Date: 09/08/2004
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: S Moloto: Women's Day celebration
SPEECH BY MR SELLO MOLOTO, PREMIER OF LIMPOPO PROVINCE DURING THE CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S DAY, Phagameng Stadium, Modimolle, 9 August 2004
Programme director,
Distinguished guests,
Mothers and daughters of Limpopo
The 9 of August continue to occupy a special place in our hearts and social consciousness. It has become a symbol of resistance and a reminder that women still have a role to play in our unfolding democratic dispensation.
It was on this day, 48 years ago, that women in our country changed the course of history. Through their actions, they accelerated the collapse of the system of Apartheid. In their numbers, they marched to the Union Buildings to demand equal political, social and economic rights for all the citizens of this country, oppressors included.
Under the able leadership of Lillian Ngoyi and other leaders of her generation, women declared to the whole world that they were prepared to sacrifice their lives for the sake of freedom of their fellow country people.
It is as a result of those struggles that we are here today, free of social exploitation and political oppression in the land of our birth.
Nevertheless, we must not rest on our laurels. We should instead be inspired by the sacrifice that characterised the 1956-generation of women. We must work much harder to change our lives for the better.
Over the past ten years of freedom, the democratic government has put in place legislations, policies and systems that affirmed women as equal citizens in their country. For the fist time women are guaranteed freedom from discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion and any other social prejudice.
Opportunities for women to advance in all spheres of human endeavour, be it government, business, education, and in science and technology, have indeed open up.
Despite all these milestone achievements, the reality of the situation is that the majority of women are not able to access these opportunities presented by our democracy. This stems from the perception that the experience, information, knowledge and expertise remain in the hands of few to the exclusion of the majority, especially those in the far-flung rural villages and farmlands.
The perception amongst these people is that what those in leadership would require from them is only their votes during critical time. Obviously this perception may be wrong, but it is something, which cannot be ignored.
The perceptions mentioned above may also be stemming from the syndrome, which is always spoken about, that is "closing the doors for others or alternatively, pulling her down syndrome". These are the challenges we are required to confront head-on.
The provincial government is committed and shall put in place programmes that would ensure the improvement of skills and acquisition of more knowledge by women. We shall create conducive conditions for women to form rural biased cooperatives and identify the niche markets in order to harness their conditions of living.
We are duty bound and called upon by history to develop a new generation of female entrepreneurs, businesswomen, contractors and suppliers - women who can be job creators rather than job seekers.
The befitting tribute we can pay to those who laid down their lives in order for us to be free, is to dedicate this second decade of freedom to the economic empowerment of women. We need to harness the knowledge and unleash the energy that remains hidden among women, particularly in the rural areas.
Since the inception of such awards as the Shoprite-Checkers Women Achiever and Sowetan-Old Mutual Community Builder, women in our province have been very resilient and distinguished themselves in community service. They scooped awards in farming, community development projects, trade, tourism and several other pivotal areas.
It is in that context that, as we celebrate these ten years of freedom and democracy, we will today recognise women from various fields who have been the flagships of our province. They have won awards as community builders, as sports persons and leaders in their own rights as members of human race. We will be calling them soon to the fore for all of you to be witnesses as we celebrate our successful 10 years of women empowerment.
Programme director
We want to assure you here, today, that our commitment to gender equality remains unchanged. Economic development, including employment opportunities and awarding of contracts shall be within the confines of all the laws that seek to affirm women as equal role players.
We will continue to pay special attention to those issues that are closer to your hearts, that is free health care for children under six and pregnant women, social security grants, and most importantly the monthly old-age pension for our senior citizens. This, we believe, will continue to improve the living conditions of many needy households, especially those in far-flung villages and vast farmlands of our province.
As we have indicated during the budget speech for the office of the Premier, we will ensure that, through our plans and programmes, women are made to occupy the centre stage in all spheres of human endeavour.
Programme director
Limpopo provincial government prides itself of the progress it is making towards the implementation of such progressive legislations as Employment Equity Act. There is no provincial department with less than 16% of women within its employ, and we hope to improve this situation in the foreseeable future.
As of Friday, 30 July 2004, our provincial administration boasts 34% of women at junior management level, whilst 30.9% are occupy senior management posts. True to what women are known to have been doing in history by showing commitment and working long hours, their contribution is significantly felt in the provincial administration.
We are indeed making steady and measurable progress in our continued endeavour to better the living conditions of the most vulnerable - women, children, youth and senior citizens.
Mothers and daughters of Limpopo
You have been in the forefront of the struggle, and you should continue to occupy that position as we together pursue the cause of nation building, reconstruction and development of our country.
You should declare here and now, that never again shall it be that women of this country will again be treated as second-class citizens in the land of their birth.
Let all of us leave here inspired with a commitment to continue the struggle for a better life and brighter future for all our people.
Malibongwe!!!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
9 August 2004
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: S Moloto: Women's Day celebration
SPEECH BY MR SELLO MOLOTO, PREMIER OF LIMPOPO PROVINCE DURING THE CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S DAY, Phagameng Stadium, Modimolle, 9 August 2004
Programme director,
Distinguished guests,
Mothers and daughters of Limpopo
The 9 of August continue to occupy a special place in our hearts and social consciousness. It has become a symbol of resistance and a reminder that women still have a role to play in our unfolding democratic dispensation.
It was on this day, 48 years ago, that women in our country changed the course of history. Through their actions, they accelerated the collapse of the system of Apartheid. In their numbers, they marched to the Union Buildings to demand equal political, social and economic rights for all the citizens of this country, oppressors included.
Under the able leadership of Lillian Ngoyi and other leaders of her generation, women declared to the whole world that they were prepared to sacrifice their lives for the sake of freedom of their fellow country people.
It is as a result of those struggles that we are here today, free of social exploitation and political oppression in the land of our birth.
Nevertheless, we must not rest on our laurels. We should instead be inspired by the sacrifice that characterised the 1956-generation of women. We must work much harder to change our lives for the better.
Over the past ten years of freedom, the democratic government has put in place legislations, policies and systems that affirmed women as equal citizens in their country. For the fist time women are guaranteed freedom from discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion and any other social prejudice.
Opportunities for women to advance in all spheres of human endeavour, be it government, business, education, and in science and technology, have indeed open up.
Despite all these milestone achievements, the reality of the situation is that the majority of women are not able to access these opportunities presented by our democracy. This stems from the perception that the experience, information, knowledge and expertise remain in the hands of few to the exclusion of the majority, especially those in the far-flung rural villages and farmlands.
The perception amongst these people is that what those in leadership would require from them is only their votes during critical time. Obviously this perception may be wrong, but it is something, which cannot be ignored.
The perceptions mentioned above may also be stemming from the syndrome, which is always spoken about, that is "closing the doors for others or alternatively, pulling her down syndrome". These are the challenges we are required to confront head-on.
The provincial government is committed and shall put in place programmes that would ensure the improvement of skills and acquisition of more knowledge by women. We shall create conducive conditions for women to form rural biased cooperatives and identify the niche markets in order to harness their conditions of living.
We are duty bound and called upon by history to develop a new generation of female entrepreneurs, businesswomen, contractors and suppliers - women who can be job creators rather than job seekers.
The befitting tribute we can pay to those who laid down their lives in order for us to be free, is to dedicate this second decade of freedom to the economic empowerment of women. We need to harness the knowledge and unleash the energy that remains hidden among women, particularly in the rural areas.
Since the inception of such awards as the Shoprite-Checkers Women Achiever and Sowetan-Old Mutual Community Builder, women in our province have been very resilient and distinguished themselves in community service. They scooped awards in farming, community development projects, trade, tourism and several other pivotal areas.
It is in that context that, as we celebrate these ten years of freedom and democracy, we will today recognise women from various fields who have been the flagships of our province. They have won awards as community builders, as sports persons and leaders in their own rights as members of human race. We will be calling them soon to the fore for all of you to be witnesses as we celebrate our successful 10 years of women empowerment.
Programme director
We want to assure you here, today, that our commitment to gender equality remains unchanged. Economic development, including employment opportunities and awarding of contracts shall be within the confines of all the laws that seek to affirm women as equal role players.
We will continue to pay special attention to those issues that are closer to your hearts, that is free health care for children under six and pregnant women, social security grants, and most importantly the monthly old-age pension for our senior citizens. This, we believe, will continue to improve the living conditions of many needy households, especially those in far-flung villages and vast farmlands of our province.
As we have indicated during the budget speech for the office of the Premier, we will ensure that, through our plans and programmes, women are made to occupy the centre stage in all spheres of human endeavour.
Programme director
Limpopo provincial government prides itself of the progress it is making towards the implementation of such progressive legislations as Employment Equity Act. There is no provincial department with less than 16% of women within its employ, and we hope to improve this situation in the foreseeable future.
As of Friday, 30 July 2004, our provincial administration boasts 34% of women at junior management level, whilst 30.9% are occupy senior management posts. True to what women are known to have been doing in history by showing commitment and working long hours, their contribution is significantly felt in the provincial administration.
We are indeed making steady and measurable progress in our continued endeavour to better the living conditions of the most vulnerable - women, children, youth and senior citizens.
Mothers and daughters of Limpopo
You have been in the forefront of the struggle, and you should continue to occupy that position as we together pursue the cause of nation building, reconstruction and development of our country.
You should declare here and now, that never again shall it be that women of this country will again be treated as second-class citizens in the land of their birth.
Let all of us leave here inspired with a commitment to continue the struggle for a better life and brighter future for all our people.
Malibongwe!!!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
9 August 2004
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