Date: 09/08/2004
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: S Ndebele: Women's Day Rally
ADDRESS BY PREMIER S'BU NDEBELE AT THE WOMEN'S DAY, RALLY - KING BHEKI ZULU HALL, University of Zululand, 9 August 2004
Programme Director
MEC for Education, Ina Cronje
Executive Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature
Mr B V Mthethwa, Mayor of Uthungulu
Mawethu Mosery of the Independent Electoral Commission
Dr Dumisa of the Commission for Gender Equality
Lydia Johnson representing the Parliamentary Women's Caucus
Heads of Government Departments, members of the Public Service
Members of the various women's organisations,
Non-Governmental Organisations
Students, Youth, Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Morning
Mothers, Sisters, children, friends, wives, women of the nation, I salute you.
We are here to commemorate and pay homage to our comrades who fought hard and strong for our freedom, which we enjoy today. And also here to celebrate our victories, celebrate women!
Building from the past
9 August is a day not only to celebrate the achievements of South African Women but also to come together in advancing their struggle for empowerment and the rights to full equity. It is a time for all South Africans to salute the heroines, who fought so bravely 48 years ago against the oppressive regime when, for the first time in our history thousands of women from all over the country made their way to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the extension of government's regulations to African women concerning passes.
The 20 000 strong delegation, to date one of the largest mass gatherings of women; led by stalwarts Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Sophia Williams, Rahima Moosa and many others proceeded to hand deliver a document to the Prime Minster of the time, JG Strijdom who later cancelled their appointment.
Outraged at the manner they were being treated, they expressed their anger in a song: "Strijdom, you have touched the women, you have struck a rock, you have dislodged a bolder, you will die!" Wathint' abafazi, wathinth' imbokodo!
Although, the anti-pass campaign lasted seven years, with thousands being forced to carry them, it is now a thing of the past.
Still, every year on 9th August, in memory of the 1965 anti-pass demonstration, the memories of the women's resistance remains deeply entrenched in the minds of all South Africans both male and female.
After the first democratic election, the people of this rainbow nation, afforded women an unequivocal mandate to transform our country into a non-sexist and non-racial South Africa, to eradicate the apartheid legacy and put the country on a path to sustainable development.
Getting Rid of Negativity
Were it not for the Anti-Apartheid struggles, we would have not been here today. While we must consolidate the present and prepare ourselves mentally and physically to capture our lives. Assess the distance that we have travelled on the road to equality, and remember was it not for each one of us playing a hand we would not have not conquered.
Let negativity not prevail but rather take advantage of your freedom. You are the powerhouse of this country and you can control your own destiny. So leave negativity behind and seize the opportunities that come your way. There can be no real advancement if we don't surrender the negativity. Take control of your lives my sisters, my brothers, my children, and celebrate your achievements, celebrate your life.
KwaZulu-Natal, a new equality
Since the birth of democracy in 1994, the post-apartheid government has prioritised women's empowerment. A range of laws, programmes and projects are being implemented to improve the lives of women.
As we consolidate our political freedom and build the economy, we continue to work to lift the yoke of women's oppression and ensure that women's emancipation is not left behind. Together, government and communities alike strive to ensure that women are able to participate fully in building a South Africa, which is prosperous, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist.
South Africa's approach to achieving gender equality is guided by its National Policy Framework for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality. The policy advocates the full participation of women in decision -making so that their needs move from the margins to the centre of development planning and resource allocation.
With KwaZulu-Natal having a 53% majority of women, it is this government's goal to ensure that the March 2005 deadline as stated in the Employment Equity Act 5 of 1998, the workplace would be equitable and free from gender. Instead of looking at the Act as an imposition, we should look at it as an opportunity to all look from the same side of the coin and work together in achieving and equitable workforce.
We must be sensitised to gender as much as we are sensitive to race. This mindset has to change.
Women Economics
Government is backing all outreach programmes in assisting the previously disadvantaged and vulnerable constituency in alleviating poverty and hunger. Once women are empowered in an economical sense that is when we all will have true equality.
Come together as women in KwaZulu-Natal and go to your constituencies to mobilise your freedom and advance your economic empowerment.
Especially in the area of black economic empowerment, we have to closely look at the extent to which black people, including women and people with disabilities, play a central role in our economy.
There is no question that we need Black Economic Empowerment because this is one of the critical foundations of our democracy and through the distribution of economic power and assets we are better able to create a more representative society.
Through BEE our country is bale to unleash the potential of all our people, also broadening and deepening leadership in the economic sphere and creating the much-needed entrepreneurial class that reflects the totality of the South African People.
This can help close the gaps in our divided society and move away from the polarised nation of the past, where the economic leadership of this country is mainly in the hands of whites with negligible participation by blacks.
Delivery
This government will make every effort to ensure that women are prioritised as we deliver services, fight poverty, build infrastructure and transform government and the economy.
We promise to make women's rights a living reality. Women's rights are human rights. You will not be treated differently. We will implement strategies to "mainstream" women's rights and make it part and parcel for our wider delivery plan.
Women stand to gain as government implements plans to grown the economy and create jobs. By strengthening women's economic capacity and enabling women to become key players in the economy, we are also promoting growth and development. Women now have better access to jobs, skills training and government contracts. For example the Zibambele project in the Department of Transport.
We will look at various programmes to improve the lives of women. For example, education programmes and bursaries to ensure that young women have the opportunity to rise to greater heights within the economy, especially in the fields of Maths, science and technology; supporting women-owned businesses in the manufacturing sector through target training and support interventions.
Poverty Alleviation
Women are often the main beneficiaries of social security grants such as old age grants, disability grants, care dependency grants, foster care grants and child support grants. Government supports a number of community-based care projects and food gardens. Improved access to government services such as health care, education, housing and transport also helps minimise the effects of poverty.
When I visited China recently with Agriculture Minister Gabriel Ndabandaba, we learnt that women were among the driving forces behind this country being and economic powerhouse.
There were three critical factors that contributed to its vast improvement and progress:
*The country and its government have a clear vision and policies which are aimed at catapulting more than one billion people from underdevelopment and isolation to a leading economy in the world.
*The country and its government harness science and technology as critical elements in the realisation of its development.
*The country and its government bring value to its people, by investing large capital in human resources.
There is no dignity when a person is starving. Our visit and future developments for the province will help control this problem so that all constituents of this province move away from abject poverty to subsistence and to produce for the market.
Recognition
Too often, women's contribution to society is not given due recognition. There are many unsung heroines who have dedicated their lives to social progress. To honour women in KwaZulu-Natal who are making a contribution to the development of our democracy, socially and politically, we are considering the Women's Awards for Outstanding Women Achievers. These awards will be announced every year on 9 August National Women's Day.
To give full impetus to how serious we are about advancing the interest of women, we will appoint a Director in the Office of the Status of Women, the only one in the country.
Conclusion
Women should and must be treated with honour and dignity in both their family and work arenas. An excerpt from the Quran says:" The most perfect man of religion is one who excels in character. The best among you is he who gives the best treatment on his womenfolk.
We honour the endless hours of unpaid work done by women in the home, the fields, in caring for our children. They need the recognition of their communities, culture, in education and in government. Let us all work hand in hand to develop and sustain an equitable and brighter future for all citizens of this beautiful nation.
Thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
9 August 2004
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: S Ndebele: Women's Day Rally
ADDRESS BY PREMIER S'BU NDEBELE AT THE WOMEN'S DAY, RALLY - KING BHEKI ZULU HALL, University of Zululand, 9 August 2004
Programme Director
MEC for Education, Ina Cronje
Executive Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature
Mr B V Mthethwa, Mayor of Uthungulu
Mawethu Mosery of the Independent Electoral Commission
Dr Dumisa of the Commission for Gender Equality
Lydia Johnson representing the Parliamentary Women's Caucus
Heads of Government Departments, members of the Public Service
Members of the various women's organisations,
Non-Governmental Organisations
Students, Youth, Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Morning
Mothers, Sisters, children, friends, wives, women of the nation, I salute you.
We are here to commemorate and pay homage to our comrades who fought hard and strong for our freedom, which we enjoy today. And also here to celebrate our victories, celebrate women!
Building from the past
9 August is a day not only to celebrate the achievements of South African Women but also to come together in advancing their struggle for empowerment and the rights to full equity. It is a time for all South Africans to salute the heroines, who fought so bravely 48 years ago against the oppressive regime when, for the first time in our history thousands of women from all over the country made their way to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the extension of government's regulations to African women concerning passes.
The 20 000 strong delegation, to date one of the largest mass gatherings of women; led by stalwarts Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Sophia Williams, Rahima Moosa and many others proceeded to hand deliver a document to the Prime Minster of the time, JG Strijdom who later cancelled their appointment.
Outraged at the manner they were being treated, they expressed their anger in a song: "Strijdom, you have touched the women, you have struck a rock, you have dislodged a bolder, you will die!" Wathint' abafazi, wathinth' imbokodo!
Although, the anti-pass campaign lasted seven years, with thousands being forced to carry them, it is now a thing of the past.
Still, every year on 9th August, in memory of the 1965 anti-pass demonstration, the memories of the women's resistance remains deeply entrenched in the minds of all South Africans both male and female.
After the first democratic election, the people of this rainbow nation, afforded women an unequivocal mandate to transform our country into a non-sexist and non-racial South Africa, to eradicate the apartheid legacy and put the country on a path to sustainable development.
Getting Rid of Negativity
Were it not for the Anti-Apartheid struggles, we would have not been here today. While we must consolidate the present and prepare ourselves mentally and physically to capture our lives. Assess the distance that we have travelled on the road to equality, and remember was it not for each one of us playing a hand we would not have not conquered.
Let negativity not prevail but rather take advantage of your freedom. You are the powerhouse of this country and you can control your own destiny. So leave negativity behind and seize the opportunities that come your way. There can be no real advancement if we don't surrender the negativity. Take control of your lives my sisters, my brothers, my children, and celebrate your achievements, celebrate your life.
KwaZulu-Natal, a new equality
Since the birth of democracy in 1994, the post-apartheid government has prioritised women's empowerment. A range of laws, programmes and projects are being implemented to improve the lives of women.
As we consolidate our political freedom and build the economy, we continue to work to lift the yoke of women's oppression and ensure that women's emancipation is not left behind. Together, government and communities alike strive to ensure that women are able to participate fully in building a South Africa, which is prosperous, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist.
South Africa's approach to achieving gender equality is guided by its National Policy Framework for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality. The policy advocates the full participation of women in decision -making so that their needs move from the margins to the centre of development planning and resource allocation.
With KwaZulu-Natal having a 53% majority of women, it is this government's goal to ensure that the March 2005 deadline as stated in the Employment Equity Act 5 of 1998, the workplace would be equitable and free from gender. Instead of looking at the Act as an imposition, we should look at it as an opportunity to all look from the same side of the coin and work together in achieving and equitable workforce.
We must be sensitised to gender as much as we are sensitive to race. This mindset has to change.
Women Economics
Government is backing all outreach programmes in assisting the previously disadvantaged and vulnerable constituency in alleviating poverty and hunger. Once women are empowered in an economical sense that is when we all will have true equality.
Come together as women in KwaZulu-Natal and go to your constituencies to mobilise your freedom and advance your economic empowerment.
Especially in the area of black economic empowerment, we have to closely look at the extent to which black people, including women and people with disabilities, play a central role in our economy.
There is no question that we need Black Economic Empowerment because this is one of the critical foundations of our democracy and through the distribution of economic power and assets we are better able to create a more representative society.
Through BEE our country is bale to unleash the potential of all our people, also broadening and deepening leadership in the economic sphere and creating the much-needed entrepreneurial class that reflects the totality of the South African People.
This can help close the gaps in our divided society and move away from the polarised nation of the past, where the economic leadership of this country is mainly in the hands of whites with negligible participation by blacks.
Delivery
This government will make every effort to ensure that women are prioritised as we deliver services, fight poverty, build infrastructure and transform government and the economy.
We promise to make women's rights a living reality. Women's rights are human rights. You will not be treated differently. We will implement strategies to "mainstream" women's rights and make it part and parcel for our wider delivery plan.
Women stand to gain as government implements plans to grown the economy and create jobs. By strengthening women's economic capacity and enabling women to become key players in the economy, we are also promoting growth and development. Women now have better access to jobs, skills training and government contracts. For example the Zibambele project in the Department of Transport.
We will look at various programmes to improve the lives of women. For example, education programmes and bursaries to ensure that young women have the opportunity to rise to greater heights within the economy, especially in the fields of Maths, science and technology; supporting women-owned businesses in the manufacturing sector through target training and support interventions.
Poverty Alleviation
Women are often the main beneficiaries of social security grants such as old age grants, disability grants, care dependency grants, foster care grants and child support grants. Government supports a number of community-based care projects and food gardens. Improved access to government services such as health care, education, housing and transport also helps minimise the effects of poverty.
When I visited China recently with Agriculture Minister Gabriel Ndabandaba, we learnt that women were among the driving forces behind this country being and economic powerhouse.
There were three critical factors that contributed to its vast improvement and progress:
*The country and its government have a clear vision and policies which are aimed at catapulting more than one billion people from underdevelopment and isolation to a leading economy in the world.
*The country and its government harness science and technology as critical elements in the realisation of its development.
*The country and its government bring value to its people, by investing large capital in human resources.
There is no dignity when a person is starving. Our visit and future developments for the province will help control this problem so that all constituents of this province move away from abject poverty to subsistence and to produce for the market.
Recognition
Too often, women's contribution to society is not given due recognition. There are many unsung heroines who have dedicated their lives to social progress. To honour women in KwaZulu-Natal who are making a contribution to the development of our democracy, socially and politically, we are considering the Women's Awards for Outstanding Women Achievers. These awards will be announced every year on 9 August National Women's Day.
To give full impetus to how serious we are about advancing the interest of women, we will appoint a Director in the Office of the Status of Women, the only one in the country.
Conclusion
Women should and must be treated with honour and dignity in both their family and work arenas. An excerpt from the Quran says:" The most perfect man of religion is one who excels in character. The best among you is he who gives the best treatment on his womenfolk.
We honour the endless hours of unpaid work done by women in the home, the fields, in caring for our children. They need the recognition of their communities, culture, in education and in government. Let us all work hand in hand to develop and sustain an equitable and brighter future for all citizens of this beautiful nation.
Thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
9 August 2004
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
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