Filling of Commissioner Vacancies

AD HOC SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR COMMISSIONERS OF THE COMMISSION FOR GENDER EQUALITY
20 February 2001
FILLING OF COMMISSIONER VACANCIES

Chairperson: Ms L M Xingwana

Relevant Documents:
Letter from Ms Joyce Piliso-Seroke, Chairperson of Commission on Gender Equality, to Ms Xingwana, Chairperson of Ad Hoc Selection Committee for Commissioners of the Commission for Gender Equality, dated 16 February 2001 (see Appendix)

SUMMARY
The Committee considered its shortlist of Commissioner candidates for the eleven vacant positions and prepared for interviews to take place 26 - 28 February 2001.

MINUTES
The Committee discussed how they would conduct interviews to fill the eleven vacant Commissioner positions.

The Chairperson emphasised that men are encouraged to apply.

Shortlist of candidates for Commission on Gender Equality 2001-02-20:
1. Betrice Ngcobo
2. Priscilla Everson
3. Manana Tlake
4. Teboho Maitse
5. Gertrude Fester
6. E B Mamogale
7. Siqwana-Ndulo
8. Mattyumzo
9. N Mayekiso
10. P Lembede
11. Z Mlakalaka
12. S de Bruin
13. L Nchabeleng
14. C Mavi
15. D Matubatse
16. M Xaba
17. Jenny Malan
18. Dr Baai
19. Dr B Dumisa
20. V Mgwili
21. P Mbowane
22. E Rapuleng
23. R Manjoo

Numbers 1, 2, 3 and 21 are serving commissioners. The Commission encourages continuity. Numbers 8, 18 and 19 are men.

The Committee agreed to add seven names to make this a shortlist of 30 names but that they would not consider curriculum vitaes received after the deadline. The dates of the interviews will be 26 - 28 February and 5 March, if necessary. The interviews will be open to the media and the public.

Appendix
For the Attention of: Ms Lulu Xingwana
Chairperson: Parliamentary Ad Hoc Selection Committee for Commissioners of the Commission for Gender Equality
16 February 2001

SOME GUIDELINES ON THE PREFERRED QUALITIES THAT THE CGE WOULD LIKE TO BE ACHIEVED IN THE SELECTION PROCESS

Dear Ms Xingwana

Regional representivity and merits of genuine need

Due to financial constraints the CGE has only managed to have four regional offices in Northern Province, Kwa Zulu-Natal, Free State and Western Cape. The other regions, viz Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and North West were services by commissioners who were not resident in these provinces and were operating from the Head Office. Consequently we feel that an equitable spread of physical location of Commissioners according to social and community needs would be desirable. That is, it would be of great importance that commissioners (although with national responsibilities as they would always be) representing, for example, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape be part of the final list to be appointed by the President. The two are among three priority provinces including Kwa Zulu-Natal that host seriously marginalised rural communities. The majority of marginalised communities tend to be women whilst men are away in urban centres in search of jobs.

The CGE in the past four years has experienced the difficulties of reach and access to those areas of serious need that we need to address with speed. Easy access to commissioners by community has proven imperative. This way, we will be able to reduce travel and accommodation costs of travelling commissioners. By sharing space with other Chapter 9 institutions in those provinces will be able to reduce office costs.

Male Commissioners
We would like to emphasise that it is important that we have committed men as commissioners who will espouse the values of gender equality. This is important for balancing the voice behind the course of justice and therefore the credibility of the course, especially to fellow men. It also puts into practice the notion that gender issues cannot be left to only a portion of society. It has to be an issue of national priority in all sectors of society in transition.

I hope this will suffice in addition to the literature that we have already sent to your office.

Yours faithfully,

JOYCE PILISO-SEROKE
CHAIRPERSON