Empowering women essential to aid SA’s growth

In the spirit of celebrating 20 years of freedom, the Ekurhuleni ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) recently hosted a gala dinner for women in industry under the theme ‘Engaging women to move South Africa forward in all industries’.

It was a prestigious event held at the Premier Hotel OR Tambo, attended by individuals and companies in industry.

One of the goals of the event was to acknowledge and honour companies that have made, and are making efforts, towards women empowerment by introducing programmes within their companies to facilitate the advancement of women to management or ownership level.

CEO of LRAM Civil and Construction, Lazarus Rampele, and Rev Dr Vukile Mehana from the Sizwe IT Group addressed the importance of their specific company with this regard.

Vukile emphasised that the country needs more women in the IT sector. “Girls and women must get educated and continue to get involved in technology.”

Deputy minister of the Department of Trade and Industry, Mzwandile Masina, highlighted the key objective of the department in the empowerment of women for many years with a specific focus on developing women entrepreneurially for full participation in South Africa’s mainstream economy.

In his capacity, Gauteng Premier David Makhura spoke about the revitalisation of township economy.

In his recent State of the Province address, Makhura outlined the need for radical socio-economic transformation, including the improvement of the economic condition of women, blacks and the youth through engagement of the private sector and support of grassroots entrepreneurs.

“It requires men and women with the capacity to think ahead and the capacity to inspire actions that can turn dreams into a reality. It needs men and women driven by a sound vision as outlined in the Freedom Charter and the National Development Plan.”

At the event, the ANCWL in Ekurhuleni acknowledged and recognised Margarett Gazo for the immense contribution in the struggle for emancipation for women.

Gazo played an instrumental role in orchestrating and spearheading what was to be known as one of the largest demonstrations in South Africa’s history, the 1956 Women’s March against the reviled system of pass laws and their extension to women.

A certificate was presented to the family of Gazo who passed away in 1974.

Speaking at the event, Ekurhuleni MMC for Health and Social Development, Khosi Twala, said she is proud and humbled to be associated with such a role player and anchor in our economy.

“Long lives the spirit of Margarett Gazo.” – @IschkeBoksburg