The Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality, Me Thembi Nkadimeng,
MECs present Me Makhurupetja, Me Joyce Mashamba, Me Mapula Mokaba, Me Thembi
Nwedamutsu, Me Nandi Ndalane
First Lady of the province – Me Maggie Mathabatha
Deputy President – BMF – Me Koko Khumalo
Chairperson BMF Limpopo – Mr Sam Maloka
MD- BMF Limpopo – Mr Themba Dlamini
BMF Board Members present,
MD – Limpopo Economic Development Agency – Mr Lesley Masia
Provincial Secretary: ANC – Cde Nocks Seabi
Distinguished guests

I am very honoured to address this esteemed gathering which has converged to pay homage to izithwalandwe who have made strides and showed courage in pioneering economic emancipation and broad black economic empowerment movement in Southern Africa and beyond.

We assemble under the stewardship of the BMF as a trailblazer that has remained true to its agenda of socio-economic transformation in our country since its inception in 1976, which has revolutionised employment equity landscape in corporate South Africa.

Over the years, this organisation became a home to many black professionals, and to this end has nurtured pool of high caliber of black leadership occupying positions of authority across the spectrum of our society, ensuring that representativity - both gender and race - in the boardrooms of our country continues to be a non-negotiable agenda item!

On the brief I was given, “remembering the strides and courage of women who led Economic freedom and broader black economic empowerment movement in Southern Africa and beyond”; allow me to quote from the World Bank’s 2012 Gender Equality and Development Report: “… gender equality is a core development in its own right. But greater gender equality is also smart economics, enhancing productivity and improving other development outcomes, including prospects for the next generation and for the quality of societal policies and institutions. Economic development is not enough to shrink all gender disparities, but corrective policies that focus on persisting gender gaps is essential”.

This is so true and relevant in our country today as we celebrate a generation of 1954 women, whom through their selfless dedication, determination and sacrifice. 50 years later, we continue to enjoy the fruits of their resolve.

It brings to mind like minded mbogodo in Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela- Mandela whom in her book “491 Days-Prisoner number 1323/69”clearly articulated the formidable power and rock women are, which seemed to even amaze the very oppressors of the day, I quote “They honestly believed that it was impossible for a black woman to have this kind of stamina, to be this stubborn. Because they were meant to break us and they could not believe that anyone would resist them like that”.

This is the calibre of women who dared to say “total emancipation of women’s rights shall be attainable in our lifetime”. These stalwarts did not only verbalise it, but supported their words with action, to the detriment of their lives and those of their families, like Mahatma Gandhi said “be the change you want to see” they became the epitome of that sentiment, and became true change agents!

Today, most of them are no more with us; these women, to mention a few “Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, Bertha Qowa” they have laid a solid foundation to build from.

To date we witnessed our country’s deployment of powerful women on the World stage to represent South Africa, who are the off springs of the mentorship from the generation of cadres before them, one such quality leader is Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma who is the first woman AU Chair, whom in her address as AU Chair to the Women’s Parliament said I quote “empowering women as economic, political and social actors can change policy choices and make institutions more representative of a range of voices. It has been proven that countries that invest in promoting the social and economic status of women, tend to have lower poverty rates.” In essence emphasising the fact that when you empower a woman, you empower a nation!

Distinguished guests,

We are all aware that 2010-2020 has been declared as the Women’s Decade by the African Heads of State, to whom our own President is a signatory, it can therefore not be expected of these esteem leaders and their governments alone to make this declaration a reality.

It is in our hands as women, with our numbers as our biggest opportunity in all our respective environments and positions of power, to ensure that we translate this declaration into action, and the kind of action that will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come as we emulate the Women of 1954.

As women from all walks of life, we must drive this agenda, and truly be the change we want to see. It is imperative never to forget that as we get empowered politically, economically and socially, it’s not about us, but we must use our collective influence for the greater good of the advancement of the women agenda!

As one of our pride, daughter and sister, former deputy president of our country, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said in an interview with Destiny magazine, upon accepting her appointment as Head of United Nations (UN) Women,

“I’m grateful of my mentors, they taught me many important lessons of leadership but the very profound ones were Humility and Hard work, understanding that the success you achieve is not about you as an individual but the recognition of the women of SA and the potential they have to address issues that matter”.

In her various leadership capacities, she has extended the mentorship rope and saw young women ascend to positions of power like Philisiwe Buthelezi- Mthethwa who is now occupying one of the country’s powerful development agencies NEF(National Empowerment Fund).

In the spirit of celebrating 20 years of our democracy, allow me to share some of the most encouraging facts about some of the country’s amazing empowered women across the spectrum, who are a true reflection that indeed, South Africa has a good story to tell! 

Ladies and gentlemen,

These are women that we should all emulate. Our department will work tirelessly with you to promote these success stories so that our people can learn from them. Our people need to be exposed to these stories and the stories of the women in this room who are being honoured today. Your stories also need to be told. The BMF must go beyond honouring you this way today but must promote your real stories of achievements both amongst you members as well as amongst communities where you are daily making a difference. Let the recognition not end here but be what we do as we live our lives. Too often we lift up our women only during women’s month and the rest of the year we are subjected to horror stories of abuse. We must change that.

The gender desk of BMF must be visible all year long. Why must events of this nature be confined to August when you can plan them to happen all year long? Why should programmes that recognise the value of our women be confined to women’s month when the wonderful works happen all year long?

In closure, tonight as we continue to enjoy this auspicious occasion, I want to leave you with an assignment:

As we celebrate half a century of the “Women’s Charter” which laid a solid bed rock for the emancipation of women; and celebrate many strides achieved over the years in this regard, can we take a moment to introspect, reflect and ponder on this profound question?

What is going to be your contribution as an empowered change agent, in influencing the next generation of women and thus leaving a lasting legacy?

It is in your hands to move South Africa forward!

Thank you.