Interviews of short-listed candidates for vacancies in the Commission for Gender Equality

Meeting report

The Chairperson stated that candidates should inform the Committee about their skills, capabilities and their understanding of the mandate of the Commission for Gender Equality and its relationship to other institutions.

The five candidates included Ms Nondumiso Maphazi, Ms Primrose Sobahle, Mr Khaya Nkiyanyika, Ms Nomasonto Mazibuko, and Prof Sadhasivan Perumal.

They were all asked the following questions:

● The candidates were asked to introduce themselves and explain what motivated them.
●How would they contribute to advancing the mandate of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)?
● hat powers and functions were entrusted to the CGE in order to achieve its mandate?
●What was their understanding of the independence of the CGE as stated in the Constitution?
● How would they involve young men, and the youth in general, to become the drivers of the programme of gender equality, and how much impact did they have across all provinces regarding gender equality?
●What was their understanding of the challengers that the CGE faced, namely governance, leadership, finance and operational issues, and what was their plan to eliminate these challengers?
●What was their view on the issue that the mandate of the CGE overlapped with other institutions that supported democracy such as the South African Human Rights Commission, and to some extent the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities? Was the CGE still relevant or should it merge with the mentioned democratic institutions?  
● How did they envision the relationship between the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities and the Commission for Gender Equality to be, in light of the perception that there was a duplication of duties and problems between the two institutions? 
●Who were the key stakeholders that the CGE should work with to fully and effectively achieve its mandate?  
● The candidates were asked if they had criminal records.
● Was there anything in the candidate’s past experience or history that would prevent her from taking up the position as commissioner?
● If she were successful, would she prefer to be a full-time or part-time commissioner?

Refer to audio for all responses.

Closing remarks
The Chairperson stated that in terms of the rules, the Committee had to adopt a report within three days to match the rule of the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports (ATC) before the National Assembly could adopt the report. The Committee should conclude and adopt its report so that it could go to the ATC. The Committee would discuss and table a score for each candidate interviewed. Once that process was completed a report would be written and the Committee would then adopt its report, which would be submitted to the ATC.

The meeting was adjourned.