22 october 2001
Mrs Farida Omar, the wife to Dullah Omar, the Minister of Transport, addressed the Taxi Business Woman's Award Ceremony at the Auditorium at Toyota Head Office in Sandton on 20 October 2001.
The event was held in recognition of Businesswomen who have contributed immensely to the socio-economic life of South Africa and the taxi industry. Mrs Omar said that the minibus taxi industry has been excluded for decades from the economic life of the country. She said it was a great achievement for women in this industry to be honoured for their commitment and magnificent role that they have played and continue to play in the public transport industry.
"As South Africans, whether in business, in government or in civil society, the progress we make towards the attainment of a democratic society can only have full and deeper meaning if it is accompanied by significant progress in the struggle for the emancipation of women", Omar said.
Omar said that 'we should measure the progress towards a democratic transformation by the progress we record in the struggle for gender equality. The fact that the taxi industry is male-dominated, women and men should recognize the importance of promoting the participation of women at levels of the industry'.
She also spoke about the growing voice of women in the Legislative Assembly, which continue to enrich the substance of political and constitutional debates. "One of the important conditions which gives rise to woman oppression and abuse is the economic discrimination against women.
The plight of rural illiterate women is now receiving priority attention through poverty alleviation programmes instituted by our government", Omar concluded.
Mrs Farida Omar stunned the audience when she led a revolutionary song "Igama lama khosikazi Malibongwe".
ISSUED BY
Mike Mabasa HEAD: Media Liaison and Corporate Communication
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT
TEL: 083 680 7048
FAX: 083 676 8450