Time for women to cease to be proxies and be afforded the chance to lead

The effort made by the new generation of female leaders, the likes of ANC deputy presidential hopeful Mmamoloko Kubayi, who is taking the bull by the horns, leading from the front, says the writer.

The effort made by the new generation of female leaders, the likes of ANC deputy presidential hopeful Mmamoloko Kubayi, who is taking the bull by the horns, leading from the front, says the writer.

Published Nov 30, 2022

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Stan Itshegetseng

Cape Town - South Africa’s democracy has grown and gone through all the dynamics of a maturing democracy.

The country has been able to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of governance, economic policies, business, health care and many other sectors.

The country continues to claim its place in the sun since that watershed moment in 1994. However, as in many democracies the world over, South Africa has not been spared the challenges of promoting gender equality in the highest echelons of government.

In response to the events that led to the late Struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s downfall, feminists like Sisonke Msimang, an internationally acclaimed author and activist who has written widely about Madikizela-Mandela, argued the former ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) president wasn’t granted the recognition she deserved, simply because of her gender.

South African women are making efforts to rewrite this part of our history in a way that is reflective, inclusive, and honest about the contributions made by women in our country.

Breaking the barrier and stereotype that men should lead, and supported by the leadership thereof, is the effort made by the new generation of female leaders, the likes of ANC deputy presidential hopeful Mmamoloko Kubayi, who is taking the bull by the horns, leading from the front. Her remarkable leadership qualities have seen her rise through the ranks to earn her stripes as one of the female leaders to watch.

Kubayi, 44, is the current minister of Human Settlements and a member of Parliament. She is the co-chairperson of the Economic Sectors, Employment and Infrastructure Development cluster, a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and the current chairperson of the Economic Transformation sub-committee.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Johannesburg, a post-graduate Diploma in Project Management from Damelin College, a Master’s Degree in Public and Development Management from Wits University, and completed a programme for Leadership Development at Harvard University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in state-owned enterprises and corporate governance at the University of Johannesburg.

Then there’s Ruth First, an anti-apartheid activist who was killed by a parcel bomb sent and addressed to her by the apartheid police while she was in exile in the 1980s.

Wangari Maathai, a renowned Kenyan social, environmental and political activist who, in 2004, became the first African woman to win the Nobel Prize for her leadership of the Green Belt Movement.

These women made incredible contributions to their respective countries, many without any of the recognition that would later be cemented in our history.

But a new generation of young radical politicians is claiming the space and changing the patriarchal and chauvinist narrative that continues to dominate various sectors in society, including the political arena.

Let us not forget Madikizela-Mandela’s dismissal by her male colleagues within the ANC. In 1995, Madikizela-Mandela was dismissed from her role as a member of Parliament.

Our beloved movement should guard against this heinous behaviour, often displayed by male counterparts.

Young and vibrant women like Kubayi are an indication that the status quo can indeed change.

Kubayi’s contestation in the ANC’s top six is her act of taking it upon herself to lead the revolution from the front line – just as Madikizela-Mandela did. What a great time to be alive and experience such a phenomenal rewriting of history!

This is a step in the right direction in an effort to challenge this desire to simplify a very complicated time in our history, especially when it comes to how women activists were and continue to be viewed.

Itshegetseng is an ANC member in Ward 27 (Vuyani Mabaxa Branch) Zone 10, Greater Joburg Region and writes in his personal capacity.

Cape Times

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.

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