Date: 09/08/2003
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: Ramatlhodi: Women's Day celebration
SPEECH BY ADVOCATE NGOAKO RAMATLHODI, PREMIER OF LIMPOPO PROVINCE, DURING THE CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S DAY, Malamulele Stadium, 9 August 2003
Programme director,
Distinguished guests,
Gentlemen and especially, mothers and daughters of Limpopo
47 years ago, on this day, women in this country changed the course of history by accelerating the collapse of the system of Apartheid. In thousands women marched to the Union Building in Pretoria 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.
They vowed to the apartheid regime never to rest until they have won the fundamental freedom and dignity of their children.
Programme director
We have got no doubt whatsoever that the freedom and democracy we enjoy today are the inevitable outcomes of the unwavering commitment to the liberation struggle by the 1956 generation of women.
As we gather here today, 9 August continues to occupy a special place in our hearts and social consciousness. It has become a symbol of resistance we are required to transform into something meaningful and qualitative in honour of those heroines of our struggle.
As we traverse through the last months of the year that marks the first decade of a non-sexist, non-racial and democratic South Africa, we look back at the role played by women in the struggle for liberation with considerable pride and admiration.
The past nine years of freedom saw the democratic government putting in place systems and legislations that affirmed women as equal citizens in the land of their birth.
The dignity of women finds a clear-cut expression through the section 9 of our constitution. In this section, as women, you are unreservedly guaranteed freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex and gender.
In quest to maintain gender equality and tolerate no form of discrimination against women, the democratic government has created national, provincial, local structures and offices.
The rapid advancement of women in all sectors of society, in government, in business, in education, in health care, and in science and technology, is another positive spin-off our democracy carries with itself.
We are also making significant inroads in addressing issues that are closer to the hearts of women. Services such as free health care for young children and pregnant women, social security grants and free food parcels, and most importantly the monthly old-age pension for our senior citizens, have improved the living conditions of many needy households, especially in rural areas and the vast farmlands of our province.
Programme director
Limpopo provincial government prides itself of the progress it is making towards the implementation of such progressive legislation such as the Employment Equity Act. There is no provincial department with less than 14% women within its employ, and we hope to improve this situation in the foreseeable future.
The administration of our province boasts 32% of women occupying junior management posts whilst 26% occupies the senior management posts. To the female Director-General, accolades are also due for the stability and maturity the provincial administration has gradually begun to enjoy.
In all of these we are making steady and measurable progress
However, the befitting tribute we can pay to those who laid down their lives in order for us to be free, is through dedicating the next decade of freedom to the economic empowerment of women. We need to harness the knowledge and energy that remain hidden among women, particularly in the rural areas.
The improvement of skills and acquisition of more knowledge, the formation of rural bias cooperative movement and the identification of niche markets will go a long way in harnessing conditions of living of women, and ultimately the rest of us.
The duty calls on us to develop a new generation of female entrepreneurs, businesswomen, contractors and suppliers - women who can be job creators rather than job seekers.
On our part as the provincial government, I 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.
Throughout our province we have already experienced shining examples of success where women have become involved in initiatives such as farming, community development projects, trade and tourism.
Let these initiatives grow, prosper and serve to inspire the rest of you in Limpopo.
Mothers and daughters of Limpopo
United in action, your voices can add value to the course of nation building, reconstruction and development of our country.
Being alive to the challenges of women emancipation, I call on you to declare here and now, that never again shall it be that women of this country will once more be treated as second-class citizens in the land of their birth.
Let all of us leave here inspired by our commitment to continue the struggle for a better life and brighter future for all our people.
Malibongwe!!!
Issued by Limpopo Provincial Government
9 August 2003
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government
Title: Ramatlhodi: Women's Day celebration
SPEECH BY ADVOCATE NGOAKO RAMATLHODI, PREMIER OF LIMPOPO PROVINCE, DURING THE CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S DAY, Malamulele Stadium, 9 August 2003
Programme director,
Distinguished guests,
Gentlemen and especially, mothers and daughters of Limpopo
47 years ago, on this day, women in this country changed the course of history by accelerating the collapse of the system of Apartheid. In thousands women marched to the Union Building in Pretoria 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.
They vowed to the apartheid regime never to rest until they have won the fundamental freedom and dignity of their children.
Programme director
We have got no doubt whatsoever that the freedom and democracy we enjoy today are the inevitable outcomes of the unwavering commitment to the liberation struggle by the 1956 generation of women.
As we gather here today, 9 August continues to occupy a special place in our hearts and social consciousness. It has become a symbol of resistance we are required to transform into something meaningful and qualitative in honour of those heroines of our struggle.
As we traverse through the last months of the year that marks the first decade of a non-sexist, non-racial and democratic South Africa, we look back at the role played by women in the struggle for liberation with considerable pride and admiration.
The past nine years of freedom saw the democratic government putting in place systems and legislations that affirmed women as equal citizens in the land of their birth.
The dignity of women finds a clear-cut expression through the section 9 of our constitution. In this section, as women, you are unreservedly guaranteed freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex and gender.
In quest to maintain gender equality and tolerate no form of discrimination against women, the democratic government has created national, provincial, local structures and offices.
The rapid advancement of women in all sectors of society, in government, in business, in education, in health care, and in science and technology, is another positive spin-off our democracy carries with itself.
We are also making significant inroads in addressing issues that are closer to the hearts of women. Services such as free health care for young children and pregnant women, social security grants and free food parcels, and most importantly the monthly old-age pension for our senior citizens, have improved the living conditions of many needy households, especially in rural areas and the vast farmlands of our province.
Programme director
Limpopo provincial government prides itself of the progress it is making towards the implementation of such progressive legislation such as the Employment Equity Act. There is no provincial department with less than 14% women within its employ, and we hope to improve this situation in the foreseeable future.
The administration of our province boasts 32% of women occupying junior management posts whilst 26% occupies the senior management posts. To the female Director-General, accolades are also due for the stability and maturity the provincial administration has gradually begun to enjoy.
In all of these we are making steady and measurable progress
However, the befitting tribute we can pay to those who laid down their lives in order for us to be free, is through dedicating the next decade of freedom to the economic empowerment of women. We need to harness the knowledge and energy that remain hidden among women, particularly in the rural areas.
The improvement of skills and acquisition of more knowledge, the formation of rural bias cooperative movement and the identification of niche markets will go a long way in harnessing conditions of living of women, and ultimately the rest of us.
The duty calls on us to develop a new generation of female entrepreneurs, businesswomen, contractors and suppliers - women who can be job creators rather than job seekers.
On our part as the provincial government, I 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.
Throughout our province we have already experienced shining examples of success where women have become involved in initiatives such as farming, community development projects, trade and tourism.
Let these initiatives grow, prosper and serve to inspire the rest of you in Limpopo.
Mothers and daughters of Limpopo
United in action, your voices can add value to the course of nation building, reconstruction and development of our country.
Being alive to the challenges of women emancipation, I call on you to declare here and now, that never again shall it be that women of this country will once more be treated as second-class citizens in the land of their birth.
Let all of us leave here inspired by our commitment to continue the struggle for a better life and brighter future for all our people.
Malibongwe!!!
Issued by Limpopo Provincial Government
9 August 2003
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