluster. It will grasp the economic growth in the same fashion 14 Y.C. Jao, and Chi-Kueng Leung (1987). China's Special Economic Zones: Policies, Problems and Prospects. opportunity of international industrial as in the Yiwu case? This paper is not OUP China.

44 THE THINKER creating jobs across South Africa

MARKET DEMAND STRATEGY

Volume 42 / 2012 45 SCIENCE © Department of Science & Technology & Science of Department ©

Investing in astronomy as a priority platform for research and innovation We are a country that must invest in human capital and build a skilled workforce. The potential of astronomy to be a vehicle for encouraging a greater interest in scientific careers among the youth is immense.

By Naledi Pandor

stronomy is a trail-blazing consistently worked to present the Identifying the most appropriate focus frontier science, and South case for astronomy, as a priority focus areas for Africa’s major science and AAfrica is investing in this science area for science partnerships between technology investments can best be as a priority platform for research and Africa and Europe. For many observers done by identifying those areas where innovation. of Africa-EU cooperation such a Africa enjoys a comparative advantage The Department of Science and proposition may be surprising at first over other regions. Technology recognises the importance hand, given Africa’s pressing socio- In this context astronomy is of strategic international scientific and economic challenges, and some may identifiable as an appropriate discipline, technological cooperation. The recent harbour doubts regarding astronomy’s owing to the excellent conditions for achievements outlined in this article relevance for development. observation on our continent. We contrast strikingly with the priorities We are, however, in a position to have access to the Southern skies, of the apartheid government – whose not only respond with policy rhetoric, with large territories unscarred by light focus was particularly concentrated on but with concrete results. Outcomes pollution or radio-interference. We are military objectives. of programmes such as South Africa’s determined to exploit this geographic Because South Africa is responsible MeerKAT telescope demonstrate advantage to the maximum, for science for no more than 0.5% of global research astronomy’s potential to be an and our continent. output, we have developed relations unrivalled platform for training the South Africa is already home to with African partners to optimally next generation of African scientists the Southern African Large Telescope, leverage international partnerships and engineers, and to drive innovation the single biggest optical telescope and investments in support of national in vital economic sectors such as ICT in the Southern Hemisphere. It is programmes and capacity-building. infrastructure and energy. part of a partnership which includes Over the past few years, we have But why prioritise astronomy? the involvement of several European

46 THE THINKER SCIENCE countries. South Africa is not the only contributing to knowledge generation South African-based high technology African country which plays host to in Europe, but leading European content enterprises have also been leading global astronomy facilities. astronomers have also been taking up stimulated. Building on this cooperation There is also the example of the HESS positions in Africa through the South we hope to see astronomy as driver for gamma-ray telescope in Namibia, a African Research Chairs programme. innovation and the development of unique African-European partnership We have seven Research Chairs business clusters. initiative, which in 2007 was awarded dedicated to support South Africa's Science and technology has the European Union’s prestigious participation in the SKA project. become a crucial instrument for Descartes Prize for scientific excellence. Astronomy not only benefits human the production of new knowledge, But perhaps most significantly, capital development. The development technological innovation and industrial in May South Africa and its partners of research infrastructures is also competitiveness. It has also become an in eight other African countries won significantly boosted through targeted important tool in economic diplomacy the bid to jointly host the largest investments. These investments and global partnerships. components of the Square Kilometre also encourage the development of In South Africa’s efforts at science Array or (SKA), which will be the research infrastructures of use to the diplomacy we have much to be world’s most powerful radio telescope. broader scientific community, such proud of. A more detailed analysis, at South Africa is already constructing as high-speed research networks and another time, could also interrogate the the MeerKAT telescope, which will computing resources. obstacles, dead-ends and frustrations be integrated into the first phase of South Africa also plans to develop experienced, but that will need to wait. SKA. There is much excitement in an African Very Long Baseline The South African science diplomacy Europe regarding MeerKAT’s potential Interferometry (VLBI) Network to agenda has achieved success in three and several of Europe’s leading radio contribute to global radio astronomy areas: astronomers have already been given programmes. Together with several • Diplomatic efforts to promote future observation time to use the partner countries in Africa we have international scientific cooperation. telescope from 2016. identified several ground satellite • International scientific cooperation We are a country that must invest segment communication dishes across to address political and economic in human capital and build a skilled the continent, which have now become developmental goals related to workforce. The potential of astronomy redundant because of the construction foreign policy. to be a vehicle for encouraging a greater of optical fibre networks. • The science content of topical interest in scientific careers among These dishes can be converted international relations issues and the the youth is immense. Astronomy is without major expense to form diplomatic effort required to deal proving to be an unrivalled instrument part of a VLBI Network. Already with them. for science education in terms of the there is ongoing work by a group The growing dynamic interfaces excitement it generates among our of African scientists and engineers between these three different youth. It is, thus, no surprise that on the conversion of a 32m satellite components, as demonstrated by astronomy’s impact on development communication antenna in Kuntunse, South Africa’s relations with the is enjoying increased policy attention, Ghana and the initiation of preparatory European Union, Japan and the Russian as recognised by the International work in Mozambique. These are Federation (where the Department has Astronomy Union’s decision to tangible steps taken by Africa to invest international offices), as well as with establish a dedicated Astronomy for in research infrastructures, which will many of our African neighbours and Development Office in Cape Town, benefit global science. the Americas and Asia, will only grow South Africa. Investments in these research in importance. Herein is perhaps the Training programmes in radio infrastructures have rich potential biggest challenge for South Africa’s astronomy are helping us to grow to contribute to socio-economic future science diplomacy engagements, Africa’s future workforce of knowledge development in the regions where they namely, having an agenda which workers and engineers. We already are located. Employment opportunities is sufficiently focused in order to have promising results. As a result are created. Basic services and ensure an optimal investment of of the various human capital infrastructures are developed in regions, resources, but sufficiently flexible development programmes associated which are sometimes in remote, rural in order to respond to the rapidly with Africa’s SKA bid, new astronomy areas. There are multiple opportunities changing dynamics of international programmes have been established at for African and European industries to relations in the several African universities, including in work together in this context. 21st century, Kenya, Madagascar and Mozambique. As a result of our construction of the which, if not Policymakers often talk about brain SALT and MeerKAT telescopes, South driven by circulation to mitigate brain drain. We Africa also has flourishing astronomy- science, most are achieving such mutually beneficial based design and engineering certainly will partnerships. Under our programmes cooperation with the likes of IBM, Intel, require a several post-graduate African students Telespazio, Finmeccanica and Nokia science-based are working at European universities, Siemens Networks. Opportunities for response. 

Volume 42 / 2012 47 COMMENT Why is equality between women and men so important?

Divine Couple, Khajuraho Temple, India, 11th Century

The purpose of life is to love and to be loved and to feel loved and able to love.

By Lynn Carneson McGregor

he well-being of our planet is and men for granted and sometimes to discriminate against, oppress closely bound up with how forget that this is not so for everyone. or abuse any human being on Trelations between men and There are many reasons for equality the basis of gender, race or any women influence the way children including the following:- other reason. are brought up and how they shape • Women and men are both human With Women’s month coming the world when they are adults. In my beings and have a right to be treated round again, it is always an opportunity experience, when men and women with equal respect, dignity and to to review how things are going in work together creatively as equals to be given equal opportunities South Africa. My first attempt is to try tackle problems, better solutions are • Apart from biological differences to clarify for myself, what it means to produced. This is why I agree with Essop both men and women are me to be a woman today? What does Pahad, editor of The Thinker when he equally capable of child rearing, it mean to my husband, sons, brother says, “We cannot deal with issues of being educated and following a and male friends to be a ‘man’? As poverty, underdevelopment, conflicts worthwhile career someone who has experienced both and war without the empowerment • Both men and women are equally the pleasures of working and living with and emancipation of women.” responsible for the well-being of the men as an equal and the indignities next generation of being treated as inferior, this is a Why should women be equal to • Together men and women create subject full of contradictions, pain and men? better solutions pleasure and sometimes a combination Some of us take equality of women • It is morally and ethically wrong of both.

48 THE THINKER COMMENT

It is a mystery to me who or what I countries I worked in, not all women rights of women. The new democratic am as a woman enjoyed equality. In India five years government practiced positive Even though I have run my own ago I met a group of women who had discrimination for women to redress company, written books, created an never been to school nor could read or the imbalance. This is why there are art installation, brought up a child and write because their men did not want more women in parliament in South have a happy marriage, why am I the them to see men from outside their Africa than in most other countries. A person who always gets up to clear up, village. There have been many men growing number of women are being wash the dishes and make and hand in my life who expected me to defer educated and follow meaningful out drinks? It is not just because I enjoy to them or to obey them, not realising careers. More and more women are looking after people and making them that as a third generation women’s starting up their businesses. Girls going comfortable. It is also conditioned libber, it was impossible for me not to to good schools today are taking it for behaviour learnt from my father that think for myself. In South Africa there granted that they have equal rights and women should serve men. Every time are a growing number of women like have different expectations about their I do it when I don’t really want to, I am me who are educated and in positions futures certainly from those of their furious with myself. of power and responsibility. Some of grandmothers and great grandmothers. Even I am seduced by the media my friends tell me that it is not easy to to spend money on creams I know find men with the right attitudes who Many South African women are still don’t work in the hope that I will look are willing to match them in an equal deprived of their rights younger and more attractive although relationship. In spite of woman being 52% of I know I am devaluing myself. I have the adult population, there are still no objection to looking good and considerably fewer women in power. being attractive. But it should not More female Many are paid less for the same work. be at the expense of selling myself teenagers than males There are more women in menial short. I remember being told off by an positions. ancient Native American woman when commit suicide. Their South Africa has some of the highest I was thirty when I complained about feelings of depression statistics for violence against women wrinkles. She said, and worthlessness are in the world, other than war zones. ‘Do you want to erase the memories Women are more susceptible to of your life?’ not taken seriously domestic violence and sexual assault ‘No’ until it is too late. than men. One in four women are ‘Then why do you want to erase the regularly beaten up by their husbands lines from your face? The lines on your or partners. Rape is not uncommon. In face are the maps of your life. Honour My painful memories of how I was many cases brought to court, children them. Be proud of them.’ treated as a single struggling mother, are abused at the same time. Just over Apart from biological differences, I how I was turned down for jobs 40% of female homicides are by a can no longer have rigid assumptions because I was a woman and listening husband or partner. about differences between men and to the woman and children next door It is not easy for women to get women. It is difficult to decide the being beaten up remind me that a justice. Some magistrates blame the extent to which we are brainwashed by woman’s lot is not always a happy one. women for provocation and let men, our parents, teachers, advertisements who damage or kill women, get off and the media. Nature versus nurture How are South African Women lightly. The police in certain areas have arguments are used by people who being treated? a reputation for beating up and raping want to hang on to their prejudices. When I returned from exile in prostitutes who are arrested, even I have seen too many exceptions to 1993 I was shocked by the segregation before being convicted, rather than expectations that women are more between men and women in South treating them with respect as human caring, or men can’t bring up their Africa. I was not used to being treated beings. children or women can’t have a proper as if I did not exist or had no views What is also of concern is that career because of having babies. Not of my own. When I visited informal suicide is the second largest cause of all women who are blond and beautiful settlements, I was shocked to see how death in teenagers, often caused by are dumb. many women were walking around substance abuse and dangerous sex. What I do know is that the times with cuts, bruises and scars on their More female teenagers than males of my life I have most enjoyed was faces and bodies. commit suicide. Their feelings of when I have worked and lived in Many activists during the Apartheid depression and worthlessness are not many parts of the world including Struggle fought injustice and taken seriously until it is too late. The the UK, Europe, the USA and India oppression because they understood growing numbers of very young single where it was taken for granted that I the human suffering involved. That parents, some of whom have been was equal and respected. There was is why the rights of women were raped, add not only to incidents of not one time when I felt marginalised upheld, enshrined in the Constitution suicide but also chronic depression and or inferior. I was lucky. Even in the and Institutions set up to protect the despair.

Volume 42 / 2012 49 COMMENT

The picture that emerges is that When is it eroded? How can moral This has led to feelings of lack of self- many men in South Africa do not conflicts be resolved? For example respect that has led to inward-directed believe women are equal and treat differences between those who have anger – domestic violence, community them with contempt, often having traditional values e.g. polygamy vigilantism, public violence and other power over them by using violence or and patriarchy and the principles self-sabotaging behaviour.” Fortunately economic blackmail. enshrined in the Constitution have there is a large body of experience in It is easy to blame men who abuse to be worked out. If a man can have this area and it is possible to learn how their women, but why do they do this? five wives, why can a woman not have to let go of the pain of the past. We There are many answers to this, but five husbands? When are old customs need to unlearn deeply ingrained and the lives of young men are not much no longer acceptable because they soul damaging conditioned attitudes better. In poverty stricken areas, 42.2% are abusive to women? Are we in and behaviour. of deaths of young men are injury danger of being so tolerant of diversity related. 40% of deaths between the that we allow unlicensed abuse 5. Learn to communicate more ages of 15 – 49 are HIV/AIDS related. of behaviour? effectively. Don’t take assumptions Surveys have revealed that many for granted children in South Africa have first-hand 3. Honour the intensity of desire and One of the greatest challenges is experience of bullying, theft, assault or ‘Life’s longing for itself’ to learn how to communicate and other crimes including rape. Women Sexual desire and the urge to connect differently and honestly with are not entirely innocent – either not procreate will not go away. The each other so that as men and women protecting their children or abusing relationship between men and women we can learn to trust each other at a them as well. is deeply intense and can be blissful, deeper level. We already have experts The Sunday Times recently reported and well developed techniques that that certain men were discussing should be applied more widely starting whether the State should pay for all The picture that with schools, communities, civil and Zuma’ s wives because it was a good emerges is that many religious institutions. model of male virility. I would like to Ability to really communicate is the ask them why they think it is a good men in South Africa first step to negotiating and finding thing to bring children into an unhappy do not believe women acceptable solutions for real practical cruel and loveless world before the are equal and treat problems, e.g. who is going to take care country is healed. of the children? If both are working, them with contempt, how can quality time be given to the How can we go forward? often having power children? If one partner is earning more Hopefully the suggestions below money, how can the other partner add to the long line of women and over them by using reciprocate? men who fully understand the value of violence or economic equality between men and women. 6. Provide positive female and male blackmail. role-models 1. Balance the fight against oppression with valid reasons for painful or both. How do we deal with 7. All women and men need to take equality the whole spectrum of sexual urges, responsibility and work together In a relatively new country we emotions, attitudes and assumptions for ensuring that our children can have to learn to work for the kind of so that it is not fraught with feelings experience love, security and hope society we would like and not just fight of danger, frustration and anger? With for the future against injustice. We need to do HIV/AIDS, for many young people, Our children are precious. The both. The most powerful tool of change sex is connected with danger, death, more our children and young people is to find ways of enabling people, fear and grief, not just with love. The can be physically, mentally, spiritually including children, to have good tragedy that they live must not be and emotionally healthy, the greater experiences so they know they have swept under the carpet. the chance of developing a caring, a choice. If as women and men, we happy, fair and vibrant society.  can share our dreams, we can 4. Invest more in reconciliation and then invent the steps and dance our healing References dream awake. Physical damage is painful, but Amien, Waheeda. 'Recent Developments in the Area of Women's Rights in South Africa: Focus on Domestic nothing to the trauma of emotional Violence and Femicide' in Jeremy Sarkin and William abuse and broken hearts. Mamphele Binchy (eds) Human Rights: the Citizen and the State. 2. Continue to protect the rights of South African and Irish Approaches (Ireland: Round Hall women Ramphele argues that, “We need to Sweet and Maxwell, 168-183 Perhaps it is time to re-visit the focus on ‘the psychological wounds of Youth Policy Initiative Round Table (2005, updated 2012) Constitution and check that there is our nation’ brought about by the legacy Ramphele, Mamphela. ‘Walking over the Wounded’ 2012. Citizens’ Movement for Social Change in South agreement about basic values. What of racism, sexism and engineered Africa does equality mean in practice? inequality over the past three centuries. The Constitution of South Africa. Bill of Rights

50 THE THINKER “When Women connect, the World changes” Debby Edelstein (Chair of the Women Leadership Conference) Planning Africa 2012 Conference will welcome prominent women in planning and development from across the African continent and beyond to speak and participate in debate on key issues in the African context. The value and inclusion of the different localised knowledge, experiences, strengths and views that women bring to the forum strengthen and complement the outcomes of the conference and visions of democratic governance and community building. The Conference Theme Settlements, whether large or small host a collection of people and resources, all with a specific determined relationship to each other. Urban and rural planning is about adding or protecting value in settlements to benefit everyone living or passing through these areas. There are a number of mechanisms, tools and skills that planners can use and combine in different contexts to create, add or protect value. It therefore raises key questions about: What values drive planning? How do and should planners distribute land values? How can planners reassert the use capital value and create new value on the African continent? The conference will highlight three major themes to guide discussions regarding issues or questions on the African continent: 1. How to cope with and/or positively steer unprecedented growth of settlements in the light of major urbanization and an increasing focus on the need for urban resilience? 2. How to do this in a democratic way that ensures governance systems that take into account the principles of equity, fair distribution and just management of resources? 3. How to include all people in the planning and implementation of infrastructure and services, to contribute to an improved quality of life and of the environment to the benefit of all? The Conference Programme The conference programme will feature national and international speakers including: Growth, democracy • Minister – Minister in The Presidency: National Planning Commission • Dr Aisa Kirabo Kacyira – Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary-General for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme UN-Habitat and inclusion: • Paul Farmer – Chief Executive Officer of the American Planning Association • Mr Greg Clark – International mentor and advisor on city and regional investment, development and governance Navigating • Christine Platt – President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners • Kabir M. Yari – Representative of the African Planning Association • Prof Phil Harrison – South African Research Chair in Development Planning and Modeling and contested futures Member of the National Planning Commission • Prof Madhu Bharti Sharma – Faculty of Planning and Public Policy, CEPT, India • Geci Karuri-Sabina – Executive Manager: Programmes, SA Cities Network (SACN) 17 – 19 September 2012 • Thulani Kuzwayo – Green Building Council • Martin Lewis – South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) International Convention Centre, • Kecia Rust – Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa Durban, South Africa • Paul Silver – FAIA NCARB, planner and programmer, facilities and asset management, architect Concurrent sessions will create intellectual debate and talk to key issues relevant in the African context. www.sapi.org.za The theme categories are: • National Planning • Regional Planning • Spatial Planning • Land Use Management • Infrastructure & Settlements • Layout Plans & Urban Design • Planning Skills • Planning Advocacy Conference Registrations Visit www.sapi.org.za for programme updates and speaker profiles. now open Who should participate Please visit www.sapi.org.za for the Registration Form, Conference All planning professionals in the public and private sector, from related professions in the planning and development arena (geographers, development planners, economists, public management, Programme updates, Sponsorship Opportunities and Exhibition Packages. sociologists, urban practioners, built environment professionals), researchers and academics, decision-makers in planning and development, donors, funders, local and regional development SAPI celebrates African women leadership and bodies and associations, coordinators of strategic initiatives, corporate strategic planners, architects congratulates Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on and property developers. her appointment as the Chair of the African To secure your place at the conference, please visit www.sapi.org.za to register. Union Commission.

Sponsors & Partners of Planning Africa 2012 • South African Cities Network (SACN) • Basil Read • Iyer Urban Design Studio • LH-S Professionals • African Planning Association • United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) • National Planning Commission (South Africa) • Gauteng Planning Commission • South African Cities Network (SACN) • South African Local Government Association (SALGA) • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) • South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) • Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) • Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) • South African Association of Consulting Professional Planners • Durban University of Technology • University of the Free State • University of Pretoria • University of the Witwatersrand • eThekwini Municipality

Volume 42 / 2012 51

PLANNING AFRICA CONFERENCE 2012 ~ 270 x 200 THE THINKER ADVERT POLITICS

WOMEN IN ENGINEERING © Shutterstock.com What holds us back?

Technology and engineering are at the core of any progress made by an aspiring developing country. If South Africa aims to gain the lost ground in economic development, then we have to take seriously the underlying causes of the low throughput of African male and female engineering graduates.

By Mamosa Motjope

he nation has not yet ideal was unbounded save by the simple than ever stretched before the eyes of found peace from its sins; ignorance of a lowly people” (W.E.B. wearied Israelites”. Decades after the “Tthe freedman has not yet Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk). Du emancipation of African Americans found in freedom his promised land. Bois describes how for two centuries from slavery, the African Americans Whatever of good may have come in African Americans worshipped the realised that “freedom” had been a these years of change, the shadow of idea of freedom as they saw slavery painful illusion, and will continue to be a deep disappointment rests upon the as the sum of all evil, sorrow and nothing more than an illusion without Negro people, - a disappointment all prejudice. “Emancipation was the key political and economic power. the more bitter because the unattained to a promised land of sweeter beauty For Africans globally, freedom still

52 THE THINKER ECONOMY eludes our grasp because we still have of African students who enrol to academic spheres such as ‘Grading the not consolidated our power from the study engineering annually. The Curve’. ‘Curve Grading’ is a statistical various spheres such as politics and most effective propaganda assertion method that is used to assign grades economics. This is the harsh reality is that Africans do not excel in maths to students to yield a pre-determined Africans are waking up to in South and science, Africans struggle with distribution of grades. In simple Africa. Despite the Rainbow Nation transition at university, Africans don't language, this method ensures that euphoria and endless compromises like maths and science, the quality the students’ marks are reallocated made by blacks to turn a blind eye on of education is very poor and so on. such that there will be, for example, the injustices and decades of crimes These institutions of higher education a top 10% with As, 80% with Bs and committed by whites against blacks, are then able to provide these as 10% with Cs. Different institutions will the nation has still not found peace. anecdotal evidence to justify the low use curves with different skews. For In hindsight, it is clear that the fight throughput of African engineering and example the marks could be allocated of African Americans is far from being science graduates. as 20% with As, 65% with Bs and 15% won as they find themselves in a web of with Fail. This simply means students threads of power - judicial, economic, do not get the marks they would have and political - that are continuously There are obvious scored on their exam papers. Once manipulated to cripple any progress parallels between the exam papers have been marked they try to make as a collective. There the struggles of then the marker will normalise the are obvious parallels between the raw scores and force fit them into the struggles of African Americans and African Americans Standard Curve used. the struggle of black South Africans and the struggle of Curve Grading is a very common post 1994. The only difference being normalisation practice and widely used that black South Africans have political black South Africans even outside the academic space, for power in a white economy. post 1994. The only example in corporates such as banks. The shackles around the feet and In the corporate world, this method necks of black South Africans have difference being can be used for normalising the not been removed but have been that black South performance appraisal ratings of the merely loosened to give an illusion of employees. What this means is that the freedom. These shackles are tightly Africans have political employees will obtain some appraisal held intact by the institutions that power in a white rating as rated by their managers, peers control the economy, education, the and clients. The appraisal ratings of judicial system and some government economy. employees may then be normalised. entities. The most unfortunate aspect Once again the employee can possibly of post-apartheid South Africa is that Undoubtedly, the quality of end up with a different rating to that Africans have political power and education in South Africa is shamefully which was given by the managers, yet consciously or unconsciously pathetic, even more so for science and peers or clients. The corporate administer this oppression on behalf of mathematics, but that does not mean explanation is that not everyone can monopoly capital. This self-oppression there is zero output of good maths and be a top performer, so the force fitting is a result of not fully analysing and science African Grade 12 students. of ratings into the company’s Standard understanding the nodes of power There are a considerable number of Curve separates the top performers, within the various institutions and the African students who have attended average worker and dead wood. invisible threads that tightly bind white private primary and high schools and There is absolutely nothing wrong power. In a similar disturbing pattern, hence have received the best education with the statistical method, provided women are not conscious of the invisible available in the country. One would that it is in a clear, transparent manner. power threads that render us powerless expect that these privileged African It is implemented in a homogenous in the academic and professional fields students would perform as well as society the ‘Curve Grading” can be despite the important role women their white counterparts in University a reasonable system to differentiate play in building a nation. As an African since they have had the same type of between performers and non- female Engineering graduate I will give education for more than a decade. This performers. But even in those societies insight into some gate-keeping tactics is however not necessarily the case, the Curve Grading can potentially be that keep African women and men out especially in engineering. There are used to discriminate against women. of the Engineering field. systematic hindrances that filter African However, in a heterogeneous Professional fields such as Science students out of engineering, year racially charged society like South and Engineering are white-male after year. Africa, ‘Curve Grading’ can be a dominated and will continue to Many African engineering drop-outs deadly statistical instrument utilised be so for as long as we do not fully or graduates know very well the level to systematically keep Africans at the understand the reasons behind the of institutionalised racism that exists bottom of the pyramid and the whites low throughput of African engineering in some of our universities and is well at the apex of that pyramid. This may graduates compared to the number concealed by global practices in the seem like a simple mishap but its effects

Volume 42 / 2012 53 POLITICS

are felt down the time line for the these power nuances is to understand change their minds or hearts. It has not individuals who are either empowered systematic racism that is embedded worked before and we know now that or disempowered by this system. in institutional processes and policies. transformation of industries will not In universities, one finds that upon These processes and policies when happen on a voluntary basis in South graduation the white students who applied fairly, can potentially serve a Africa. have been continuously ‘normalised’ good purpose reward performance. Similarly, transforming the to be at the top will get opportunities However in a country that is racially engineering field to have more to be recruited by the best local and charged it is foolish to think that these women will not happen by luck or by global companies. The African students processes and policies cannot be used wishful thinking. Very direct and clear who were ‘normalised’ to be at the in malicious ways to maintain the status interventions are necessary to ensure bottom will either be expelled due to quo of white power. that we can have female engineers academic ‘non-performance’ or if they Technology and engineering are at who will in future be well positioned do graduate their academic marks will the core of any progress made by an to establish engineering companies. prohibit them from being recruited by aspiring developing country. If South Almost two decades after achieving the best companies around. democracy we know for certain that When the African engineer we have not built institutions that eventually graduates to the workplace, Professional create self-reliance for Africans, and (s)he will encounter the very same fields such as Science particularly for African women. The system under the guise of performance reason has not been the lack of capital appraisal. The implementation of it and Engineering are in the country. There is plenty of by South African corporates makes white-male dominated capital available in the South African it clear that it is intended to do and will continue to be government funding institutions much more than normalise any sort to drastically change the level of of data. There is a perception that so for as long as we do entrepreneurship in the country. We this instrument is often used to give not fully understand can no longer accept that capital is advantage to white graduates and not easily accessible as if it is a fact of to set the African graduate up for a the reasons behind life. This is simply not true and must slow career progression. Performance the low throughput of be probed further. Do we have power appraisal ratings will typically affect nodes that systematically ensure that the salary increase, the bonus paid and African engineering capital flows in a particular direction the likelihood of getting a promotion graduates compared only and is not easily accessible to the within the organisation. Once the majority of the people? Do Africans corporate has this system in place it to the number of really have the power to change the then becomes fairly easy to show, African students direction of capital flow in these using fancy graphs, how Africans institutions? Are Africans merely playing are not skilled, not performing, who enrol to study an administrative role in moving capital need perpetual training and cannot engineering to maintain colonial power? I am not be promoted. The end result is annually. sure, but strongly feel we need to better that the corporate has justification understand the drivers behind the flow for not reaching their EE targets in of capital from government institutions terms of African representation and Africa aims to gain the lost ground in to private companies. women representation at the various economic development, then we have The ideal of a transformed economy managerial levels. This of course is to take seriously the underlying causes that has full participation of women in a lie that can be well hidden by the of the low throughput of African male technology is attainable. As the recently company’s systems and processes and female engineering graduates. We freed-men and freed-women in our because the ‘Curve Grading’ process is have to be honest about the fact that an beloved land we should not wait for very subjective. increase in African engineers is a threat freedom to find us, but proactively seek These are just few examples of nodes to some sectors of the society. We have to create the conditions for economic of power that are hard to identify and to be realistic about the fact that the freedom. For us to create these yet have a long term impact in shaping very people who feel threatened are conditions for economic freedom we the engineering industry and many the ones who ultimately decide how need to apply some critical thinking to other industries in South Africa. These many African engineering students the systems, processes and policies that nodes of power have been overlooked will pass or fail. They are also the very we encounter daily in our professional by the political policy setters and same individuals who decide when spheres. If we do not take progressive emphasis has been placed on ensuring engineers qualify to be engineering steps to analyse the institutional context that there is black representation in the professionals. These are power nodes and prepare ourselves to be change upper echelons of institutions such as that ultimately shape the engineering agents, then we will find ourselves with universities, corporates, government space and if we want to see change ambitions that do not reconcile with funding institutions, etc. To understand we cannot simply wish that they will our reality. 

54 THE THINKER Volume 42 / 2012 55 ECONOMY

South Africa’s women © Shutterstock.com The Untold Story

Increasing the economic participation of women creates a ‘multiplier effect’, which comes about when women earn an income; it is first spent on families and then the home. They invest in their children’s well-being, in their children’s education and in their communities.

By Jennifer Lindsey-Renton

56 THE THINKER ECONOMY

outh Africa is considered to on families and then the home. They can assist in fuelling an economic be one of the most forward- invest in their children’s well-being, in recovery. The potential impact for Sthinking countries in Africa their children’s education and in their women entrepreneurs on an economy when it comes to gender equality, communities.” is therefore significant. with the world’s most advanced Like The Hope Factory, WIPHOLD Although the rate of women’s constitution securing the rights of its is an example of an organisation entrepreneurship in Africa is higher female citizens. Nevertheless, there committed to black economic than in any other region, this is not a is still a severe shortage of women empowerment. According to Louisa sign of economic empowerment but in senior management positions in Mojela, founder and Group CEO, rather an attempt to survive. Women the workforce, with less than 5% “empowerment must benefit not only account for 40% of the non-agricultural of the CEOs at the helm of the top the thin upper stratum of successful labour force and make up 50% of the 100 companies listed on the JSE women, but women as a whole, self-employed, but compose only 25% being women. including the poorest and the most of employers. In the seven largest economies in disadvantage in our urban, peri-urban Research by Ernst & Young found Africa, the average participation of that entrepreneurship is a means for women in the labour force is 32.7%. women to move their families out of This means that there are insufficient Even on a small poverty. However, many women’s numbers of women who are actively scale, the formal “businesses” remain small, rarely involved in the production of goods employ others, and are subsistence and services, leaving a significant group finance sector does based. of untapped potential outside the not accommodate The challenges for African women economy. the needs of women are twofold. For those involved in “Being proactive about creating informal economic activities, the opportunities for women to who may not have challenge is to create access to more participate in the economy will collateral security to formal economic participation. For improve their earning potential, those who are educated and working enabling families to move out of offer for loans. Yet, in the formal sector, the challenge is to poverty and contribute to the overall research shows that move up the corporate ladder. economy”, explains Liz Zambonini, “International research provides CEO of enterprise development when women are the empirical evidence for the initiative, The Hope Factory. “In direct beneficiaries considerable contribution women addition, organisations can provide can make in improving organisational opportunities for leadership and of credit, their performance”, states Zambonini. “An entrepreneurship by creating repayment rates educated woman will not only provide role models. Research has shown an invaluable resource within an that women entrepreneurs are are higher across organisation, she will also be equipped better able to overcome a fear of all regions of to expand entrepreneurial activities, failure if they follow a role model the world. be employed or be an employer in who exemplifies risk-taking and high the formal sector, and harness the achievement.” multiplier effect within her family and One of the most significant and rural areas.” community.” barriers faced by women undertaking South African entrepreneurs According to an Inter-American entrepreneurial activities is access who started their entrepreneurial Development Bank report, “Without to finance. Even on a small scale, careers by creating a ‘home- a doubt, women joining the workforce the formal finance sector does not based enterprise’ (HBE), they have will increase the economic overall accommodate the needs of women contributed R6 billion to the economy efficiency of a country, whether who may not have collateral security annually. It is for this reason that we developed or developing”. to offer for loans. Yet, research shows need to support our women and Creating opportunities for women that when women are the direct assist them with the information and to participate in the economy beneficiaries of credit, their repayment resources they need to make a better will improve their earning potential, rates are higher across all regions of life for themselves, their families and assisting families to move out of the world. their communities. poverty and contribute to the overall “Our research has shown that Examples of situations where economy. women give back more to communities women entrepreneurs have used The potential impact for women than men”, says Zambonini. the resources offered to them to entrepreneurs on an economy is “Increasing the economic participation better their lives and those of their significant. Or as Michaëlle Jean, the of women creates a ‘multiplier communities abound, while globally, former Governor General of Canada effect’, which comes about when women-owned businesses are being aptly put it: “Empowering a woman is women earn an income; it is first spent recognised as engines of growth that empowering a nation”. 

Volume 42 / 2012 57 COMMUNICATION MAKING RIGHTS REAL FOR WOMEN © Shutterstock.com Changing conversations about empowerment

The article argues that although empowerment is a right, it should also be treated as a personal choice – as every individual woman has the opportunity to decide what empowers her and therefore fulfils her in her personal and professional life.

By Ronel Rensburg and Estelle de Beer

watched CNN to get a glimpse of faded. And the harsh realisation that and the rocklike nature of South the news headlines and came across through the centuries, more heed had African women had been famous (and Idevastating images of a woman being always been afforded to the ills of sometimes notorious!) symbols on the executed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, racism than sexism, hit home very hard. world stage and in the discourses of because she had been blamed for a But then I remembered that I am a our time. Changes in the South African dispute between two men and accused South African woman… environment to some extent, have of adultery. She was shot nine times at In the global arena South African made society aware of indubitable close range and as her burka turned women are hailed as possessing basic human rights and along with these crimson with spilt blood, her executers tenacity and endurance, yielding a the rights of women. However, there is laughed jokingly at her demise (CNN, 9 great deal of influence in both political usually a deep chasm between rhetoric July 2012, 08:00). and socio-economic spheres. The and reality. Ensuring that the rights of My hope for global gender equality concept of “mothers of the nation” women move from latent to manifest

58 THE THINKER COMMUNICATION reality has become a challenge for the democracy and continuous social making it a reality? current and next generation. learning. In such a definition, the • Do South African women This article attempts to provide initiative is relayed to individuals and comprehend that an empowered some proposals from a communication communities. The economic, political nation is a nation of empowered management perspective, to help and social potential of households individuals – men, women and address the issues of women’s is emphasised. Empowerment is a children? empowerment in South Africa. multi-dimensional social process. • Could the reality of empowerment However, nobody really has the right Through acting on important issues lie in the freedom of individual to be pedantic or prescriptive and there that they view as challenges in their choices that women make - on a are indeed many ways to approach immediate environment, people daily basis - in their personal lives, the debate on empowerment or lack become empowered. Empowerment working environment, in society thereof. This article does not work from – in the South African context - should and on a national and global stage? a prescriptive hegemony but from an • Is there still a resistance to objective observation that the rights of Recent theories empowerment and how will women women and their empowerment are deal with this small-mindedness in still rhetoric and are not coming to full of development future? fruition – that their rights are therefore communication not yet made real. Power as an essential ingredient of consider the lack of empowerment Contextualising empowerment religious, political, This article posits that the concept The term “empowerment” has come of “power” underlies the debate about into common usage and is often open economic and “empowerment”. Decades after the not only to ambiguous interpretation, cultural power death of Michel Foucault, his work still but also to misuse. Recent theories of provides useful agendas for describing development communication consider of disempowered the power of women. There is a lot the lack of religious, political, economic sections of the of feminist literature that appropriates and cultural power of disempowered community as the Foucault’s analysis of the effects of sections of the community as the power. His adage: “Where there is a central problem to be addressed in central problem power, there is resistance”, is a fitting development. to be addressed in universal description for the lack of Empowerment is a construct transfer of power to women in certain shared by many disciplines and development. parts of the world. Power is inherent arenas: inter alia politics, community to empowerment. If power cannot development, psychology, education, ideally become a mechanism by change then empowerment is not economics, sociology, studies of social which individuals, organisations and possible. Power can also expand and movements and organisations, as well as communities gain mastery over their in so doing empowerment can be development. Empowerment also takes existence. It is about the way things are expanded. on different forms, in different contexts now, and how they can be made better and for different people. Zimmerman in future. Empowerment is a right and a (1984) asserted that a single definition of personal choice empowerment might make attempts to Contemplating empowerment Basic human rights are strongly actively achieve reality of empowerment of South African women – a few defined in the South African Constitution too formulaic, and thus demeaning the questions and from this given constitutional very concept of empowerment. South African women have been paradigm the empowerment of There are many definitions of given the right to empowerment by the women can be interpreted as a given. empowerment, but a synthesis South African Constitution – arguably The empowerment of women can of descriptions could be to view one of the most encompassing and also be seen as pivotal to improving empowerment as the access to sophisticated constitutions of its kind in the quality of life of all citizens (men, development of knowledge, skills and the world. Against this backdrop various children, other women) and freeing abilities in people to enable them to questions about our understanding of the potential of each individual with control and develop their own actuality. empowerment can be raised: whom women interact. Empowerment Empowerment in the context of this • Are South African women taking in its purest from should imply article is about people having expanded and illustrating responsibility for human dignity and freedom of any choices and a much greater level of their empowered position? given discrimination. Empowerment involvement and control in all parts of • Are South African women accepting is acknowledged in South Africa their personal, family and community this right, conversing about it, and in most parts of the world, but lives. Empowerment places an emphasis using the power thereof in a non- there are still battles to be fought in on autonomy in community decision- threatening way, living it and certain areas as fundamentalist making, local and self-reliance, direct therefore bringing it into action and religions and dogmatic cultural belief

Volume 42 / 2012 59 COMMUNICATION

systems are often used by manmade in the environments in which they different sexual preferences is self- political ideologies to deny women find themselves) and young women empowerment in itself. basic rights and abuse them. The article across the world must be made mindful Empowerment of women equals argues that although empowerment is of the fact that they have not been empowerment of men. Transferring a right, it should also be treated as a victims and that their heritage is not empowerment to men is powerful personal choice – as every individual victimisation. self-empowerment, but also an woman has the opportunity to immense future responsibility for decide what empowers her and In lieu of the women. Men across the world have therefore fulfils her in her personal and to cope with severe changes in professional life. unfortunate past of the political, economic and social the implementation spheres. They have lost the mighty Empowerment is self-empowerment power that they have once had. In a In lieu of the unfortunate past of of the rights of bygone era men had to be the sole the implementation of the rights of women through the breadwinners, strong decision-makers, women through the centuries, there problem-solvers, captains of industry, must be a comprehension (albeit not centuries, there must walking testosterone and the pillars always sympathy) for feminist outrage be a comprehension of communities. Once they were and backlash. However, the question demigods and now they are mere remains whether the harshness of (albeit not always power-sharers and in some cases postmodern feminist theory and sympathy) for totally disempowered. practice should be seen as an ideal feminist outrage and Mutually empowering relationships instrument in addressing the lack of are important in the process of women’s rights and therefore their backlash. empowerment. The responsibility of empowerment that still persists in women is to help create and sustain contemporary society. There is power Strong and successful women in relationships and relational contexts in the exercise and realisation of self- business and society are often being that could empower all people in all empowerment and that people in depicted in an aggressive manner in the life activities. organisations and communities should media. They are portrayed to be “more be availed opportunities for and access like men” and not as empowered Empowerment is a call towards to empowerment. The mothers of the women. This portrayal has left many an action townships have power, so does the audience with the image that thriving Life is continuous evolvement CEO of an organisation, the politician, women need to be aggressive to make and empowerment can be viewed the international actress, the caregiver their point, which is not the case. If as an evolutionary process. Within and the domestic worker – if they women feel that they are empowered, the framework of rights that also choose to empower themselves. they will assertively and confidently may change in future, society needs Empowered women are satisfied illustrate that power. to be aware of the evolvement of and free to select what makes them empowerment as well as acting happy. Thus the cliché (but the truth): Empowerment is a responsibility responsibly to accommodate this. nobody has the right to empower Empowerment is a responsibility Empowerment should ideally be a others. People can only empower as women who feel empowered sustainable process of development. themselves. Individuals, organisations also provide opportunities for the South African women are the and governments can provide access to empowerment of the men, children transferors of values, mores and social the means of empowerment of others, and other women in their surrounding codes. They are the carers and the though. Self-empowerment is the world. An empowered woman will shapers of themselves, their families security of identity within. take responsibility for the prosperity of and their communities. They should Empowered women never claim herself, her family and her community. confront their existence, engage to be victims. A danger lies in the Self-empowered women should in conversation with others, and victimisation argument, because assist in the access to the means of communicate about how to embrace playing victim runs the danger of empowerment for others. the responsibility of empowerment. crafting the demise of real women’s The freedom of sexual preference Women need to illustrate their self- empowerment. The backlash against is still wanting across the globe. In empowerment through their work and “political correctness” of being forced South Africa there is an iconoclastic activities. Words must translate into to allow everything to women because negativity regarding gay relationships actions. they are women is also not the route and practices. The freedom of to take any longer. Women consent to sexual orientation is also a right in A communication management disempowerment if they play victims. the Constitution. Too often still do framework for women’s Never in history have women been we see “corrective rape” of lesbian empowerment freer than today (if they have the women to “cure” them of their lesbian As communication is of paramount freedom to choose empowerment hankerings. Tolerance for others with importance in the process of

60 THE THINKER COMMUNICATION empowerment, the following are to and debating what it means promotion of empowerment. proposals from a communication to be self-empowered women in An outcomes-based or results- management perspective: contemporary society. Empowered driven approach to development • Empowerment should be viewed women should celebrate and share programmes is appropriate for as good governance, promoted - through the telling of their stories the strategic shift to a governance in civil society and seen as part – no matter whether these stories objective to promote broader of sustainable development. A are about success or failure. They citizen participation and education. national communication strategy for should portray their realities through Education is pivotal in understanding empowerment could be developed. continuous conversation. Storytelling empowerment. • Times are changing and with this could become case studies and there are changing discourses about frameworks for the lessons learned Concluding remarks sexuality and sharing in gender from the battlefield of empowerment There are still misconceptions power relationships. Educational of women in the workplace and on as to what empowerment is and programmes encapsulating the the playing field of life. how to define it and these are being importance of recognising and • Even if it is written in the perpetuated by limited human tolerating sexual preferences and Constitution that women have frameworks. The expression: “we role diversities, as well as how to rights and should be empowered, should empower women” is often interpret media images and content, action should be more visible. uttered. This is a fallacy. No one are suggested. Despite our very sophisticated person or institution can empower • Support systems and mechanisms Constitution, the realities of many another. People empower themselves, for empowerment should not people will only change when a but they need to have the tools and only concentrate on realising shared value system is present in recourse to do so. The discourse about gender equality and women’s the South African environment. empowerment should change – into empowerment, but to achieve Although values are cultural-based, becoming a continuous conversation. future objectives in sustainable basic values are universal and are The conversation about women, development. Women’s voiced in the Constitution, but their roles, their power and their empowerment could influence the Constitution and its meaning empowerment should move from poverty reduction, democratic should become a living document. rhetoric to reality. This is not the sole governance, crisis prevention and It could be reframed and vigorously responsibility of government, but the recovery, as well as environmental communicated to reach all responsibility of all people. sustainability. stakeholders in South Africa. To the breasts that fed the village, • Self-empowered women are agents • A holistic approach, and focused to the havens that wiped our tears, of change and important role institutional training mechanisms to the hands that cooked our meals, players in sustainable business. for empowerment, is on the wish to the fingers that dressed us, to the Empowerment mechanisms and list. Active engagement with various powers in the corporate corridors, to programmes particularly for rural stakeholders will be necessary the brave hearts in government, to the women in the developing world to achieve this outcome, such as nobles who teach our children, to the are key to boosting the welfare of mentorship programmes for young bearers of our nation – you are already society. businesswomen. empowered. • The empowerment of women lies • Transformative knowledge is “It is not what you call me, but what in continuous conversation, listening necessary when it comes to the I answer to.” African proverb. 

Volume 42 / 2012 61 DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS

© Department of Water Affairs Adopt-a-River

Deputy Minister of Water Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi presenting an award at The Women in Water Awards.

By Department of Water Affairs

he Adopt-a-River project aims to saving, skills development for our 4. Basic water quality testing. piece together in a sustainable youth, job creation, an improvement 5. Water purification. Tmanner the objectives of aquatic of water quality and of the state of our 6. Turning waste into wealth: taking ecosystem health, economic growth, rivers. some of the waste taken out of human health and co-dependent It is through this programme these rivers to recycling sites for land and water use principles. Human that the Department reaches out to cash. behaviour lies at the hub of most, if communities and, in particular women, 7. Leadership development. not all, of these aspects and will be as custodians of water. • Alleviating poverty and creating treated as the key success factor in the temporary jobs. All employees sustainability of the programme. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT receive a stipend of above R1000 Socially, this project is aimed at • Cleaning solid waste from river per month. improving the lives of women (with or banks. • Promoting a spirit of volunteerism. without disabilities) within or without • Provision of work-based training • Enhancing community participation the youth category. The beneficiaries programs including basic water in cleaning their environment and should be from poor rural backgrounds quality testing to monitor the promoting more public sector and female headed households of the quality of water in rivers that accountability. identified vicinity or location. increase opportunities for women • Providing education on preserving The Adopt-a-River approach to participate in the workforce. the environment. enables the active participation of • Creating training opportunities that • Providing communities with a communities in our programmes and promote self-esteem and life skills caring and trusting environment that projects to ensure sustainability. The development. The courses they encourages personal development municipalities, sector partners, tertiary undergo include, but are not limited and offers a breeding ground for institutions, schools, private sector, to: talent. agricultural communities, industries, 1. Water safety and First-Aid. • Promoting partnerships and community leaders and women in the 2. The use of Personal Protective volunteer actions that will facilitate vicinity of targeted rivers will be the Equipment (PPE). the fulfillment of the Departmental key role players of the Adopt-a-River 3. The separation of different waste mission of providing sustainable project. The spinoffs here will be water streams. water resources.

62 THE THINKER DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS

PRIORITY RIVERS, REGIONS of CBOs and NGOs as providers of knowledge and experience. AND NUMBER OF WOMEN essential services to communities in 5. To recognise women organisations PARTICIPATING the water sector are acknowledged and which support the following national The following rivers have been strengthened through this programme. objectives on water: identified as priorities for the initial The NGOs and CBOs have a • Water conservation and implementation of the Adopt-a-River long history of sectoral involvement management project and which provide for rural in addressing the basic needs of • Access and delivery development and, specifically, the marginalised groups. Most of these • Poverty alleviation empowerment of women within and organisations often suffer from • Public awareness without the youth bracket. organisational weaknesses which 6. To encourage women and women groups to be more active in the Name of river Province Number of rural women water sector. 7. To encourage greater community Isipingo KwaZulu-Natal 100 involvement by all in water Luvhuvhu Limpopo 100 management. 8. To encourage private and public Buffalo Eastern Cape 100 organisation in water to promote a Mthatha Eastern Cape 216 greater role for women. Kalspruit Gauteng 200 Categories Jukskei North West 100 There are four categories: Category 1: Adopt-a-river Mutale Limpopo 100 Category 2: Education and awareness Shixini Eastern Cape 30 youths Category 3: Water conservation and demand management Grade Spruit Mpumalanga 44 Category 4: Community development WilgeRivier Free State 20 Prizes: WOMEN IN WATER AWARDS inhibit their impact, including isolation First Prize = R100 000 The Department of Water Affairs from each other and from policy- Second Prize = R50 000 recognises that our sources of water are makers, an inability to argue for Third Prize = R20 000 a fundamental sources of life that need appropriate interventions, and an to be protected, cleaned, preserved, inability to disseminate and accumulate Rural Development Approach and properly managed for sustainable knowledge. In empowering women Water related projects are identified development. they are strengthening departmental in all the rural villages of provinces Women in Water Awards was capacity with regard to implementing of South Africa. These projects are launched in 2002 as Women in its mandate. Women constitute supposed to be women initiated or Water and Sanitation Awards. These a greater percentage of the South managed. Preference is given to those awards therefore serve as a vehicle African population and their power that are comprised of more than for the Department to appreciate can be a very strong force to reckon one woman and benefitting more and recognise the good work women with. The aiding and support of these than one household. Each winning individually and in projects have structures at national, regional and project should use 40% of the winning been doing, unaware that they even international, levels is not only towards the stipend of members and have been playing a vital role in the appropriate but essential. 60% towards the development and water sector. The awards encourage strengthening of the project. the perseverance of communities Objectives The award-giving ceremony is in difficult conditions and without 1. To develop a strategy to disseminate held in a rural village, not towns or resources, and finally, inspire other information and put forward a townships. Guests of honour are communities to learn good practices of positive image of empowered women villagers. Usually after such water management and change their women to serve as examples and an event a lot of villagers enquire attitudes. role models. about starting their own projects. Poor Water Affairs ensures a holistic 2. To showcase the variety of women- women-headed households in those approach in ensuring the conservation initiated water projects, and expose villages receive rainwater harvesting of our natural resources by affording innovation and sustainable solutions tanks for access to water and food other organisations an opportunity to water management. production at a family unit scale.  to participate in the realisation of 3. To share best practices in water this mandate. The power of forming conservations and water care. partnerships with NGOs and CBOs 4. To develop and maintain cannot be underestimated. The roles partnerships and share skills,

Volume 42 / 2012 63 HEALTH

1990s, primarily in response to the COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS HIV and AIDs crisis in the country. During this period lay workers received basic but specialised training from © iStockphoto.com various NGOs and FBOs (Schneider & Lehmannm, 2010). They carry out a broad range of tasks, such as palliative care, counselling, health promotion and treatment support, which are necessary to bridge the gap between the rural poor and the health system. In 2000 the government, in response to an increasing demand for health care, introduced a grant system to support Changing ‘home and community based care’ (Department of Health, 2001). The roles, increasing need, and inevitable reliance on lay health workers, particularly in poor rural areas, has resulted in shifting thinking a steady escalation of individuals working in this capacity (Schneider & Lehmann, 2010). The CHW system The system which plays to the gender has thus evolved from a relatively small numbers of specialised CHWs working stereotype of predominantly women under the guidance of NGOs, to a relatively large number of more general providing community care needs to be altered non-professionals tasked with new forms of service provision. In 2003 the to emancipate women as part of its core government passed the Community structure. Government has committed itself Care Givers policy framework, which recognised lay workers as regular to this end through progressive gender policies. employees and made provision for a minimum stipend (Department of Health, 2003). Furthermore, during By Melanie Roberts and Nicola Stuart-Thompson the course of the reorganisation of the primary health system in South Africa, CHWs are intended to become part he incorporation of ‘lay health majority being rural women – in order of the system (Department of Health, workers’ (LHWs) such as to better understand the environment 2011). Government has thus become TCommunity Health Workers in which these individuals work and the primary funder and driver of this (CHWs) within the broader health offer some insight into how this might system over the past decade, and system is a common phenomenon, be improved in the future. it is therefore necessary to ensure particularly in developing countries The mandate for gender equality in that the system develops within the where health systems are burdened South Africa is clearly enshrined in the framework of gender equality set out by severe shortages of staff and the constitution as well as well as additional in the aforementioned agreements and inequitable distribution of this staff departmental documents. In addition legislation. (Lehmann & Sanders, 2007). In South to this framework, South Africa is CHWs straddle the line between Africa this has been aggravated by high signatory to the main international and community helpers and health care levels of HIV/AIDS and the need for regional conventions and agreements professionals. As community members, care. With most health professionals in relating to gender equality and the they are flexible, approachable and part South Africa existing within the private protection of women. Despite the of the social structures and stereotypes, sector and in urban areas, the rural “building blocks for a gender equitable providing care to their neighbours and poor are left even more vulnerable society” being in place, there remain peers; but this is a fine line to balance (Daniels et al, 2012). The effectiveness substantial challenges in translating upon, as the professional system to of the CHW, however, is limited by the this into substantive improvements on which they contribute is poorly regulated context in which they are accepted and the ground. (Commission for Gender and lacks support. These women recognised by their peers. This article Equality, 2011) have been empowered in their roles draws upon experiences of gender A system of lay health workers took as health care workers, but they deal discrimination against CHWs - the vast root in South Africa during the early with discrimination and uninformed

64 THE THINKER HEALTH community reaction to them on a is worried that when a patient dies, carers for their services, and the CHWs daily basis. Ensuring effectiveness and “they will say you killed him because often rely on women within the house efficiency of their work necessitates a the patient is bedridden. They might to notify them of health issues or to support system which understands and think I came with muti.” Another fear provide them with information relevant recognises these tensions and identifies is with regards to rumours being spread to the provision of care services. appropriate measures of alleviating about the women working with male When they work with female patients, these additional burdens. patients, as “it is because he is a man they are more open about telling the and he is not mine so people may talk.” CHWs about their issues, and even A Community Health Worker • Bathing male patients is a rely on them for emotional support. Perspective: challenge: They further noted that female family CHoiCe Trust, an NGO based in Despite having received some members of patients are resources Limpopo Province, carried out a study training on how to bath bedridden or of household care, while their male in 2011 with 12 CHWs in order to very ill patients, CHWs struggle with counterparts are not supportive. One identify gender issues in the external the nakedness of male community carer shared that “most of the time I environment between caregivers and members. Some of this is a difficulty work where there is a female patient, patients and between caregivers and experienced by the CHW herself, as because the husband cannot be able the community. The study was shared she feels uncomfortable seeing a male’s to do everything for his wife, but if with over fifty stakeholders (including penis if he is not her husband; some of the husband is sick most of them are caregivers) in gender workshops, the difficulty is that male patients will supported by their wives.” and the findings were discussed and not permit the female caregivers to bath Their contribution towards gender unanimously confirmed by participants them as they are uncomfortable with understanding around prevention based on their own experiences. being seen naked by the women; and of HIV/AIDS is also key. The CHWs From the interviews, the following some difficulty is with regards to what reported that they try to dedicate key aspects arose: other people, such as patient families, most of their time in engaging with • Male patients do not talk feel about having the male patient being men around prevention, but that they openly to CHWs: seen naked by a non-family member. struggle to get the message across. A The female CHWs discussed • CHWs sometimes fear for carer found that the men often tell difficulties in working with male their safety: her that “women are the ones who patients who will not discuss their health Caregivers discussed that working need to be taught about HIV – that is problems with the CHWs. This is most with male patients when they are alone where we have a problem. But we tell extreme with the younger CHWs, who in the house or when the CHW has them that HIV does not infect a man feel that they may be trusted more to see them in some form of undress or a woman only, but it infects both when they are older. makes them fear for their safety. One of us. Sometimes we even go for the • Female CHWs lack the CHW shared that she will always help second time and the third time for authority to tell male patients what to a male patient to dress outside of his him to understand.” This information do: house so that she is protected, and is pivotal in designing a prevention One CHW shared that this was another shared she feared that even programme which is best received by because “they have the power. We grew bedridden patients “has(ve) feelings, he the community and which brings about up knowing that men take the decision; might rape me one day.” behavioural change. a woman cannot say anything.” The concerns and issues faced by the • CHWs are not trusted with predominantly female caregivers are Moving Beyond Care confidential information: crucial to recognising and understanding Community spirit, compassion, There is the general feeling that community systems for the effective care and dedication are all qualities women ‘gossip’ and therefore cannot implementation of a community- that are associated with the origins be trusted with sensitive patient based health approach. Incorporating of the CHW system, and while these information. The CHWs talked about these workers into a system which are admirable, the purpose and scale the ‘secrets’ of the patients and the provides them with support and works of this system have changed, and as fact that male caregivers are trusted to empower them and the community such how we proceed needs to be more not to tell other community for reduced gender discrimination is a reconsidered. Many theorists and members about the health details of the central aspect of moving forward into practitioners question whether home households they visit. professionalised service. based care, as currently undertaken • The CHWs face rumours The CHWs are also able to identify and envisaged by the state, shifts being spread about them: gender issues which restrict their ability the responsibility of care onto the The issue of rumours about their and their reach, and which thereby households and the women with role arose in different interviews. The significantly reduce the impact of those households (Daniels et al 2012). CHWs shared that there are some the community-based system on its Morrell and Jewkes (2011) ask whether community members who distrust them intended beneficiaries. The CHWs enough is being done to engage men because they are always seen with sick discussed that young men are least in care work. Research suggests that people, with one CHW stating that she likely to engage with home-based when men engage in this form of

Volume 42 / 2012 65 HEALTH

work it challenges the gender norms is in the process of being formally by showing that men can play a role The concerns and incorporated. in an area of work generally regarded issues faced by The current movements with the as the responsibility of women – thus the predominantly re-engineering of primary health demonstrating alternative masculinity. care are positive developments for Challenging ideas of hegemonic female caregivers are the professionalisation of caregivers masculinity will however take time crucial to recognising creating the space for better and is not necessarily an inevitable monitoring and support and ultimately result. Creating a space for a wider and understanding an improved working environment. societal process in which values and community systems However, Lehmann and Sanders (2007) identities are able to shift – eventually warn against CHWs being utilised as allowing for a more equal distribution for the effective a panacea for weak health systems, of labour – depends on “moving implementation of emphasising that “large-scale CHW beyond a stereotypical caring function systems require substantial increases and possessing sufficient systems a community-based in support for training, management, knowledge and moral authority” health approach. supervision and logistics”. (Schneider & Lehmann 2010: 65). While professionalisation of CHWs The CHWs should be seen The lack of clear roles and and all that that entails is essential, it as professionals, and as such the responsibilities also means that the is imperative to note that this shift fieldworkers should be afforded the quality of the service cannot be in scale and structure necessitates a privilege and respect that accompanies guaranteed. The longer this situation corresponding shift in thinking. The an understanding of this by their exists with fragmented services, system which plays to the gender peers. This will ensure that their work differing levels of training and reporting stereotype of predominantly women is recognised as a service and not as a challenges, the more the sector will be providing community care needs to be lay function provided by a volunteer compromised. Recent moves towards altered to emancipate women as part with little authority and health standardising the requirements and of its core structure. Government has knowledge. To this end, appropriate conditions of the work will go a long committed itself to this end through planning should be taking place in way towards ensuring a quality service progressive gender policies. Ensuring establishing routes and households for which is guaranteed as a government that this comes to the fore in the visits by caregivers, and there should deliverable towards a healthier current re-alignment will be key to be key referral persons identified for community. establishing an empowered profession the reporting of unsafe situations or which uplifts women and men in the situations in which the caregivers felt Conclusions: Striking the balance community while providing a quality threatened in any way. The referral The CHW system is dominated service to vulnerable community system itself should be known amongst by women who work in challenging members for the prevention and the community, presenting yet another environments. This article explored alleviation of the burden of disease in layer to the professionalism of the the dynamics of the situation in order South Africa.  LHWs as the clear entry-point into the to contribute to a wider understanding formal primary health sector. of the gender discrimination faced by References CHoiCe Trust & Irish Aid. (2011) Health & HIV and The professionalisation of the sector these workers and to promote a more AIDS and gender: Final progress report, Greater Tzaneen: would further contribute towards effective health care system for the Choice Trust. Commission for gender and equality. (2011) Challenges increasing the power of the women future. Resources are often restricted facing South Africa in relation to gender equality providing the service. The current even as the burden of disease continues, Daniels, K & Clarke, M & Ringsberg, K. (2012) Developing making it even more essential that lay health worker policy in South Africa: A qualitative lack of clear roles and responsibilities study, Health Research Policy and Systems 10 (8). has resulted in a generally poor level services provided within the community Department of Health. (2001) National guidelines on are most accessible and effective. homebased care and community-based care. Pretoria, of “voice and power” as a collective South Africa: Department of health. (Daniels et al, 2012). The tasks Home-based care emerged amongst Department of Health. (2003) Community health workers’ the NGO sector as a solution of health policy framework. Pretoria, South Africa: Department of undertaken by CHWs are physically, health. emotionally, socially and economically care services delivered directly to Department of Health. (2011) Annual performance plan. stressful – and are often performed with vulnerable beneficiaries who struggle Pretoria, South Africa Lehmann, U., & Sanders, D. (2007). Community health minimal support. The health workers with accessing formal health care. It workers: what do we know about them? The state of the “who are not adequately cared for may started out as a small-scale response evidence on programmes, activities, costs and impact on health outcomes of using community health workers. deliver a less than adequate service” which was designed within a set Evidence and Information for Policy, Department of (Daniels et al, 2012). This is therefore geographic area based on the needs Human Resources for Health. Geneva: WHO. Morrell, R & Jewkes, R. (2011) Care work and caring: A not sustainable, especially given the of the particular beneficiaries in path to gender equitable practices among men in South increasing role of CHWs. Who better question and at the dictate of the NGO Africa. International Journal for equity in health, Volume 10 (17). than these individuals to highlight providing the service. It has evolved Schneider, H & Lehmann, U (2010): Lay health workers the weaknesses in the system, and to and expanded over the years to feed and HIV programmes: implications for health systems, AIDS Care. Psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of advocate improvements? into formal government systems, and AIDS/HIV, 22 (S1), pp 60-67.

66 THE THINKER TheTheTheFF O O R R T T H H OThinkerThinkerThinker O U U G G HH T T L L E E A A DERSDERS SUBSCR I B E T O D A Y

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Volume 8 / 2009 6767 www.thethinker.co.za • Fax:+27 (0)86 608 4799 • Tel: +27 (0)11 325 2078 INTERNATIONAL SOUTH AFRICAN FOREIGN POLICY © iStockphoto.com

A practitioner’s perspective

Young people have much to learn from listening to these narratives, discussing, thinking and reading about the way we reached the positions adopted today.

By Petunia Mpoza

he 27th of April 1994, marked have experienced, if not shared and charting the country’s path of socio- a turning point in South Africa’s recorded, the history of events leading economic development and foreign Tpolitical and social history. For to the abolition of apartheid and relations on the continent and many South Africans this date marked the process leading to South Africa’s internationally. The symposium, the end of apartheid and the beginning current positioning in international which was held in conjunction with of a new ‘rainbow nation’. relations and its participation in global the Monash Africa Centre, hosted at However, questions about the affairs. Young people have much to Monash South Africa, had the theme turning point are still asked, especially learn from listening to these narratives, South African Policy: A Practitioner’s by the so called ‘born free’ generation, discussing, thinking and reading about Perspective. born post-1994, some of whom only the way we reached the positions Contributors to the dialogue know that uTata Nelson Mandela adopted today. included Ambassador Victor was the first black President, sharing a The Young People in International Zazeraj (Former South African Nobel Peace Prize with F.W. de Klerk. Affairs Symposium (YPIA) aimed to Ambassador to Chile and Poland), Yet there are many people, amongst analyse South Africa’s past successes Dr Essop Pahad, (Former Minister in them scholars, researchers, historians, and failures by unpacking the present the Presidency), Ambassador Thomas commentators and activists, who quandaries within the context of Wheeler (Former South African

68 THE THINKER INTERNATIONAL

Ambassador to Turkey, Former Chief It was against the backdrop of leadership style towards the Director: Latin America and the the existing international affairs consolidation of the document titled Caribbean) and Ambassador Lindiwe department before it came to power the ‘White Paper’. From his tone, Zulu (President Zuma’s International that the ANC developed its ‘African both documents were commendable. Relations Adviser). Agenda’. This prioritised the well However, he highlighted weaknesses Dr Scott Firsing, the Founder and being and security of other African in both documents, and made it clear President of YPIA and senior lecturer countries; an agenda that further that future hindrances moving ahead in International Studies, gave direction continued as the African Renaissance lie in implementation. He also raised by making mention of ‘different during Thabo Mbeki’s tenure: one that the importance of South Africa’s views’ and ‘disconnect’ within the both witnessed and participated in the international image both as a host context of South Africa’s pubertal transition of the Organisation of African to other diplomats and as the democracy and its foreign policy Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU) appointer and manager of our own which to any individual would raise diplomats abroad. further enquiry about the institutions It was against the Under the same theme, current that best represent our foreign policy. SA foreign policy, Ambassador Zulu Ambassador Zazeraj’s approach to backdrop of the systematically worked her narrative from the discussion focused on the 1980s, existing international a point of perception as she compared ten years before the release of uTata and contrasted the presentations by Nelson Mandela and the unbanning affairs department Ambassador Zazeraj and Dr Pahad, also of the ANC and other progressive before it came to power as a means of highlighting Dr. Firsing’s organisations. His narrative centred question of disconnection. As she on the times of , who served that the ANC developed continued, she candidly shared with as Foreign Minister in the last years of its ‘African Agenda’. the audience important documents the apartheid era, remembered by the to consult in light of the upcoming speaker as a liberal politician within This prioritised the ANC policy conference, namely: the the then ruling National Party and the well-being and security ANC Strategy and Tactics document Afrikaner community, whose foreign of other African as well as the policy document on policy rested fundamentally on the International Relations. With a firm security of the regional environment. countries; an agenda tone she explained South Africa’s Ambassador Zazeraj gave prominence that further continued continued campaign in support of Dr to the role of Mr. Botha in our Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and justified Foreign Policy, concluding that it was as the African the motivations for this, one of them one which was liberal in nature and Renaissance during being the principle of rotation. Before strategically executed in time for a she concluded she shared her concerns transition in South Africa. Thabo Mbeki’s over peace, security and stability As accounts and constructions tenure. in the continent, stressing that this continued, the former Minister shall remain a priority on the in the Presidency, Essop Pahad, which was inaugurated in Durban national agenda. disagreed with the previous speaker’s 2002; and the New Partnership for Commenting on the role of perspective. He explained the ANC’s Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Both business, Ambassador Zazeraj negotiations with South Africa during were important milestones in the further shared how South African Pik Botha’s leadership, as well as the process of creating a unified continent foreign policy impacts on industry. main elements of the foreign policy politically and economically, further He explained that the government of the administrations of former complementing the ideals of the ANC had done excellent work as they had Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo and a working Foreign Policy. opened the economy to the rest of the Mbeki. The attention of the audience Was it working? Is it working? As world and they had created numerous was drawn to the foundations already simple as it may sound Ambassador opportunities for the private sector by in place in light of the international Wheeler consulted the April 2012 signing trade agreements. However, policy of the African National Congress DIRCO budget vote and the May the unfortunate part was that due to (ANC) in union with other members of 2011 South African White Paper to poverty and inequality South Africa the alliance, namely, the South African best answer this question in relation still has to rely heavily on foreign Communist Party (SACP), who played to the current foreign policy, starting investment. a pivotal role in infusing amongst our from 1994. He creatively and critically The event effectively provided people a deep sense of Internationalism looked at both documents and shared an open platform for interactive and and International Solidarity; as well his findings, from a series of strategy candid dialogue between former as the Congress of the South African documents accessible from the DIRCO diplomats and the attendees; safe to Trade Unions (COSATU) and its website, to the Minister of International say, it was thus the unheard narratives affiliates such as the National Union of Relations and Co-operation Maite of the past that made the foreign policy Mineworkers (NUM). Nkoana-Mashabane’s consultative not so foreign. 

Volume 42 / 2012 69 CREATIVE LENS © iStockphoto.com

T h r o uCreative g h a Lens

The Editor welcomes contributions that take into account The Thinker’s vision of a democratic, non- racial, non-sexist and caring South Africa. Submissions of poetry and the written word should be brief. For visual material, a high-resolution document is required (300dpi Jpeg). Please send your work electronically to [email protected] for consideration.

Bridget Pitt has occupied herself with a range of pursuits in her life, including political activism, teaching, painting, poetry and writing. Previously we have published some of her intensely moving poems, and a short piece on the art of writing. In this issue we reproduce two poems from a new series she is working on. Bridget writes: “They are part of a series I am doing which combines poetry and art. I've called the series Earth Laments, and it is essentially a commentary on the age old tragedy that while most of nature sustains itself through a complex and highly tuned collaborative endeavour, humans consistently seem determined to disrupt the balance of this, even when their own continued survival is at stake, and even though of all species they are best equipped to perceive and understand it. This is a tragedy in the most classic literary sense, when the main protagonist is doomed through lack of foresight, hubris, or some inner compulsion to bring about his/her own destruction. The artwork and the poetry is interwoven, and ideally should be shown together - particularly in the case of ‘Salvation swims towards us.’ ”

70 THE THINKER CREATIVE LENS

This painting was based on a photograph of a man trying to douse a huge oil –pipeline fire that decimated his community in Nigeria

Salvation swims towards us Ash falls like snow As crumbling ice shelves crack and yield On we the damned to the slick and slide of fractured reefs Who stand knee-deep that shrink, and sink like melting stones, in sombre grief. The polar bear swims on, In the yellow glare of oil-fed flares, Alone The vultures fly in widening gyres Salvation swims towards us Or pick the meat from splintered bones With weary strokes, and fading strength Of shattered hope and shattered homes In widening seas that grant no rest. Black gold It meets a tiny swirl in plastic blue: They call it A pail of water – almost through Those soft skinned men in hard machines It glistens in that last sweet flow Who, like bloated leeches, drain earth’s veins Splashed to cool a ravaged brow Of every dark and viscous drop. And though each drop exhorts the price Salvation drowns, the fires burn, Of countless lives (plant, man and beast) And still the twisted drills will turn... It feeds but metal moving parts Until we lift our smoke-screened eyes Of tills and tanks and armoured cars Raise our dripping, oil-flecked snouts Of whining jet planes dropping death Crack our hard-shelled shrivelled hearts And let life’s streams flow free again And chokes all living breath from hand to paw; from leaf to skin. But in some distant ice blue seas For if we don’t, each dying bear Some cobalt canted crisp white seas That sinks beneath our blank-faced fear Our salvation swims: with splayed webbed paws Will pull us down through sunless depths It carves an arc through ice clipped waves Until we join in breathless death Its silent ripples spreading wide Until our bones slide with theirs Refracted through the crystal tides In the suck and sigh of empty tides A mass of fur and muscled claw Beneath the ice chilled air. So powerful, huge, yet dwarfed again By vast unbroken heaving plains −

Volume 42 / 2012 71 READERS' FORUM

women being barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen and having no career and opinion – this is the 21st century! This is still the battle us women deal with in society today. The notion of not being good enough for a particular position such as “CEO” or “Minister”, says who? President Ellen Sirleaf- Johnson of Liberia and President Joyce Banda of Malawi are examples that inspire us. We can be anything we dream of being. The young pregnant teenage girl who is forced to drop out of school while the father continues without any distraction in his schooling career; the women who are abused and silenced: – we fight for you! Women, the battle continues, we fight it with intelligence, education, diligence, competence and ambition; and we rise above it all and display our strength. We have indeed worked hard in earning our stripes. It’s not a battle of the sexes, but a battle of equality. It is a battle against oppression, Woman of the inequality, violence and abuse. Today we have the right to vote, to be free, to equal employment and educational opportunities, the right to choice and 21st Century the right to social and political equality. In essence, women’s rights are human rights. By Nozibele Qutu Never in the course of history has it been a better time to be a woman. I am proud. As a young Xhosa woman BAFAZI, Vroue, Women of the to break borders and boundaries in of the South African democracy I am continent and nation, we salute education, business and leadership educated, empowered, opinionated Aand honour you! roles. We have managed to become and the world is my oyster. I The strength, determination, engineers, accountants, scientists, embrace each and every moment resilience and persistence of women entrepreneurs, politicians, doctors and opportunity! We were seen as has come to the surface over the and even presidents. Who would powerless. The tables have turned past few years. The steady progress have thought this possible? Yes, it and we are powerhouses loaded with achieved is truly remarkable and the has become a reality. We are able to potential. journey continues. VIVA ABAFAZI, perform with diligence and excellence I know the women of the past, VIVA women! In the new democracy, in senior positions in the corporate the women of the 21st generation women from all walks of life have been world of boardrooms and still come and those in the future will agree empowered, uplifted, and motivated home and take on the role of nurturing when Beyonce asks, “Who run the from different cultural, religious and mothers who lead households, bearing world? GIRLS!” Fight for your rights, political beliefs. The place of women in mind we do this in high heels not embrace your femininity, refuse to be in the post-apartheid society is both forgetting the lip gloss and blush. looked down upon, speak up, and influential and important as women Yes, while we celebrate and be confident. Live with that tenacious continue to display acts of bravery and acknowledge the revolution of women spirit in you. Here is to the woman unity. being free, unfortunately there are of the past, present and future. Let’s After decades of demonstrations those who are stuck in the rigid, might change the world with what we have! and protests, women have managed I mention, “ICE AGE” old way of Amandla Awethu! 

The Editor welcomes unsolicited submissions to the Readers’ Forum and encourages those who would like to discuss or debate contentious issues to use this space. Please keep word count to no more than 800 words and note that some pieces might be edited for length. Send your contribution to: [email protected].

72 THE THINKER