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Date
: 01/08/2003
Source: Free State Provincial Government
Title: Direko: Launch of Women's Month in the Free State
ADDRESS BY THE FREE STATE PREMIER, WI DIREKO, AT THE LAUNCH OF
WOMEN'S MONTH, Winburg, 1 August 2003
Programme Director
The Executive Mayor of Lejweputswa, Mamiki Qabathe
Members of the Parliament and Legislature present
All Councillors present here
The Representative from Morkels
Women of the Free State
Good Morning Everybody
Our gathering today is indeed embedded in profound and deep sited
emotions and memories of the suffering and sacrifices of black
women in this country in general and in the Free State in
particular. During the course of August and more especially on the
9th of this month our nation will celebrate and commemorate the
contribution of women in the struggle for change in our country.
This is a period during which we celebrate the progress made
towards the improvement of the quality of life of all women. It is
therefore imperative that as we launch Women's Month this year we
should also reaffirm our commitment to protecting women's
rights.
It was in 1913 when women from this very area marched in protest
against oppressive laws of the apartheid regime. Under the
leadership of, amongst others, Ruth Pululu, women in Winburg were
courageous and determined to have their voice heard. Resulting from
this action, women in the Free State added their voice and many of
them were imprisoned. This campaign withstood the brutal and evil
policies of apartheid and culminated in the anti-pass campaign in
the Transvaal and later the march by women from across the country
to the Union Buildings. This indicates that in deed Winburg is the
cradle of the struggle by women for liberation and human rights in
this country. It is appropriate therefore that the women's monument
was erected here in 1999. This monument symbolises the strength,
sacrifice and dedication displayed by women during the days of the
liberation struggle. It is also a tribute to those women who
through their own intuition acted against the apartheid
system.
Women in our province have had to suffer a great deal as a result
of the apartheid laws. In 1971 in Excelsior 14 African women were
charged along with 5 white men for breaking the infamous Immorality
Act though they were forced into this act. Despite being the
victims of abuse at the hands of these white men, these women, 12
of whom had children fathered by this very white men, were kept in
the dark cells here in Winburg whilst the perpetrators of this evil
deed were enjoying brandy and coke in the comfort of their homes
and with their families.
It is incidents like these that have to encourage us as women to
stand up and fight for our rights. We have to be firm and
determined in order to overcome the occurrence of sexual abuse,
domestic violence and abuse in general against women.
As we celebrate this month dedicated to the women of our country,
we should also acknowledge that much still has to be done in order
to achieve the true emancipation of women from the adversities they
have endured because of their gender, race and social status. We
have to ponder the socio-economic needs of women in our country,
more especially those women in rural areas.
It is to those women and their efforts in the struggle against
injustice and discrimination that we turn our thoughts this month.
Their efforts and actions during that time still serve as a beacon
of inspiration to us as we pursue an ideal society that is just,
humane and caring. It is to those women and others before them that
we owe a profound gratitude.
The advent of political freedom in South Africa was an
accomplishment of years of sacrifice and struggle. We soon realised
that political freedom was one of the epic chapters in modern
history. We all realised that the struggle for social and economic
freedom would be most challenging. We became aware how class, race
and gender placed women at the bottom end of the development
hierarchy.
Colonialism and apartheid policies exhibit most bitter social
outcomes and destitution amid plenty for the majority of South
Africans, particularly women. Poverty and accompanying social
dislocation had profound and traumatic effects on the lives of the
disenfranchised. The challenge has been to reverse the legacy of a
state machinery that has been set to provide quality services for
radically defined privileged minority, while systematically
excluding the majority of south Africans from employment,
education, health and other basic resources and services.
It is now almost 10 years since the demise of apartheid. 10 years
during which our present government has set about reversing the
imbalances of the past by putting in place policies and programmes
aimed at ensuring development for the benefit of all South
Africans. It is encouraging to note that we have made significant
progress in our endeavours to bring about social change in our
country. Yet more still has to be done with specific reference to
women and child abuse.
We have seen drastic measures being taken by government to curb the
occurrence of violence against women, and this should be commended.
We, however, still need to inculcate amongst our male counterparts
a sense of respect and acknowledgement for women in our
society.
As the women of the world we have broken the proverbial 'glass
ceiling'. However, there is still a long way to go. We cannot
relent. The boardrooms in this country are showing the signs of
acknowledging the power in women. Currently, there is a 33%
representation of women legislatures in this country, I know and
everybody knows that we can do better.
In the coming months our province will honour women who have made
an impact in the agricultural sector. The Free State Female Farmer
of the Year Awards recognises the meaningful contribution made by
women in this sector that has for a long time been the domain for
men. It is important for us as a society to identify women who
distinguish themselves in areas of social development. Last year
one of the nominees from the Free State managed to attain runner-up
position in the National Female Farmer of the Year Awards, I am
confident that this year we will do better.
As we engage in activities to celebrate Women's Month, let us be
cognisant of the plight of women across Africa, especially in war
torn countries like the DRC, Liberia, Sudan and others. It is these
women and their children who are pawns caught in the middle of
conflicts precipitated by power struggles.
At this point let us join the millions of other South Africans in
congratulating Mrs Connie Mbowane, who was awarded the Women of the
Year Award on Thursday. It is women like Mrs Mobowane that should
set an example to others for them to contribute meaningfully to the
development of our society.
I wish to conclude with profound words of Chief Luthuli when he
said "When the women begin to take an active part in the struggle,
no power on earth can stop us from achieving freedom in our
lifetime.
Malibongwe !!!
Issued by Free State Provincial Government
1 August 2003
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