SA is a country that strives to uplift and empower women, creating a gender-inclusive country. Over the years women have risen above all odds, making strides in positions mainly occupied by men.
We have seen women gradually occupying more senior positions in the workplace, making inroads in male-dominated spaces. However, much is still to be done. We still need to tackle women equality by creating a gender-equal society.
SA has been progressive in promoting women empowerment. Some of the amazing women thrived in the male-dominated world, breaking invisible ceilings created by patriarchy. These women managed to achieve their firsts.
On April 7 1871, Mme Charlotte Mannya Maxeke was born. She was a political activist and a religious leader. She became the first black SA woman to obtain a degree from the Wilberforce University in the US.
A black woman from a small town in SA took an opportunity to study abroad after touring with the African Jubilee Choir in Europe and the US. She was the founder of the Bantu Women’s League, which became the ANC Women’s League.
In honour of her contribution, the SA government declared 2021 to be the year of Charlotte Maxeke. Johannesburg General Hospital was renamed Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic hospital and some streets in the country were renamed after her. Her legacy will live forever.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka became the first woman to hold the position of deputy president in June 2005, making her the highest-ranking woman in the history of SA. In 2013 she was appointed the director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women.
Under her leadership, HeForShe campaign was launched. The campaign is a global effort to change discriminatory behaviours, through building awareness of the importance of gender equality and women empowerment.
The first black woman to obtain a PhD in mathematics education is Mamokgethi Phakeng, vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town. It is under her leadership that UCT launched an online high school, making it the first university on the African continent to do so. She is also the founder of nonprofit organisation Adopt-A-Learner, which provides deserving lower- income pupils with financial support.
Mandisa Mfeka is the first black female fighter pilot in SA. A KwaZulu-Natal born lass, she joined the SA Air Force in 2008 and earned her wings in 2011.
She is best known for flying one of the 5 SA Air Force Hawk Mk 120 aircraft during the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018.
Last but not least, Tatjana Schoenmaker is SA’s golden girl. She is one of the athletes who represented the country in the Olympic Games under way in Tokyo, Japan.
The 24-year-old Schoenmaker becomes the first SA swimmer to win a gold medal in 25 years in the 200m breaststroke competition, setting the first world record for SA in 22 years and bagging the first gold medal for Team South Africa. The country is proud of her for representing us with so much excellence.
Women’s Day reminds us how awesome and incredible women are. Women’s Day is a way to celebrate women achievements in all aspects of their lives, be it political, economic, social or cultural. We need to identify, celebrate and increase the visibility of women’s achievements. It is also necessary to celebrate women for their strength, power and resilience.
While having these celebrations, we need to ensure that the scourge of gender-based violence, which women are mostly the victims of, is eradicated. We need to encourage women to report perpetrators of gender-based violence, no matter how economically, politically or socially powerful they are. Unfortunately, in 2019 along came the Covid-19 pandemic, which could have long-lasting negative effects on gender equality leading to a slow recovery.
A high percentage of women compared to men were exposed to Covid-19 and a high number of women faced job losses. Measures should be put in place for economic growth, but importantly for gender equality, after Covid-19 and beyond. Significantly, let us reflect and continue to act on the progress made to promote women’s equality.
• Moloi is a Sowetan reader
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.