Hansard: NCOP: Unrevised hansard
House: National Council of Provinces
Date of Meeting: 10 Aug 2022
Summary
No summary available.
Minutes
UNREVISED HANSAR
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WEDNESDAY, 10 AUGUST 2022
PROCEEDINGS OF HYBRID SITTING OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
Watch: Plenary
The Council met at 14:00.
The Chairperson took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon delegates, you are reminded that the rules and the processes apply for the virtual sitting of the NCOP. I will therefore like to remind you of the following:
That the virtual sitting constitutes the sitting of the National Council of Provinces.
That the place of sitting is deemed to be Cape Town where the seat of the National Council of Provinces is.
That the delegates in the virtual sitting enjoy the same powers and privileges that apply in a sitting of the National Council of Provinces.
That for the purpose of a quorum, all delegates who are logged on to the virtual platform shall be considered present.
That delegates must switch on their videos if they want to speak and ensure that the microphones on their gadgets are muted and must always remain muted.
That the interpretation facility is active. Permanent delegates, members of the executive, special delegates and Salga representatives are requested to ensure that the interpretation facilities on their gadgets are properly activated to facilitate access for interpretation services.
That any delegate who wishes to speak must use the raise your hand function as we have always intend to remind members and emphasize that by now all of us should be familiar with the relevant icon.
Hon delegates, we will now move on to notices of motion or motions without notice. Just to remind members that I will now allow an opportunity to delegates to give notices of motions and 20 minutes in total has been allocated for this purpose for both notices of motion and motions without notice.
Delegates who wish to give notices of motion should use the raise your hand function, one and a half minute per motion. If delegates exceed the allocated time, you time shall have expired and your notice of motion will be printed in full on the next order paper.
So, we will start with motions without notice. Are there any notices of motions? Please use the raise your hand function and we will start with hon H.S Boshoff.
NOTICES OF MOTION
Ms H S BOSHOFF: I hereby move a motion that at its next sitting:
That this House-
(1) debates the failing infrastructure network of municipalities throughout South Africa and the threated poses on water security and investment.
TARVEN OWNER ALONG WITH SONS DIE FROM SHOOTING INCIDENT
(Draft Resolution)
Ms S A LUTHULI: I hereby rise on behalf of the EFF:
That the Council-
(1) notes the passing of Duncan Mzobe, owner of the Sqhopolozi Tavern, and his sons Sanele Mzobe, Sibusiso Mzobe, and patrons Phumlani Mphithiphithi, Rasta and Sphamandla Shezi;
(2) further notes that they all passed on as a result of a shootings incident in Savanna Park on the ...
Ms H S BOSHOFF: Point of order Chair?
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Yes, is that ...
Ms H S BOSHOFF: It’s Boshoff speaking. We are busy with notices of motion and not motion without notice. Thank you.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Yes, as we have reminded members before, it’s very important that these motions without notice, let me rather say that we starting with notices of motion.
That is where we are. We then move on to motions without notice. If members can also try to keep the notices of motions brief. Hon Luthuli, please proceed.
Ms S A LUTHULI: Chairperson, I am doing a motion without notice so I will proceed afterwards.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: No problem. Thank you very much.
Mr K MOTSAMAI: I rise on behalf of the EFF:
That the Council-
1. debates in its next sitting challenges faced by military veterans in gaining access to their legislated benefits which they are entitled to as stipulated in the SA Military Veteran Act.
Ms M L MAMAREGANE: Hon Chairperson, it is a notice of motion,
I don’t know if are past that already?
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: We can go back just this one time. Mamaregane, please proceed.
Ms M L MAMAREGANE: Hon Chairperson, allow me to rise on behalf of the ANC
That the House-
(1) in its next sitting debates, the progress showed by operation Vulandlela, a joint presidency, treasury unit that was established in 2020 to unblock the key structural reforms to boost economic growth;
(2) Vulandlela focuses on five objectives and 26 item list of related reforms.
WATER AND SANITATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN MPUMALANGA MUNICIPALITIES PLACING SIGNIFICANT STRAIN ON WATER SUPPLY RESULTING IN HIGH WATER DISTRIBUTION LOSSES
(Draft Resolution)
Ms H S BOSHOFF: Hon Chair, I move without notice:
That the House–
(1) notes with concern the dilapidated water and sanitation infrastructure throughout the Mpumalanga municipalities together with the lack of infrastructure maintenance and requisite tools of trade;
(2) also notes, that the 2020-21 Provincial Overview Report on Water and Sanitation Services, stated that 60% of Mpumalanga’s water supply infrastructure is old which places a significant strain on water supply resulting in high water distribution losses;
(3) further notes that the water demand in eMalahleni far exceeds the supply with a deficit of 39,43 megalitres per day, in Dr JS Moroka the current deficit is 20 megalitres per day, and in Thembisile Hani 17,1 megalitres per day;
(4) further notes that losses in Lekwa increased from plus minus R62 million to roughly R77 million, in Thembisile Hani the losses cost the municipality R62,8 million;
(5) also notes that in eMalahleni unaccounted water losses increased from plus minus 15 million kilolitres in 2019-20 to around 18 million kilolitres in 2020-21 and in Govan Mbeki unaccounted water losses increased from 10 million kilolitres in 2019-20 to 11 million kilolitres in 2020-21; and
(6) calls on the MEC of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, COGTA, Mandla Ndlovu, to ring fence a portion of the 17 local municipalities’ budgets for water infrastructure maintenance as distribution losses threaten water security and investment.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
UNITED KINGDOM TO BAN CONTRACTS WITH BAIN & COMPANY GLOBAL CONSULTING FIRM
(Draft Resolution)
Mr A ARNOLDS: Hon Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House—
(1) notes the decision taken by the United Kingdom to ban contracts with the Bain & Company Global Consulting firm over their role in the capture of the South African Revenue Services;
(2) also notes that no similar action has been taken by any entity tasked with investigating and prosecuting crimes in South Africa against Bain and other corrupt companies;
(3) acknowledges that our government has not banned this company even though crimes committed are against our people;
(4) welcomes the calls made on those tasked with dealing with corruption to deal with corrupt companies and individuals wherever they are in the world;
(5) calls on the National Treasury to take bold steps against all the companies involved in state capture, past and present, and for the swift prosecutions of these companies; and
(6) also calls for swift prosecution of these companies because leaving leaders of companies such as Bain, Steinhoff and others untouched renders the fight against corruption in this country meaningless.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
ILLEGAL MINING ESCALATING IN SOUTH AFRICA CAUSING VIOLENT CRIMES IN MINING COMMUNITIES
(Draft Resolution)
Ms L C BEBEE: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House—
(1) notes with concern the escalation of illegal mining in different mining towns of South Africa which involves undocumented foreign nationals;
(2) notes that, as reported by the media, these illegal and criminal activities are also associated with other violent crimes like possession of illegal
weapons, terrorising surrounding communities, rape and murders of innocent and law-abiding citizens with impunity;
(3) further notes that this poses a serious threat to
South Africa’s national security;
(4) calls upon this august House to congratulate President Cyril Ramaphosa for establishing a specialised and dedicated police unit to deal with this crime; and
(5) calls on the President to strengthen the co- operation between the law enforcement agencies of South Africa and other SADC countries in the fight of this crime.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES CONTINUED SUCCESSES IN ABORTING CASH IN TRANSIT HEISTS
(Draft Resolution)
Ms S SHAIKH: Hon Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House—
(1) notes with a great sense of pride the recent trends reported by the media about the continued successes of the South African Police Services, Saps, in aborting the cash in transit heists;
(2) also notes the minimum casualties on the side of the SAPS during these encounters which normally involves the use of high calibre machine guns by the cash in transit heist criminal perpetrators;
(3) believes that this demonstrates the improved capacity, efficiency and heroism of our men and women in blue and enhanced coordination between the state intelligence services and the private sector security establishments; and
(4) expresses its congratulations to the South African Police Services for their diligence, heroism and bravery in taking these criminals toe to toe.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
WESTERN CAPE MUNICIPALITIES RANKED HIGHEST IN SOUTH AFRICA
(Draft Resolution)
Mr I M SILEKU: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House—
(1) notes the two recent reports on the Western Cape municipalities from the Auditor-General and Ratings Afrika respectively;
(2) also notes that 22 municipalities in the Western Cape received unqualified audits and a further five received qualified audits with findings;
(3) further notes that Ratings Afrika’s most recent Municipal Financial Sustainability Index found that the Western Cape’s municipalities are generally financially stable;
(4) acknowledges that the DA-lead province is home to the highest ranked municipalities in South Africa;
(5) also acknowledges that these findings highlight that municipalities in the Western Cape are leading the way and setting an example for clean, efficient and effective local governance in South Africa; and
(6) congratulates the Democratic Alliance-led Western Cape, for demonstrating firm leadership.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
SAVANNAH PARK TARVEN MASS SHOOTING
(Draft Resolution)
Ms S A LUTHULI: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House—
(1) notes the passing of Duncan Mzobe, owner of the Sqhopolozi tavern, and his sons Sanele Mzobe,
Sibusiso Mzobe, and patrons Phumlani Mphithiphithi, Rasta and Sphamandla Shezi;
(2) further notes that they all passed on as a result of a shootings incident in Savanna Park on 31 July 2022, when gunmen entered the Sqhopolozi tavern and opened fire on patrons;
(3) also notes the rising number of mass shootings, but in particular tavern shootings, in KwaZulu-Natal and across all provinces in South Africa;
(4) acknowledges that South Africa’s safety and security
is currently under threat ...
IsiZulu:
... njengoba kubukeka ukudutshulwa ezindaweni zokucima ukoma kwanda futhi kushiya abantu bethukile emalokishini. Sidlulisa amazwi enduduzo emndenini, komakhelwane nabo bonke abantu abathintekile sengathi imimoya yabo ingalala ngokuthula.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
NORTHERN CAPE POLICE RESCUE 44 PEOPLE SUSPECTED TO BE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
(Draft Resolution)
Ms B M BARTLETT: Hon Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House—
(1) notes that 44 people were rescued during an operation after suspicions of human trafficking surfaced in Mothibistad in Kuruman;
(2) also notes that the group from Gauteng were promised a learnership in electricity and light-making in the Northern Cape but it turns out they were only there to be trafficked;
(3) further notes that a multi-disciplinary team rescued the group and provided them with temporary accommodation after eight of them visited the local police station to lodge a complaint; and
(4) calls on the police to leave no stone unturned in making sure that the perpetrators of this crime face the full might of the law.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
PETITION OF THE GA-SEKHUKHUNE MUNICIPALITY NOT SUPPLYING FIVE VILLAGES WITH WATER FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS DESPITE FOUR COURT ORDERS
(Draft Resolution)
Ms C VISSER: Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the House—
(1) notes that the NCOP receives petitions, submissions and representations from interest groups and communities when all channels of communication are exhausted but are not dealt with constructively;
(2) further notes that the period a petition is submitted takes months before it serves before the committee;
(3) further notes that the petition of the Ga-Sekhukhune Municipality not supplying five villages with water for more than 10 years despite four court orders exhausted all available channels including President Ramaphosa’s Office. It is said that when water is delivered, the water is muddy and has a foul smell. Recently again the community was without water for three weeks.
(4) also notes that in terms of co-operative governance, appropriate action should be considered ensuring the matters are effectively resolved as soon as possible and that the select committee be informed accordingly; and
(5) agrees that the petitioner receives communication on the decisions and time-frames of all processes and procedures.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.
DISPLACED COMMUNITY
(Draft Resolution)
Ms D C CHRISTIANS: Thank you, Chairperson. On behalf of the Democratic Alliance, I hereby move without notice:
That this Council-
(1) notes with great concern the displaced community of White City, Roodepan, in Kimberley in the Northern Cape due to sewerage leaks;
(2) further notes that the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality has failed to fix and maintain the broken infrastructure of the sewer pump station in this area, now causing further damage to the homes of residents;
(3) recalls that a number of households living in White City, Roodepan, in Kimberley have had to leave their
sewage flooded homes and relocate to the Riverton Resort, outside of Kimberley, where affected families lived for months due to the specified municipality’s failure to address the sewerage crises, leaving their properties unattended and at the mercy of thieves and vandals, and creating huge transport challenges for these families to get to work and school;
(4) notes with further frustration that these 15 homes, of the still displaced families, have now been completely vandalised and broken down;
(5) brings to the attention of this House that sinkholes are now forming in this area and that a further 50 families’ homes are now in jeopardy due to sewage leaks;
(6) also notes that the premier of the Northern Cape indicated in 2020 that an amount of R500 million would be allocated, amongst others, to sewer pump repairs in the city, in fact, an amount of
R20 million was to be spent towards addressing water and sewage leakages;
(7) further notes that, however, to date nothing has been repaired and the city of Kimberley further deteriorates as sewerage leaks now occur in every suburb across the city;
(8) also notes that the DA has laid a charge against the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality at the SA Police Service and has filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission;
(9) notes that the area has also now been declared a disaster area by the municipality but they have failed to assist this community with housing or compensation;
(10) also notes that this area is now a health, safety, economic and humane crises as people’s homes continue to flood with raw sewage;
(11) further notes that the residents of White City with the help of the Democratic Alliance have signed a petition that will be handed over to the premier of the Northern Cape asking for a face-to-face meeting with the premier. Further requesting compensation
for the loss of their homes incurred directly because of mismanagement and negligence on the part of Sol Plaatje Local Municipality; and
(12) lastly, asks that this House notes the human rights tragedy occurring in this community and further urges Minister Mchunu to intervene, as the provincial government is unable to avert this disaster.
Thank you, Chairperson.
Motion objected.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: How can you object an important motion? That
is an important issue you object to it, you’ve got no shame.
Ms H S BOSHOFF: I agree. I agree.
BASOTHO NATIONALS CROSS BORDERS ILLEGALLY
(Draft Resolution)
Ms M N GILLION: Hon Chairperson, allow me to rise on behalf of the African National Congress:
That this august House –
(1) notes with pride the deep concerns and position of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho about the reported incidents of Basotho nationals who cross the borders illegally into South Africa and become part of the criminal syndicates;
(2) also notes the resolve by the Mountain Kingdom to strengthen its border control as part of reinforcing South Africa’s resolve to stamp out illegal immigration;
(3) believing that, without the co-operation of the Southern African Development Community, SADC, countries, cross-border crimes and illegal immigration into South Africa cannot be resolved; and
(4) therefore, welcomes the efforts of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho and further calls on this august
House to congratulate them for this act of solidarity and good neighbourhood.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: We object the motion – objection.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Who is objecting?
Ms M O MOKAUSE: We’re objecting to that motion.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Jaa, please say your name.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: My gadgets are well-mentioned there. My name is on my gadgets. We object.
Mr M NHANHA: Chairperson, there was an objection to hon
Christians’ motion and you didn’t ask.
Ms D G MAHLANGU: It’s Mokause ...
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: We are now dealing with hon
Gillion’s motion ... [Interjections.]
Mr M NHANHA: Exactly my point, Chair.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: ... the member objected and I want to know who the objecting person is.
Mr S ZANDAMELA: You didn’t ask earlier on, Chairperson, who was objecting. You didn’t ask earlier on who was objecting, why are you asking now who’s objecting?
Mr M NHANHA: Chairperson, I rise on the point of order, can I make my point before they interject again.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Let’s hear what the point of
order is.
Mr M NHANHA: Chairperson, my point is that there was a motion read by hon Christians. It was objected to, and you did not ask for the objector’s name. Now, an ANC motion is being objected to, you want to know the objector’s name. I’m saying to you, Chair, that is not fair.
Ms D G MAHLANGU: It’s fair, if he doesn’t recognise ...
[Interjections.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: I think you are missing a point there big time, Nhanha. You are missing a point big time. The
reason may be why I didn’t pursue the issue in relation to hon Christians’ motion is because I could identify the voice in the background. All I needed to do, really, in this one was to find out who the person is because I couldn’t immediately identify the voice.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: I am clearly identifiable. I am clearly identifiable.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: We will now proceed. I wanted to
know who’d have object our ... [Interjections.]
An HON MEMBER: Whose voice was it?
Ms M O MOKAUSE: We will not tell you who objected, it is your responsibility as the Chairperson of the House, you are supposed to be checking all the gadgets. My gadget is very clear here. My gadget is named.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Now I do ... [Interjections.]
Ms M O MOKAUSE: We will not tell him to the ... [Inaudible.]
... of the ANC.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Thank you very much, we proceed. Now, because we have had an objection the motion may not proceeded with and become a notice of a motion. We will now go back to hon Lucas. Hon Lucas!
WESTERN CAPE EXECUTIVE’S DISAPPOINTMENT
(Draft Resolution)
Ms S E LUCAS: Thank you very much, Chairperson. I rise on a motion without notice:
That this House –
(1) notes our disappointment in the Western Cape provincial executive that snapped the Women’s Charter report back session;
(2) also notes that almost 1 000 women from the Western Cape came together to listen to the feedback with regards to the high-level session that we had with the government of the Western Cape before where they made some commitments;
(3) further notes that not a single one of the executive of the Western Cape pitched to make sure that they, together with ourselves, give feedback to the women of the Western Cape with regards to the issues that we have raised for them before, and with which they agreed that it will be together with the NCOP and Parliament will work on these issues; and
(4) therefore, I want this House to take note with deep disappointment that it was the first province that we have visited and the first province when the single member of the executive pitched not and even the City of Cape Town.
Motion objected.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: Chairperson, we are objecting to the fact that Parliament resources are being used to fund ANC programme in the Western Cape. That was a purely ANC programme, you could even see on the picture how ANC people arrive in ... [Inaudible.] ... Therefore, we object.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: That’s not a point of order, it’s a point of debate and we ... [Interjections.] ... appropriate moment. Any objection to the motion?
Ms M O MOKAUSE: I objected the motion.
Mr S E LUCAS: They can object, but it remains the truth.
NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
(Subject for discussion)
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES: Thank you, hon Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ntate Amos Masondo, hon Deputy Chairperson, Mme Sylvia Lucas, hon members, happy Women’s Day and a happy women’s month.
Yesterday, I had the honor of joining His Excellency the President, Cyril Ramaphosa in Umgungundlovu in Richmond in KwaZulu-Natal to commemorate the National Women’s Day under the theme: Women’s Socioeconomic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Resilience 365 days of the
year. All women from all corners and leaders in particular made their presence felt and we had a successful day.
This month’s celebration and commemoration is formidable for the women of 1956. Twenty thousand women had gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to air their views on their continued fight for the liberation of our nation. We stand proud with the women who refused to be silenced, discriminated, subjugated and oppressed.
Hon members, the SA Gender Assessment study by the World Bank and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and other stakeholders reveal that significant progress has been made towards gender equality since 1994.
However, the study also revealed that the largest stumbling block to advancing gender equality is the lack of economic empowerment of women, high prevalence of gender-based violence and femicide in our communities and the poor implementation of the progressive legislative frameworks that we undertake.
Therefore, the department, in line with our mandate, will continue to advocate, monitor, evaluate, and regulate for the rights and empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities. At the same time, as the custodian of the
National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, GBVF, we continue to lobby all government departments and social partners to collaborate in the fight against gender- based violence and femicide and its national strategic plan, NSP, which is currently in year two of its implementation.
Over the past two years, strides have been made in the following areas: the National, Economic, Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, has just concluded its consultation on the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and submitted a report to me which will soon be presented to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration and further processing; the Multisectoral GBVF Rapid Response Teams are in the process of being established in all provinces, districts and local municipality levels; the department continues to work with the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to ensure the integration of the priorities of the NSP-GBVF into the District Development Model and Integrated Development Plans; technical monitors and data capturers have been placed in three pilot provinces including KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng to enhance the capacity of provinces to implement the NSP and the Gender Budgeting Framework; and the department has developed the Comprehensive National Prevention Strategy on GBVF that is
designed to proactively predict and prevent violence; the President will convene the second Presidential Summit on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in November to take stock and hold different sectors accountable on the progress made on the implementation of the NSP.
Although significant progress has been made, the reality is that women, children and LGBTQIA+ persons are not safe in our communities.
In the past week, the country woke up to the horrific and brutal murder of matric girls in Ngwangwane village, in the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
This is just days after eight models were ambushed and raped by a gang while filming a music video in Krugersdorp, Johannesburg. We find ourselves in a moment of crisis that requires urgent intervention.
The department remains committed to empowering women and girls by promoting socioeconomic opportunities across diverse sectors and value chains. The department is facilitating the integration of women, youth and persons with disabilities in the value chain management within the sanitary dignity process. This is part of fulfilling the mandate and the
recommendations of policies of the Sanitary Dignity Implementation Framework.
Furthermore, in 2021, the department initiated the implementation of the Gender Responsive Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. We are continuing with this work across all three spheres of Government. We have broadened the framework to include youth, disability as well all those vulnerable who needs our care. The key developments over the past year include: Firstly, the department continues to capacitate departments on the mainstreaming and institutionalization of the Framework; secondly, we are working with the SA Local Government Association, Salga, to provide an induction program for councilors on the framework and NSP on gender-based violence and femicide; thirdly, our advocacy and capacity-building workshops on the framework has reached over 300 participants in quarter 1 of 2022-23; fourthly, the 3rd report on the Self-Assessment Report on the implementation of the framework was developed and approved by Cabinet in May 2022. The report provided a number of recommendations and also revealed a steady improvement in the institutionalization of the framework across more departments; fifthly, the department is collaborating with the National Treasury on the development of implementation guidelines for
gender responsive budgeting in relation to the framework and the fiscal discourse; and lastly, the department continues to engage with social partners on gender responsive budgeting through policy dialogue. Our recent engagement had over 700 international and national delegates participating.
Part of our mandate as a department is to advocate for greater participation, representation, ownership and decision-making of women in the economy. The following interventions are well under way: Firstly, the department, in partnership with the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs continues to facilitate access to information for women, youth and persons with disabilities to increase their participation in the value chains on the Eastern Seaboard Development, which has just started. It was also quiet heartening to see the exhibitions that were shown to the participants yesterday as we celebrated August 9th; secondly, the department continues to facilitate the participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities in the energy sector, including the participation of women in the energy sector during the Africa Energy Indaba 2022; thirdly, we have implemented a radio talk show in 11 official languages to support enterprise development and business compliance amongst women in business; fourthly, the department is a strategic partner to the Women’s
Economic Assembly, Wecona, that was launched by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2021. The Wecona assists to facilitate a minimum of 40% of all procurement opportunities for women-owned businesses across sectoral value chains; and lastly, we have also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to ensure women, youth and persons with disabilities are mainstreamed in agriculture and land redistribution.
In conclusion, as we commence with the NCOP’s National Women’s Day debate, may we collectively unite across all political parties against patriarchy, poverty, inequalities, unemployment and gender-based violence and femicide as enemies to our people. We must respond to the clarion call to advance women’s effective participation in the development of our country and champion the broader call for gender equality of all our people. Malibongwe.
IsiZulu:
USEKELA SIHLALO WOMKHANDLU KAZWELONKE WEZIFUNDAZWE (Nk S E
Lucas): Igama lamakhosikazi!
ILUNGU ELIHLONIPHEKILE: Igama lamakhosikazi!
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): Thank you
very much, Chairperson. Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces hon Masondo ...
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Lucas, you are muted.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): Am I not
clear? Am I audible?
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Please proceed. I was muted on my side. Please proceed.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): Thank you,
hon Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces hon Amos Boet Ambi Masondo, the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities hon Nkoana-Mashabane, House Chairpersons Ngwenya and Nyambi, Chief Whip of the NCOP hon Mohai, members of the Council, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, as South Africans we all agree that we need to build a society that is peaceful, that is equal and that is just, as envisaged in our National Development Plan, NDP, the UN Agenda 2030 and the African Agenda 2063.
The current situation in South Africa calls exactly for the women of South Africa to exert pressure on the population to join hands and ensure the safety of women. Thomas Sankara once said, “Comrades, there is no true social revolution without the liberation of women.”
We, as the population of South Africa need to make sure ... and we stand in agreement with our hon President His Excellency Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, when he said that we call on men to lead the call to action. Now, we also want to mention the police and we want to congratulate ... the action that was taken after the eight models were raped in Krugersdorp. We just got news that at least seven of the people that were arrested can be positively linked to the rape of those women. The women of South Africa also agree that we all need to take the issues of women very seriously and that it should receive the urgent attention it desires.
Women in the past have emerged as a primary catalyst for protest against and as challengers of the apartheid regime. South African women have never lost sight of the fact that meaningful change for them cannot come through reforms from the confines of an oppressive regime. They understood that
their liberation could only materialise from the total destruction of that system.
The ANC Women’s League has an illustrious history from its launch in 1931 to the 1952 Defiance Campaign and the penning of the Women’s Charter, and finally the Women’s March in 1956. Out of these emerged a pantheon of women leaders whose names still inspire pride in the political role of women in this country. Whom amongst us will forget Fatima Meer, Isitwalandwe Helen Joseph and Lilian Ngoyi, who were the founders of the formation of the Federation of SA Women, Fedsaw, in 1954, which marked the start of a period of expansion of the political involvement of women, particularly black women. The specific aim of Fedsaw was to bring the women of South Africa together, in order to secure full equality of opportunity for all women, regardless of race, colour or creed, as well as to remove their social, legal and economic disabilities.
A draft Women’s Charter was presented by Hilda Bernstein, and in complete identification with the national liberation movement as represented by the Congress Alliance, at the established Fedsaw. It was adopted at the inaugural conference and included in the final report of that conference.
The 1954 Women’s Charter called for the enfranchisement of men and women of all races; for equality of opportunity in employment; equal pay for equal work; equal rights in relation to property rights, marriage and children; and the removal of all laws and customs that denied women such equality. It further demanded paid maternity leave, and free and compulsory education for all South African children. These demands were later incorporated into the Freedom Charter that was adopted by the Congress of the People, held in Kliptown near Johannesburg.
The above is an illustration that women in South Africa have
... [no audio] ... brutal regime and specifically as challengers of the apartheid regime.
Early in the 1990s during the transitional period, the women of South Africa emphasised two strategies. These two strategies postulated the perspective of inclusive and transformative politics as complementary and mutually dependent. This was most clearly exemplified in the Women’s Charter for Effective Equality adopted by the Women’s National Coalition in 1994, which called for increased access to arenas of decision-making, as well as structural transformation.
The strategy for inclusion had broad support among women activists, as it was seen as a means towards the goal of changing the conditions of the extent to which nonelite groups could expect that democracy would increase their access to power. Demands for inclusion also involved a substantive questioning of the assumption that the transition would result in grassroots citizens’ participation in political institutions.
The demand for quotas was supported because it was seen as an instrument that would facilitate women’s access to decision- making and create a political space in which to articulate a transformatory ideal of citizenship. Representation was not conceived of as an end in itself, but as part of a broader agenda for the redistribution of social and economic power.
For these reasons as well, the women’s movement participated in sharpening the design of the national machinery for women, a set of institutions inside and around the state that would create the mechanisms to articulate women’s particular policy interests and hold the state accountable for its broad commitments to gender equality.
The 2019 Women’s Parliament took a resolution that Parliament should embark on a process to review the entire women’s rights regime, in order to assess the efficacy of existing systematic and institutional mechanisms across the three spheres of government, in order to advance the realisation of gender equality. The review process has explicitly expressed the glaring policy practice and the disjuncture between public endorsement of gender equality and actual institutional practice.
The 1994 Women’s Charter for Effective Equality was used as the background to commence the review process. The 1994 charter provided both the scope and context to assess the efficacy of key development policies, legislative instruments and institutional arrangements currently in place, aimed at advancing the gender equality agenda.
The outcome of the review, as led by South African women from all walks of life, was the revised Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development, which is a strategic manuscript constructed within the ambit and enabling context of a developmental state.
The Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development now serves as the demand document for the women of South Africa, articulating matters of urgent prioritisation. The revised charter will also serve as a road map for effective policy redesign going forward, legislative instrument efficacy assessments, three sphere co-ordination of gender responsive plans and budgets, implementation review processes, as well as monitoring and evaluation processes.
The Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development asserts the legitimacy and rights of women to enjoy an improved quality of life, and it asserts that effective equality can only be realised if the state machinery, in all its facets, is functionally gender mainstreamed. It further demands that a theory of change be embedded across all facets of the state machinery, in order to create an enabling environment for gender equality to be achieved. This charter emphasises the imperative of mainstreaming gendered perspectives and priorities into government’s planning and state machinery arrangements across the three spheres.
The Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development is a worthy creation reflecting the collective idealism of our liberation. It is a set of institutionalised gender tools, which needs a
social ... [no audio] ... condition of women. It lays the foundation laid by our women forebears in the development of progressive women’s rights. It has crafted a clear road map, which all sectors of our society can follow, as we advance collectively to transform the unequal development terrain in our country.
The National gender Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality ... Gender Equality is enshrined in several international declarations and conventions to which South Africa is a signatory. South Africa’s policy and legal framework on gender equity reflects these, the foremost example being our Constitution. More especially, South Africa’s policy on gender and women’s rights is outlined in the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill and the National Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment.
Despite the existence of the draft Gender Policy Framework for Local Government, provincial review sessions of the Women’s Charter have highlighted systematic weaknesses in gender mainstreaming at provincial and local levels. These weaknesses point to: A lack of resource allocation; a lack of gender mainstreaming in integrated development planning, IDP, processes; a gender discourse that is events driven; an unco-
ordinated provincial gender machinery; the lack of expertise and know-how in implementing gender mainstreaming processes; and a general lack of support, amongst others.
Furthermore, the Gender Policy Framework for Local Government was launched in September 2000 and emphasised the role that the IDP can play in mainstreaming gender in policies and implementation plans, as well as the importance of key stakeholders such as gender focal points and structures such as gender forums and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, to institutionalise government’s commitment to achieve gender equality. Yet to be finalised, the framework remains in draft form and has not been broadly adopted by municipalities, which is indicative of the failure to institutionalise gender mainstreaming at local level.
In order to advance gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow, gender budgeting in particular remains an urgent vehicle for contributing to gender equality. The principles of equality must be embedded in and mainstreamed into the Provincial Growth and Development Strategies, as well as the Provincial Spatial Development Framework of provinces.
All spheres of government, civil society and all South Africans need to continue to come together to bring an end to the scourge of gender-based violence, GBV, and femicide. A centralised digital tracking system linking health, police and court services must be made available to victims of GBV, in order to track their cases through central tracking numbers, in order to ensure that women victims of violence are kept informed on the progress of their cases. We must ensure that the state builds capacity to design and deliver gender- responsive social protection systems. The state must invest in gendered poverty and vulnerability assessments, and improve disaggregated data.
I want to extrapolate, from the Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development, some of the key demands made by women during the review process, which should be prioritised for implementation as apex priorities.
Strategic objective seven of the Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development postulates the demand for the promotion of equitable access to comprehensive, adequate and sustainable social protection systems for our women.
Social protection coverage for women of working age, and for children and adolescents, especially in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, has improved over the past two decades but nevertheless remains limited. A gendered political economy analysis approach can help to understand why and how progress has or has not been made in promoting gender equality objectives in social protection design, implementation and outcomes, and to identify entry points for priority action.
Social protection for women is postulated in the Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development as a transitory process, where women who are eligible will receive social protection from government ... must also be prioritised for skills development, employment opportunities and business opportunities. In this way, women and their children will be freed from the clutches of generational poverty.
Strategic objective eight of the Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development postulates women’s demand for deconstructing patriarchy and inequality in political and civic life, with particular focus on advancing women’s adequate representation, particularly at local government level.
From the local to the global level, women’s leadership and political participation continues to be restricted. Women are underrepresented as voters, as well as in leading positions, whether in elected office, the civil service, the private sector or academia. This occurs, despite their proven abilities as leaders and agents of change, and their right to participate equally in democratic governance. Women face several obstacles to participating in political life.
Structural barriers through discriminatory laws and institutions still limit women’s options to run for office. We need to ensure that these matters are addressed in order to enable women to participate effectively across all sectors of society.
Strategic objective 10 of the Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development postulates women’s demand for deconstructing patriarchal hegemony in custom, culture and religion.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: As you conclude, hon member.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): Oh, hon
Chairperson, you are now really making me ... You are really confusing me now.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: No, it’s a question of time. Try
to conclude.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): However, I
want to reiterate that the struggle terrain for women in this epoch is the realisation of radical economic transformation for the women of South Africa.
A growing body of evidence shows that economic growth is a gendered process and that gender inequalities can pose barriers to shared prosperity. Growth patterns that exploit women’s position as a source of flexible labour may result in jobs that do very little to transform their bargaining power within the economy or lessen the burden of their unpaid care work. Growth that generates forms of employment that favour male workers can also buttress existing ideologies of the male breadwinner, leaving pre-existing gender inequalities largely intact. Such evidence makes it clear that unless the gender dimensions of inclusive growth are made explicit and unless policies for inclusive growth aim to improve women’s wellbeing and address gender gaps, it is unlikely that growth will benefit women and men equally. We must ensure that we wage a concerted fight for radical economic transformation to enable
women’s equitable access into all economic platforms of the
country.
The emancipation of women is not an act of charity or the result of a humanitarian or compassionate attitude. The liberation of women is a fundamental necessity for society, the guarantee of its continuity and the precondition of its victory. Hence, the theme of this debate is: Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow. Ke a leboga. Thank you very much. Enkosi, Chairperson.
Ms F NKOMONYE (Eastern Cape): Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, the Deputy Chairperson of NCOP, Permanent Delegates as well as Special Delegates, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to extend warm greetings to you all on behalf of the people of the province of the Eastern Cape. We welcome the invitation to participate in this important discussion on the commemoration of National Women's Day under the theme, “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”
Chairperson, this is indeed a good theme that the Council has chosen for this year. But sadly again, a women’s month in our country is clouded by brutality meted out to women. It is
becoming an undesirable norm that every year on women’s month, some horrific crime is committed against the women of our country, and those crimes shock the country as well as the entire globe.
As the Eastern Cape Province we add our voices to condemn the incident that occurred in Krugersdorp, where eight women were brutally raped. We cannot fathom the pain they are going through as they have to live the rest of their lives with deep physical and psychological scars of the rape ordeal. As a society we must be a strong support system for the eight victims and many other women, going through the same agony of gender-based violence and femicide. They do not need us to play politics about their ordeal, but they want real meaningful support.
We also record our disgust to what happened and call for swift actions by law enforcement agencies to bring all the rapists to book. That incident indicates clearly that women in our country remain highly vulnerable to violent crimes, hence the SA Police Service’s crime statistics consistently highlights that women are on the receiving end of most crimes that are committed in South Africa. More must be done by the entire justice system to protect women and to deliver justice on
their behalf when they have been violated. The people of this country our fast losing trust in the justice system, and I hope that those who lead it are taking note.
Coming back to the theme of the day Chairperson, as the Eastern Cape we believe that good progress has been made to affirm women in our country. Yesterday marked the 66th anniversary of the historic march to the Union Buildings by the gallant heroines of our struggle for national liberation.
IsiXhosa:
Izenzo zamanina athatha inxaxheba kuloo migushuzo zaveza elubala kwihlabathi ukujongelwa phantsi kwamalungelo abantu abangoomama phantsi kombuso wengcinezelo.
English:
Under their clarion slogan of “Wathinta abafazi” their heroic fight against apartheid draconian laws was a history-defining moment in the struggle of our liberation.
IsiXhosa:
Yiyo loo nto namhlanje sisitsho ngebhongo ukuba amanina ayekhona emzabalazweni kwaye enefuthe eligqamileyo.
English:
It is precisely for this reason that the post-1994 democratic government made the commitment to empower women in South Africa, in recognition of the role they played in the struggle and to reverse the indignity of sexism and inequality they suffered under apartheid. This year, our women’s month celebrations have special significance because our women’s football team Banyana Banyana, has conquered Africa by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Wafcon 2022, and the province of the Eastern Cape had six players in that team.
It is a historic achievement and we are proud of what the girls have achieved. We also welcome the contributions by businesses and government to empower Banyana Banyana players addressing issues such as their education and their wages. The University of South Africa has made a specially bursary programme for all the 23 players of Banyana Banyana to further their studies. Education will benefit our players even after they retire from playing football. We urge them to grab the opportunity presented by University of South Africa, Unisa with both hands.
We also welcome the commitment made by our President Cyril Ramaphosa to end wage disparities between our male and female
national teams. We call on owners of Premier Soccer League, PSL teams such as Kaiser Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Chippa United to launch women’s teams that can compete in the PSL, and offer women a chance to make a living through football.
In other sectors of socioeconomic structure, women are occupying more positions of leadership in government, state- owned enterprises and some private sector firms. The good thing is that, women who are leading at these institutions are already making progressive changes where they lead. For instance, Transnet is turning a corner under the leadership of Ms Portia Derby, as they recently posted a recovery from the Covid-19 financial fallout, reporting a R5 billion profit for its full year ending 31 March 2022. Airports Company of South Africa, Acsa is steady under the leadership of Ms Mpumi Mpofu, meaning the rebuilding of our state-owned enterprises, SEOs into formidable decades for development is in full swing.
The economic emancipation of women in many of our communities is also yielding positive results. We now see more women-led companies building schools, houses, roads and other development initiatives. For example, we recently opened a brand new R128 million Thora Primary School at Engcobo that was built by 50% women owned construction company called Temi
Construction. If you go to our Coega Special Economic Zone, as well as East London Industrial Development Zone, you will find women contractors on site, building new factories for investors.
This indicates clearly that women are claiming their space in the sectors that were previously male dominated. More women are making their mark also in the agricultural sector. Female farmers such as Zoliwe Nombewu and Siphesihle Kwetana are game changers in the agricultural sector. But the challenges of access to land and capital remain an obstacle to their growth. This is where more focus and resources must be invested by government and the private sector.
With those few words hon Chairperson, as the Province of the Eastern Cape, we are saying, forward with gender equality. By the time we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our democracy in 2024, we must be in a better position on gender equality and mainstreaming of women than we are today. Thank you very much.
Mr M BARA: Hon Chairperson, hon members, hon Minister and
Deputy Minister, happy Women’s Day and women’s month ...
IsiXhosa:
... kwiimbokodo zonke zelizwe lethu.
English:
Gender equality is a fundamental human right. Gender equality in South Africa was reported at 1% in 2020 according to the World Bank, indicating just how dismal we as a country are doing. Gender equality means the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of individuals will not depend on whether they are male or female, handicapped or able-bodied, young or elderly, white or black, from rural or urban settings. To achieve this, South Africa has many mountains to climb to achieve gender equality by 2030.
The progress needed by SA to reach the gender related targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals requires strong and renewed efforts. With only eight years to go until the deadline to achieve the sustainable development goals, the progress in gender equality and gender sustainable development goals, SDGs indicators has stagnated. In reality, gender equality seems like an illusion in South Africa.
Gender-based violence is another major societal challenge and plague in South Africa. South African women are still economically disadvantaged. They make up a disproportionate
section of the unemployed and tend to occupy more of the lower paid jobs, as domestic and farm labourers. They often earn less than men for the same task. This cannot be, in a democratic and equal society that we claim to be.
Recently, the South African Women’s Soccer Team, Banyana Banyana won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Wafcon and the recent debate of reimbursement being equal to that of their male counterparts, Bafana Bafana was an issue of discussion. One would have to face reality and ask, why was it even an issue of debate in a country that has been talking and preaching gender equality for more than two decades. As President Ramaphosa promised when welcoming the national heroines, this must be corrected with immediate effect.
Women are still bearing the cross of being undermined in the workplace when they are in senior positions, mainly because they are females. Women have a burden of having to prove their ability twice as much as men due to the patriarchal society with gender norms and values that are biased. Women participation is often limited by traditional and religious standards. There is a vast need for a robust women participation in decision-making.
Women constitute more than half of South African population, and therefore their voices must be included when decisions are taken, and laws are made. The inclusion of women in the decision-making process should be the cornerstone of gender equality. Women should participate in all levels of government and lawmaking, because the implementation of legislation and government policies has an impact on their daily lives. More importantly, research has shown that when women take part in decision-making, it leads to an increased focus and allocation of resources that improve the quality of life for all. An increase in the participation of women in lawmaking, can by extension lead to an improvement in access to basic services such as housing, education and welfare.
Despite women constituting the majority of the South African population, women are still in the minority when it comes to decision-making. There are many challenges that prevent women from playing a full and meaningful role, and the biggest one is poverty. Poverty is a struggle faced by many South African women, especially those in rural areas. According to statistics, one in every four women aged 18 or older, have experienced with a partner; physical, sexual or emotional violence in their lifetime. Poverty and food insecurity are
central to women being vulnerable. There is a strong connection between hunger and gender inequality.
The Marginalised Groups Indicator 2019 Report shows that on average, 40,6% of female-headed households were without an employed household member. Gender equality is regarded as an important determinant of food security. However, during 2019 approximately 1/10 which is 11,1% of female-headed households reported having suffered from hunger compared to 9,7% of male- headed households.
Gender inequality is a challenge across all sectors in South Africa, predominantly the health sector. COVID-19 has exposed significant gender gaps in women and girl’s rights, including increased violence. Issues related to teenage pregnancy significantly impact the empowerment of women. More than 6% of girls between 14 and 19 years of age were at different stages of pregnancy during the 12 months prior to the survey. Even though young girls are allowed to attend school while pregnant, other challenges such as financial, family support, discrimination and victimization from the society exist, that hinders them from progressing to higher levels of education.
Evidence shows that women of childbearing age who had their first birth at the age of 15-19 and 20-24, are less likely to attain a tertiary qualification compared to those who had their first birth later in life. However, we need to promote protective sex and family planning measures so as to ensure that unplanned and unwanted pregnancy is avoided.
Women are entitled to live in dignity, safety and security. Empowering women and girls is a needed tool, for advancing development and reducing poverty. Women who are healthy, educated and in charge of their lives contributes to the health and wealth of the whole society at large. There are widespread gender inequalities in maternal health, education at higher levels, employment, socioeconomic platforms, political participation and a broader socioeconomically area. Reality is, as much as there is consistent advocacy of gender equality, there is still a long way to go to ensure women emancipation in all levels of our society.
The ability of women and girls to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights to make free and informed choices about their sexual and reproductive life, is a vital component of gender equality. We need to engage more on how to address such problems and challenges in our country. Failure to do so, will
mean that women will never realize the fruits of our freedom and democratic society.
Lastly Chairperson, it is quite important that we choose capable individuals to lead a department that has to improve women’s lives in our country. Currently, the Ministry leaves a lot to be desired. Case in point, in our recent questions session with the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, she did not know the cup won by Banyana Banyana and secondly, did not instil any sense of confidence in this House and the general public, indicating just how huge a problem of cadre deployment is. I thank you Chairperson.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: Thank you, Chairperson of the Council. Chair, today we take part in this debate. We would like to extend a word of appreciation to the women of Matatiele, Alfred Nzo District in the Eastern Cape, who yesterday came in numbers to listen to the commander in chief, president of the EFF at Maluti Civic Centre. This clearly demonstrate the eager for change for women who no longer desire to live under the oppression of unemployment, lack of opportunities and resources that are channelled to those who are politically connected. We salute you women of Maluti for saying: we no
longer believe in this failed system of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Today we mark Women’s Day, the anniversary of the great women’s march of 1956 which was celebrated yesterday. Where
20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to protest against legislation aimed at tightening the apartheid government’s control over the movement of black women in urban areas. We celebrate the courageous and powerful women of Africa, who have come before us and fought against oppression. The generation of Lilian Ngoyi, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, Charlotte Maxeke and many others who were mobilizers in our communities and continue to inspire us to demand better living conditions.
Today also marks an opportunity to take stock of where we are and how far we have come in the struggle for equality, advocacy and support for women’s movement. This day allows us to take stock and strategize on a way forward. For we have come a long way since those women made those demands, but we are yet to accomplish what they started. Are we going to accomplish this under this administration? The answer is no.
As black African women today, there is little to celebrate as there currently exists little political will to ensure that gender equality is guaranteed. The achievement of meaningful freedom remains a struggle, whether it be in regard to the return of the land, economics or politics. Progress has been slow and uneven.
Women still face inequality and discrimination, no matter where they live. And as women of this country, we know the challenges before us, we can name them one by one. Today women are oppressed because positions in the workplace and in society in general, are still occupied by men to the exclusion of women. We struggle for recognition in the economic structure as men still decide who occupies which position.
Women are marginalised and underutilised in many public institutions. Black women in particular, endure double oppression and more economic exclusion than any other race. Men still earn larger wages than women, even in instances where they do the same work, with the same qualifications. And we are still started on lower wages too, this despite claims made about progress with gender equality in the workplace.
Black women remain invisible and stand as mere tokens, participating on the margins of the economy. Discrimination against women and girls is rampant, and in some cases getting worse. Educational and experience levels seem to make no difference. Our country is still under-performing on gender equality, and a large gap remains between laws and their implementers.
Our lives are also in constant danger. Women continue to die at the hands of men on a daily basis, across all provinces. Our country is characterised by a horrendous scourge of gender-based violence, so much so we have been labelled the “rape capital” of the world. A label which throughout the years has proven difficult to shake off, as hundreds of cases of rape and sexual assault are reported on a daily basis.
The fight against women abuse is held back because those in power are perpetrators of these crimes too. The man occupying the highest office in the land, currently stands accused of kidnapping and torturing his female domestic worker at Phala Phala farm. We stand here to today in a very important debate, but none of these ANC cheerleaders who spoke here before me mentioned this horrendous act of their President. We live in fear of being raped every day. Fear of being raped in our
homes, churches, at work and on the streets. And alarmingly, the perpetrators of these heinous acts are getting bolder and their acts more violent and bestial.
Our children are also dying at the hands of men and there hasn’t been much done by the administration of President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure that beyond the violence which we face, we are live ordinary lives. Women also remain the face of poverty in South Africa, under a government which claims to be having a full ministry of women and children who does not inspire confidence at all.
We are a country that is applauded for having the best Constitution, but our government, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa gets away with so much. Our Parliament beats up women and our law enforcement agencies are found wanting when crimes of gender based violence are reported to them. There is no justice for women in this country, including at the level of a law making, which is Parliament of the Republic of SA.
It is against this backdrop that the EFF operates, consistently advancing the cause of women emancipation. Gender equality and women empowerment are on the top of the agenda of
the EFF. And we are committed to making sure that we walk the talk. As the EFF, we have consistently called for municipalities and other government departments to provide opportunities to women led initiatives, because it is these initiatives that leave a lasting legacy in our communities.
The sexual abuse of women and girls remains firmly on the social agenda of the EFF. As we have committed ourselves on the right to live free from the violence which affects one in three women, to equal pay for ... [Inaudible.] ... work, to an equal say in the decisions that affect her life and to the fundamental right to decide if and when we will have children and how many children we will have. For closing the gender gap is a human rights issue and there can be no economic freedom for women to speak of, if this gap still exists.
We are in total objection of Parliament resources used through the Women's Charter Review programme led by the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Ms Sylvia Lucas ... [Interjections.] [Inaudible.]
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas): Order
Chairperson, on a point of order.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: ... undermining, using this machinery to mobilise women.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas):
chairperson, I rise on a point of order
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Yes, a point of order. Let’s hear
it.
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas):
Chairperson, I really want to call a point of order on this specific allegation because I see it is an allegation. All of the members of the EFF and others that have attended that session, can attest to the fact that we are not responsible or we are not having any party politics in the events. Even the DA members that have attended know that it was on a very political manner and hon Mokause is making an allegation without having the necessary evidence that it is a fact. I want to call that order.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: I am sure that hon Mokause would note that if you want to raise an allegation of this kind, there are ways in which this can be done. One of them is a substantive motion which enables a member to detail the
issues, therefore afford other members an opportunity to debate the matter. Let’s note what has been raised and ask hon Mokause to proceed. An indeed, if she wants to pursue the matter in a manner indicated. Let her pursue the matter as indicated. Thank you very much.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: Chairperson, having noted what hon Lucas has said, her actions are disgusting, undermining, using a machinery to mobilise women under a banner of the ANC. [Interjections.] [Inaudible.]
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas):
Chairperson, I want to call a point of order.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: An example of the meeting held in the Western Cape where all who attended were in the ANC regalia. [Interjections.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon Lucas!
The DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP (Ms S E Lucas):
Chairperson, once again I want to call an order. We cannot describe to people what to wear in the events of Parliament. I want to call an order, Chairperson. We cannot tell people what
to wear to events of Parliament. If hon Mokause was present, she would have ... [Inaudible.] ... woman. It was African women. And is it because it was African women from the Western Cape. The Western Cape is a DA-led province. How does it happen that because of what people were wearing, according to her, she didn’t see other women that were present there? I am still calling an order and I want you to maintain that order that you have established. [Interjections.]
Ms B T MATHEVULA: You are out of order, hon Lucas. You are out of order. That is a point of debate.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: I appeal, hon members, that if you want to pursue this kind of matter, let’s do it in an orderly manner provided in our Rules. That is the only way in which we can sort it out, where we allow open debate on the said question. So I plead that let us proceed without hon Mokause ... [Inaudible.] ... the point. Please proceed.
Ms M O MOKAUSE: Thank you, Chairperson. In closing, we would like to send an extremely strong message to the ANC - both in Parliament and the NCOP - that these actions are disgusting. We are not going to fold our arms and sit back and watch the
ANC further bankroll their programmes using government resources and parliamentary resources. Thank you, Chairperson.
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon members, lets proceed. Our next speaker is going to be hon E Nkosi. But as I call on hon E Nkosi to take the platform, I will request hon Ngwenya to take over the chairing.
Ms N E NKOSI: Thank you very hon House Chair, greetings to your good self, all protocols observed. Allow me to celebrate and commemorate all women during this Women’s Month, those are with us, who continue the quest for gender equality and freedom. And to all those that we have lost during the struggle and quest for freedom for all.
Throughout the decades, women have made it possible for visible strides towards gender equality. Historically, it is a fact that women’s politically and socioeconomic rights were largely ignored. Gender equality was extremely overlooked.
Women’s role in society were reduced to a domestic one and
lacked any formal recognition.
Undertaking that historical backdrop, we must reflect on the progress of women that South Africa has made since democracy
towards gender equality. Today we celebrate the rights and privileges that women fought so hard to obtain.
As women we have to remind ourselves of the bravery and tactic of the women of 1956 and we draw strength and courage for the socioeconomic challenges that we face today. Politically and in government South Africa has made visible stride in the representation of women. Today it is befitting to extend congratulations to the first woman Deputy Chief Justice, Judge Mandisa Maya.
It must be emphasized that Africa is among the top 10 of countries globally to have successfully implemented reforms to improve women’s legal rights. Being a signatory to the 1995 Beijing Declaration in Sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa is counted amongst countries that has improved gender equality through progressive legislation and representation of women.
House Chair, we amongst countries that showcase a high percentage of women representation on the continent. In the NCOP as we speak, alone women Members of Parliament, MPs have increased from 28% in the Fifth Parliament to 36% in the Sixth Parliament. We hope to see a rise in this number, in the Seventh Parliament.
Higher representation means that more women will be able to articulate and inset women’s issues in fulfilling our transformation agenda. We are determined to ensure that in the eight years remaining to reach the 50/50 target of the gender equality in accordance with Goal Five of the United Nations, Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality and in line with the commitments made at the Fifth World Conference of Women in Beijing, through the Beijing Platform for Action we will achieve the target set.
South Africa has joined the generation equality forum to accelerate the implementation of programmes and projects to reach those goals by 2020.
Hon House Chair, we welcome the ratification of the International Labour Organization, ILO, Convention by our government to ensure the right of everyone to a world of work that is free from violence and harassment, including
gender-based violence and harassment.
Through our oversight as Parliamentarians, we have to ensure that convention does not remain on paper, taking place as we change places of work safer environment. However, despite significant progress made since the dawn of democracy,
research also highlights that women remain marginalised in the mainstream economy and economic opportunities available in the country.
According to statistics, it is said that the South African labour market is more favourable to men than women. And research indicates that men are still more likely to be paid more than women. Although 2021 census indicates that the South African population consists of more women than men. Statistics reveal that there are more men in employment than women and the gender pay gab still persist, causing disparities in the labour market.
These are some of the structural bearers that we have to overcome to transform our economy to be inclusive to principles of gender equity. Government through legislation and regulations is intensifying efforts in mainstreaming women into the formal economy. Building a sustainable tomorrow for women means that our focus is to be geared towards creating sustainable jobs for women and tackle the casualization of jobs, particularly in the private sector, which mainly affect women and youth.
Government has fostered various interventions for the inclusion of women to ensure for gender equitable, socioeconomic transformation.
Last year in October, the President launched the Women Economic Assembly, a partnership between the private sector, civil society and women’s organizations to facilitate the participation of women-owned businesses in core areas of the economy. This initiative emphasizes the participation of women owned-enterprises on the entire value chain to foster sustainable economic development.
The Assembly will further activate, coordinate and monitor government and private sector actions towards the preferential procurement for women-owned businesses. The Women Economic Assembly also seeks to connect and inspired innovations, talk leadership and action, to transform value chain ecosystem as well as to obtain a deep common understanding and detailed articulation of sector ‘specification value chain ecosystem.
This will enable business women to identify entry points and opportunities for sustainable economic participation.
Furthermore, hon House Chair, we must acknowledge progress in the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on
gender-based violence and femicide, particularly pillar five which calls for the need to create more economic opportunities for women who are vulnerable to abuse due to poverty, unemployment and social inequality.
With regards to women-owned businesses and public procurement, the African Union ... [Inaudible.] ... Agenda 2063 calls for an allocation of at least 25%. Government has agreed that 40% of public procurement is to be availed to women. The Women Economic Assembly is the vehicle utilised to unlock this public procurement opportunity for women-owned businesses across sectoral value chains.
To outline some of progress, the Assembly has developed a strategy to roll out the structure to provinces to ensure that women-owned businesses benefit from preferential procurement processes in all spheres of government. And create access to market in the private sector.
It will hold the second Women Economic Assembly in October 2022. Unlocking market access through preferential procurement has a direct multiplier effect to economic growth and increased access to income.
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has partnered with the World Bank in collaboration with SA Revenue Service, Sars, to release a report on women and trade facilitation in South Africa. The findings of the report highlight the challenges that women in business face with regards to export. The report shows how mainstreaming of gender into matters of custom processes and export procedures can significantly reduce the bearers, women continue to face in trade.
South Africa is the most unequal country in the world in response the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has put forward that there should not be any mega project in the country which excludes women, youth and persons with disabilities in its inception.
Hon House Chair, during March and April 2022 responding to the Eastern Seaboard Development programme, the department in partnership with the Minister for the Department of
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, CoGTA, hosted two Izimbizos in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to facilitate access to information for women, youth and persons with disabilities to enable their participation in the development.
In March 2022, an exhibition space at the Africa Energy Indaba held in Cape Town, provided women the energy sector space with the opportunity to exhibit their work. Providing exposure of their work a big business in the energy sector throughout the continent.
The department continues with dialogues across the country, that focus on renewal energy, financial inclusion and best practice models on the empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities.
In response to ANC policy, the department is collaborating with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and other departments towards mainstreaming women, youth and persons with disabilities into the African Continental Free Trade Area and the development of the African Union Protocol on Women and Trade to facilitate their participation in cross border trading.
This month is about the achievement of women and celebrating women’s achievement across all disciplines. In Women’s Month we need to congratulate our Women’s National Soccer Team, Banyana Banyana in their momentous achievement by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. We also welcome the intention
by the Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, that the female soccer team be paid equally to their male soccer counterparts.
This is the noteworthy occasion in the history of women’s football and we believe that all the sporting disciplines should follow suit.
Eradicating the gender pay party gab is one of biggest challenges that we still have to overcome. We believe in equal pay for equal work of equal value. We have to deal with the gender pay party gab, especially in the private sector and we should monitor the compliance to prescript if we are truly to eradicate gender pay inequality.
In conclusion House Chairperson, we have a responsibility as the Multiparty Women’s Caucus in Parliament to seriously undertake our agreed project at the start of the Sixth Parliament in 2019, we comprehensively engaged in what needs to be taken and the foresight of the discussions is even more relevant today. We identified the national gender machinery, gender responsive planning, 50% gender party and gender-based violence and femicide as some of the key issues that needed to be tackled.
Today we need to ask ourselves how far are we with what we set out to do? And what is the impact of our work, in particular the one that caucuses the great violation of our dignity and who are we, gender-based violence?
House Chairperson, I would to say that in this Council, we are not going to be told by Mokause as the ANC as to what we must say. Thank you very much.
IsiZulu:
Malibongwe!
Ms F MAZIBUKO (Gauteng): Thank you very much, hon House Chair. Let me acknowledge the Chairperson of the NCOP, the Deputy Chairperson, hon Lucas, the hon Minister, Mme Maite Nkoana- Mashabane, the Chief Whip, hon S J Mohai, hon Members of the Council and you, hon Chairperson, as you are chairing this session. Good afternoon to the hon members and yourself.
Yesterday, 9 August, women from all walks of life in Gauteng marched from Church Square to the Union Buildings in commemoration of the women’s march of 1956.
They presented a memorandum to the Premier, David Makhura, a demand highlighting the plight women are faced with in this
gender unequal society we live in. The women call for government to be proactive in fighting gender-based violence and femicide, GBVF, and invest extra effort in changing the behaviour of perpetrators to prevent the incidences of GBVF. On 6 August, as the Gauteng Province, we also launched our Women’s Month calendar of events, under the theme: Socioeconomic Rights, Empowerment and Resilience.
The 2022 Women’s Month activities will be celebrated in line with what the national legislature has also identified, and our focus will mainly be on socioeconomic empowerment in the present, as well as the future. Therefore, the focus is to sharp focus the women’s rights, empowerment and pursuit of equality through the month of August. As I have indicated, hon Chair, we are working in line with the theme: Socioeconomic Rights, Empowerment and Resilience. There is a wide range of Gauteng programmes, with special attention to the needs of the women. Priority has been given to promoting women access to economic opportunities.
We will also be able to achieve this through our plans in the Growing Gauteng Together, GGT, 2030. Our roadmap to 2030 depends on the implementation in the more focused and targeted manner. Its delivery methodology is underpinned by the ethos
of activist caring, ethical government that works with, and within the community. Women’s Economic Levels, participation, representation, ownership, management, control, as well as issues of the unpaid care economy, needs to be brought to the fore and be dealt with, rigorously.
Through the equal pay for equal work value campaign, for example, quite a lot of members have also mentioned the issue of Banyana Banyana vis-à-vis Bafana Bafana, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, and an end to sexual harassment, including in the workplace; eradication of all forms of violence against women and children and the girl child, and the focus on the prevention of gender-based violence and femicide; continue building ongoing programmes across government and other key partners, based on key priorities such as the financial inclusion of women and target of 40% minimum government procurement spend, benefitting women and increasing access to market and trade. This will result in achieving gender equality and women empowerment.
Key government departments will also have ongoing programmes to also increase women access to opportunities for entrepreneurship development, small, medium and micro enterprises, SMMEs, and Corporatives, and to continue ongoing
work on gender responsive on budgeting with the Provincial Treasury, towards a model for gender responsive budgeting across the planning and budgeting cycle in the province.
Moving forward, we will be concentrating on building back, so that women become resilient against these negative impacts, and can withstand natural, biological and man-made disasters that they face.
It is further critical to continue focusing on socioeconomic factors that impact their lives and livelihoods, and aggressively pursue socioeconomic empowerment measures for a better life for all the women and girls in the province. Thus, the pursuance of a sustainable programmatic approach for Women’s Month is premised on ongoing endeavours towards women’s socioeconomic rights, women empowerment and advancement, dealing with the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, and heightened communication of the interrelatedness of such programmes to the services available for women across the different sectors. Hence the approach for commemorating of our Women’s Month as one of those programmatic approach, where ongoing programmes and interventions should be built and promoted beyond August.
House Chair, building safer communities remains the central goal of the Sixth Administration. This is an integral priority that is in line with our Growing Gauteng Together, GGT, 2030 plan, and it is the strategic executive guiding document to fast track the province’s path to prosperity through urgent, consistent and impact-based outcome. The safety and security
of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual, LGBTQIA+, community, women, people with
disabilities, the elderly and children, are also a priority. The strengthening of safety, social cohesion and food security
remains key focus for the vulnerable communities in Gauteng, and with greater collaboration, we can make greater strides.
The gender-based violence and femicide pandemic speaks directly to the 4th priority of Gauteng’s seven priorities, namely, safety, social cohesion and food security. The Gauteng Provincial Government recognises the need for strengthening effective GBVF prevention and mitigation programmes. This includes initiatives that highlight the role of local communities in the renew, repeal and change of harmful, cultural practices which are perpetuating gender-based violence and femicide. Forging of strong partnership between government, civil society and private sector, in responding to
the socioeconomic impacts of these social ills, and the ongoing efforts we are embarking on.
The unacceptably high levels of GBVF in Gauteng, are a plight on our national conscience and betrayal of our constitutional order for so many fought for, and which so many gave their lives for. The rate of crime, especially in our province, has reached a crisis point. It is therefore my belief that, everyone must be involved in partnership with the police, in order to arrest the scourge and build the community-police relations. Just weeks ago, hon House Chair, eight women were actually gang raped by illegal miners, known as Zama-Zamas in Krugersdorp. Krugersdorp is not in Johannesburg, hon Minister, and the latest series of attacks in Gauteng has brought GBVF pandemic into the national spotlight. The harrowing ordeal has left many women feeling helpless, and the community of Krugersdorp reeling with shock and anger.
As part of the policing fraternity and criminal justice system, we must use all suitable weapons to prevent and fight crime in our respective communities. This requires a new citizenry, citizenry and community that is patriotic enough to care, not only about themselves, but also their neighbours and their communities. We do not have the luxury of the passive
citizenry when women are brutalised and killed at such an alarming rate. As the Gauteng Government, we welcome the progress so far, since the arrest of the perpetrators and the link of some of the men to this horrendous act through their DNAs.
The GBVF robs women and children daily of their constitutional rights, and condemns them to a large of perpetual fear, and statistics that we forever hear about, have become horrendous. This is the scourge that affects all of us, young and old, black and white, rich, poor, queer and heterosexual, rural and urban, and it pervades every sphere of our society. The Gauteng Provincial Government recognises the need for strengthening of effective prevention and mitigation programmes of GBVF, and this includes initiatives that will highlight the role of the District Development Model, DDM, which have ensured work at word-based level. The adopted strategic plan on gender-based violence which was adopted had six pillars, and equally, as the Gauteng Provincial Government, in line with that, we have also developed and made sure that we respond to that, by developing our own Gauteng Emergency Response Action Plan, GERAP, which has five pillars.
Amongst them, it is the urgency to respond to victims and survivors of GBVF, broadening access to justice for survivors, changing social norms and behaviour through high-level awareness raising and prevention campaign, strengthening existing architecture and promoting accountability and the creation of a more economic opportunities for women who are vulnerable to abuse because of poverty. The province has since developed also its plan in responding to that, taking to account that as Gauteng, we have been having stations that always feature very highly within the national crime statistics that are always announced by the Minister.
This multi-sectoral coordination is essential in ensuring collaboration across different spheres of government and across different sectors of society based on relations of mutual benefit and trust, to give effect to the integrated plan that we have as the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Through the GBVF Programme, which is one of those that we have developed in ensuring that we have men and women who do door to door, in identifying victims and survivors, and those that actually need help. It has become common view that communities openly partake in supporting victims and their families during court appearances.
This signals the message that Gauteng is building a new narrative where state, civil society and citizens collectively carries the fight against GBVF. These interventions, hon House Chair, in supporting the rights of women, youth, senior people, and people living with disabilities, will ensure that as the Gauteng, we have all the role-players participating. In closing, the interventions highlighted above must be supported by efforts of building a gender equal society for them to be sustainable and to result in the end of gender-based violence. We are called upon to do more to create a society that is free from patriarchy and gender inequality.
Afrikaans:
Dankie.
IsiZulu:
Ngiyabonga.
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nk W Ngwenya): Siyabonga Mhlonishwa Faith Mazibuko, Lungu Lesigungu Esiphezulu Lezokuphepha Komphakathi.
Ms M A MOKABA-PHUKWANA (Limpopo): Chairperson, the hon Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, hon Minister and Members of Executive Council,
MECs present, hon Chief Whip, hon permanent delegates and special delegates, the Secretary of the National Council of Provinces, good afternoon.
Gender equality today means more sustainable tomorrow for all. The implication of not providing women with equal voices, choices and opportunities affects not just their lives but the future of the country and the world.
Efforts to promote inclusive sustainable development and fight poverty are inseparately linked.
The urgency in engaging with women in the pressing threats that poverty, leadership, education and socioeconomic issues pose, today recognises that we cannot leave this problem for future generation to address.
If all these issues are left unchecked, it could wipe out all the gains of recent decades which started back in 1956 when women marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the legislation aimed at tightening the apartheid government’s control over the movement of black women in urban areas.
This year’s theme for Women’s Day is: Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.
Recognising the contribution of women and girls around the country and the world who are leading the charge on the inclusion of women and response to building a more sustainable future for all.
Women are amongst those most vulnerable to the impact of unsustainable practices and socioeconomic issues because they often have no independent income, not included in decision- making structures and, in most cases, their rights are supressed.
In our country, for example, women are entirely responsible for the provision of food for their families. When the usual sources of these resources are disrupted, women are forced to travel further and spend more time working for less return.
Women are, in fact, at the heart of the household as nexus of food and energy across the country and thus often know first- hand about the challenges and potential solution in these areas.
We also recognise the important contribution of women as decision makers, stakeholders, educators, caregivers and experts across sectors and that their commitment, energy and capability across all levels will lead us to successful long term solution to our socioeconomic challenges.
We support effort in our programmes that promotes sustainable development in management and climate change adaptation by leveraging women’s innovation and expertise that has the potential to transform lives and livelihoods.
Women often help improve their position within the community, leading to better representation of their interests and more decision-making power over their own livelihood.
But what we see every day is women being prevented from participating in decision-making and policy development. They are also provided only limited access to natural resources.
With women’s voices largely absence in government structures, we need to develop innovative strategies that increases engagement of diverse group of women through stakeholders, consultation and dialogues about critical natural resources management issues.
Addressing women’s empowerment and advancing gender equality can lead to more environmentally-friendly decision-making both at the household and national level. All this will help in addressing various levels of power that can reflect more inclusive participation of women.
More inclusive engagement of women in the fight against their oppression means a better, more inclusive future for all. This is because we believe that women’s voice should be heard loudly. It’s time to seize this opportunity for a just and equitable future for all.
In closing, hon Chair, let us roll our sleeves and get to work for a future that celebrates and honour all the women of our land. I thank you.
Ms B MOILOA (North West): Hon Chairperson of National Council of Provinces, hon members in the platform, my colleagues, MECs from different provinces, representatives of all political parties that are here.
First and foremost, let me express my profound thanks to the Chairperson of National Council of Provinces for allowing me this opportunity to participate in the National Women’s Day
debate that is being held today under the theme: Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.
We pay tribute to the generation of women whose selfless sacrifices laid down a firm foundation for the construction of a democratic, nonracial, nonsexist, united and prosperous society based on justice, equality and the rule of law.
Women’s Month reminds us how far we have come as a nation and pinpoints the journey that we still have to travel to attain total liberation of women from the shackles of poverty, unemployment, inequality and gender-based violence.
We appreciate the role that women played and continue to play in our society to this very day and age. Without any shadow of doubt, women made immense contribution in the struggle for freedom.
In 1956, more than twenty thousand women from all walks of life staged the largest demonstrations in this country’s history and was underpinned by the adoption of the Women’s Charter of 1954.
Quoting from its preamble, the Women’s Charter reads in part:
As women, citizens of South Africa, we are here to claim our rights. We want recognition and respect for the work we do in the home, in the workplace and in the community. We claim full and equal participation in the creation of a nonsexist, nonracist democratic society. If democracy and human rights are to be meaningful for women, they must address our historic subordination and oppression. Women must participate in, and shape the nature and form of our democracy.
Their brave action inspired women to take their rightful places in departments, local municipalities, state-owned entities and the civil society. Through their sacrifices, we now live in a country which recognises women as equal citizens, with equal rights and responsibilities.
I am pleased to indicate that the Department of Social Development, which I have an honour to lead as a Member of the Executive Council, have worked hard to attain 50/50 employment of women in senior management positions in the 2021-22 financial year. Currently, the ratio of women in the high echelon of management is higher than men.
Equally important, most of the non-profit organizations, NPOs, which include old age homes, residential facilities, treatment centres and many other facilities that provide social services that we fund as a department are largely owned by women.
We acknowledge that women have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic during various alert levels that we have been through as a country. Most of the women lost their jobs during this period than men. Many businesses were forced to close down. In some households women had to bear the burden of raising children alone after their spouses succumbed to
COVID-19.
To mitigate the impact of the pandemic on women, we have already started to provide the basket of interventions in the form of equipment and stock to women-owned entities and small businesses in the rural areas. This initiative and many others that we employ in the department will make women a central part of building a sustainable tomorrow.
Gender-based violence is so real and it has become a second pandemic with the outbreak of COVID-19. It continues to affect women and children. To this end, we have made it a point that our gender-based violence programme runs for 365 days in
partnership with all government departments, NPOs and state- owned entities in the North West province and the department is leading the programme.
This year-long programme is being implemented in the form of awareness campaigns, community dialogues, motorcades and sharing of information through various media platforms.
We have appointed gender-based violence, GBV, combat activists to handle gender-based violence issues across the districts.
We have forged partnerships with Banna ba kae, Banna buang and Men for real organizations that fall within the men’s sector to reach out to men and boys. These forums create a space for men and boys to talk freely about gender-based violence and take part in protecting women and girls in their communities.
Furthermore, we have partnered with 22 non-profit organizations to provide services to the victims of gender- based violence.
Survivors of gender-based violence have access to support and services, including the GBV hotline, shelters and centres providing support to victims of sexual violence.
Much still needs to be done to eradicate gender-based violence. As a nation we must move beyond shock and horror every time a woman or child is raped or killed. We must all take concrete actions to ensure safer families and safer communities.
Chairperson, we can no longer turn a blind eye to the cries of help from the most vulnerable in our midst. The culture of grandstanding and paying lip service while women’s rights are grossly violated must come to an abrupt end. We must encourage members of our communities to report all cases of assault, abuse and harassment. We must not normalize harassment of women, children and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, LGBQT, community.
It is the responsibility of all South Africans to end the culture of silence among gender-based violence and report perpetrators to the police. All of us, whether in our communities or in our homes, must do all we can to promote and protect the rights of women and children.
In conclusion, hon Chair and Members, the onus is upon all of us that are part of this debate to demonstrate our concern on
the scourge of abuse and be exemplary in our communities through our deeds and speeches.
We are a resilient nation and I strongly believe that we will always triumph over the challenges that we face today in pursuit of a better life for women in our country.
Setswana:
Sedikwa ke ntja-pedi ga se thata.
English:
Working together, we can build better and safer communities. I thank you.
Mr N M HADEBE: Hon. Chairperson, today we pay reverence to the brave South African women of 1956 who stood up against an unjust system, and in doing so, amplified their voices and the voices of future generations. Sixty-six years later, I find myself wondering how those brave women would feel if they looked at the circumstances that South African women are living in at present. Would they see a South Africa in which women have an equal footing with men in each of society’s building blocks, or would they see a South Africa in which women are still being marginalised? Unfortunately, after 66
years, the latter still rings true. Gender-based violence against women at the hands of men, and a labour market favouring men, evident in the gender pay gap, is just two examples of how gender inequality manifests in our country.
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has announced that this year’s Women’s Day theme is titled, Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience. This leads me to question what improved resilience mean for South African women. In the first three months of this year alone, at least
10 818 cases of rape were reported, which is an increase of 13,7% over the same period in 2021. In Gauteng alone, the number of reported offences for the first three months of this year was totalled at 2 921, of which 2 267 were reported rape cases. Our country also boasts of various pieces of legislation aimed at combatting gender discrimination in the workplace, yet, we have a stagnant median gender pay gap of between 23% and 35%.
So, allow me to ask, why are we placing the burden of improved resilience on women? South African women continue living their lives despite the possibility of becoming yet another gender- based violence statistic and story, they continue studying and
working despite knowing they might earn less than their male counterparts. It is my argument that South African women, those in our past as well as those yet to be born, already have an indescribable amount of resilience, as their existence and circumstances have always been dependent on their ability to survive in one of the most dangerous countries for women.
The IFP commits to addressing the violence, degradation and humiliations women constantly find themselves exposed to.
Therefore, as stated in our 10-point plan outlined in our manifesto, we propose that communities are made safer by strengthening law enforcement. We recommend that well- resourced community policing forums are established and that we roll out additional specialised law enforcement units to boost capacity. As stated in our policy on issues related to women, we propose that police and healthcare workers receive further intensive training to deal appropriately and compassionately with victims of violence. We also propose the establishment of safe houses, which are accessible to all women, regardless of economic circumstances, so that first- time victims do not become entrapped in a pattern of abuse.
We urge that women are afforded equal access to the necessary resources and facilities. Let us take up the responsibility of
serving, protecting and honouring our women. Let us show those brave women of 1956 that their courageous efforts were not in vain. Let us never forget the guiding principle of ubuntu. I thank you.
Afrikaans:
Mnr S F Du TOIT: Agb Voorsitter, die VF Plus is op rekord dat ons glo dat daar gelyke geleenthede in alle opsigte en op alle vlakke aan alle Suid-Afrikaners gebied moet word. Ons partystrukture is ’n sprekende voorbeeld van vroue wat op meriete, poste en posies beklee en kundiges is op die gebiede waar hul hul rol vertolk.
English:
Currently, race-based and gender equality legislation contributes, to a great extent, to further inequality and divide, advancing poverty and hunger. One may ask, why? The answer is quite simple. By implementing race-based and similar so-called quota legislation, qualifying candidates are in many instances labelled as quota-appointments. This reduces them to mere trophies of ideology, casting a cloud of doubt over their abilities and qualification. It is also depriving their spouses from decent and fair employment.
Afrikaans:
Ek is trots op ons vroueleiers, wat natuurlik, sonder kwota of voorspraak, diep spore in die warm Afrikagrond trap, vroue wat geanker in God, standvastig gebly het, ten spyte van die moord, dood, aanslae en swaarkry waardeur hul daagliks beur.
Ek is trots op vroue soos Susanna Cilliers Smit, ’n voortrekker vrou, wat aan ’n Engelse offisier gesê het dat die voortrekkers eerder kaalvoet oor die Drakensberge sal stap, as om weer verkneg te word. Ek is trots op gewone vroue wat daagliks, ten spyte van die wetteloosheid in die land, aanhou en stry.
Tydens die onthulling van die Nasionale Vrouemonument in Bloemfontein, op 16 Desember 1913, het President M T Steyn gesê dat die monument nie opgerig word as ’n teken van haat of ewigdurige verwyt nie, maar eerder om liefde te bevorder en te vergewe. Vroue, ons waardeer julle!
Tans ontneem wetgewing soveel mans en vroue om op gelyke basis in diens geneem te word, wat meer druk op vroue in huishoudings plaas. Moeders wat tradisioneel die rol van vertrooster en opvoeder vertolk het, moet nou, weens wetgewing, daardie voorregte op sy skuif en sloof en skraap,
om honger mondjies te voed, en haar tyd en aandag verdeel, net om te oorleef. Die beroepsvrou moet nou nog harder werk om kop bo water te hou.
English:
The topic of this debate is Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow. How ironic! Government’s inability and lack of urgency to ensure the safety of families, result in some instances, in women being forced to portray the role of mother and father, provider and caretaker. Is this fair? How can we look forward to a sustainable tomorrow, when so many can’t make it through a day?
Afrikaans:
Soveel moeders en vroue wurg letterlik deur die trauma van plaasaanvalle, om te oorleef. Lafhartige en bloedorstige aanvallers probeer hierdie vroue fisies en emosioneel breek en hul mans en kinders aanrand en of vermoor. Maar die regering stel nie ’n spesiale eenheid aan om dit te voorkom nie.
Ek haal my hoed af vir elke vrou, elke moeder wat hierdie hel oorleef het en steeds voortgaan met die boerdery, haar passie, haar werk, steeds moeder bly, bastion, veilige hawe vir haar kinders, bron van liefde, kennis en ontferming,
Dankie aan al die vroue wat vandag, al word daar deur wetgewing op grond van ras, teen jou en jou gesin gediskrimmineer, dat jul steeds nie moed opgee nie.
Dankie aan al die vroue wat met die bietjie wat hul het, verseker dat hul kinders, hul gesin, versorg is en nie moed verloor nie, wat steeds hul kinders bemoedig en laat glo dat hul wel hul volle potensiaal in die lewe kan en sal bereik.
Vroue het oor die jare heen bewys dat hul nie gereduseer kan word nie. Tydens die Groot trek, die verskroeide aarde beleid, die Groot Depressie en steeds vandag was en is vroue die motiveerders.
Die regering moet daarteen waak om vroue as swak en ondergeskik uit te beeld. Ons het soveel invloedryke voue in ons samelewing, wat daartoe bygedra om ’n toekoms vir ’n volk te skep.
Jy, vrou wat met jou sagte hande, tog raak vat, wat met jou stralende blik vol liefde, ook blitsend kan kyk, jy wat met met jou regop postuur, altyd ondersteunend is, maar ook gesag afdwing, jy wat met arms oopgesprei, verwelkom, vertroos en
ook kasty, jy God-geskape vrou, toonbeeld van hoop, die VF Plus erken jou!
Ms L L NTSHALINTSHALI (Mpumalanga): Hon Chair, greetings to the Chairperson of the NCOP, Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Whip, members of the National Council of Provinces, all our delegates present here, Minister, Deputy Minister and fellow South Africans, today we debate this important matter after celebrating the Women’s Month on 09 August. Hon members, gender equality is not a nice to have or achieve matter. On 10 December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Human Rights Declaration which made gender equality part of the international human rights laws. In that regard the UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres further made an observation in one of the conversations that achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time and the greatest human challenge in the world. It is amongst others against this backdrop that gender equity is not only perceived as a human right, but as an indispensable and a profound necessity for the basis of the prosperous, peaceful and just world.
The Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender equality, states to achieve gender equality and to empower all women and girls.
But the key question is, how far have we gone to address the aspirations of Goal 5? Women and girls represent half of the world’s population. So, in this term of human resource capital availability it shows that not affirming women and girls that half of the world human potential is unused negatively affects sustainable development. The later indicates as some observations that empowering women will spare production and economic growth.
In terms of the UN Commentaries, on average women in the labour markets earn 20% less than men globally. The world-wide 35% of women have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence on nonpartner sexual violence. It would be fair to say some progress has been made to this end. However, this progress could be expedited by ending all forms of gender-based violence and consciously having systems and processes that would ensure that women are given access to all levels of management and control in leadership positions of decision-making particularly in the private sector. Stark disparities are persistent and glaring in political but importantly in economic realism.
The key question of today is, is it a common course that gender inequality is the function of patriarchy? Is it so? And
it is so. Shall women of today entrust men with the responsibility of championing gender equity realisation? Hon Chair, I beg to differ and I call on for a drastic review implementing agency such as establishing a gender equity and salary disparity commission headed by women. Such commission should be empowered to intervene in all sectors of the economy to ensure our own means of production in employment sectors, women are controlling leadership position and other levels and that they earn equal pay amongst themselves and male peers.
In this regard I would like to share with you one interesting event on women in Africa. In 1935 the Italian fascists decided to invade Ethiopia. As the war loomed Emperor Haile Selassie ordered that elder sons be given rifles to gear up for the war. A particular family did not have a son but a girl by the name of Getty. Getty’s father had already arranged a marriage for her against her will. Getty’s father called Getty’s husband and gave him a riffle to represent the family at the war. Getty was young and not yet staying with the so-called husband. She went to court and challenged it and fought for her rights. Those rights were restored. It tells you that we are not winning the issue of gender equity and women empowerment hence we are making this example.
We need to make sure that we are not apologetic on this noble trajectory but robust and focus measuring achievements through the set out targets.
Structural societal programmes driven by women are indispensable to educate all the sundry on the question of gender-based violence and sexual assault. It is my contention that this can be incorporated in the life skills sessions from early childhood development centres, intensified at primary schools, leading to high schools and even at tertiary education institutions and including churches. Traditional leadership should also be seized with this programme and be monitored closer by the Social Development departments.
Gender equity mainstreaming in employment and all levels of business of value chain across different industries is indispensable. That is all processes and systems labour absorbing business offering should consist particularly expected targeted of women. Skilling of women in entrepreneurship should also be mainstreamed with measured targets of all sectors in the industry.
Poverty and inequality will remain stubborn particularly referring to the rural women who got to contend with the
harshest living conditioning in our country. It will be daunting to penetrate the sector of women to make their condition liveable.
Hon members, be what it may, let’s derive solace, courage and
hope from the words of Lenin when he says, and I quote:
We are marching in a compact group along a precipitous and difficult path, firmly holding each other by the hand. We are surrounded on all sides by enemies, and we have to advance almost constantly under their fire. We have combined, by a freely adopted decision, for the purpose of fighting the enemy, and not of retreating into the neighbouring marsh.
Let’s continue fighting for the safety of our women. I thank
you.
Cllr F MABOA-BOLTMAN (Salga): Hon Chairperson, hon Deputy Chairperson, hon Minister, hon House Chairperson: Committees & Oversight, hon House Chairperson: Members Support & IR, hon Chairpersons of Committees, hon Whips, hon MECs from different provinces, hon permanent delegates, hon special delegates, Secretary of Parliament, Secretary of the NCOP, warm greetings
from Salga. I just want to give the little background. I am not going to add much because it will take more of my time and say hon Chairperson that it gives me great pleasure to address the NCOP on this women’s day debate under the theme: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” As we commemorate the 66th year since the Women’s march – a lot of people who spoke here earlier indicated the march to the buildings - and I want to salute all the women, some of them are late and some of them are still alive. Mama Sophia, we have seen her talking some days ago, and I want to say ...
IsiZulu:
... wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo.
English:
The struggles of women went beyond repression with pass laws, as the triple oppression challenges of race, class, and gender frustrated women. We remain indebted to them, those women who fought for what we are today and where we are, it is because of what they have started. Many women still face the triple challenges of race, class, and gender with additional poverty, inequality as most of the people spoke here indicated, but not leaving out the issue of unemployment.
As women today gender inequality continues to be a problem. They’ve indicated most of them in terms of workplaces, income, social standing and religion as well. Maybe we have to look into that. The struggle against apartheid was used as a platform by women to struggle against gender injustices and further define the gender struggle. South Africa is signatory to several international and regional instruments on gender equality. These instruments also place a duty on the state to undertake progressive measures to realise the provisions contained in each of them. I will talk to them later.
I just want to say, as Salga, we launched the Women Commission in 2010 with the purpose of ensuring that gender mainstreaming and women’s issues receive adequate attention at local government level in policy and practice, of course. There has been a noted commitment to implementing measures that would bring change into these challenges. Article 4 of the Salga Constitution commits organised local government to promote the interests of women in local government through the 50/50 campaign. All Salga governance structures are constitutionally bound to comply with 50/50 representation in leadership.
The core mandate of the Salga Women’s Commission, SWC, as Mam
Lucas has indicated earlier, is to co-ordinate, promote and
advocate for gender appropriate strategies and practices within member municipalities and feed into regional and continental processes. We do this as we oversee, through the multiparty women’s caucuses in municipalities. The formulation and implementation of policies that will result in gender responsive planning and budgeting, reflecting in our integrated planning and development plans, IDPs we make sure that in the Caucuses they deal in terms of that and the mainstream issues of the women there.
This has been an area of weakness over time due to lack of seriousness unfortunately by women themselves. I don’t know what happens, but it does go as it’s supposed to be. The strategic objective is to increase the representation and participation of women in local government to parity. The Municipal Structures Act, 117, of 1998, item 11(3), provides that: Every party or councillor must seek to ensure that 50% of the candidates on the candidates list are women and that women and men candidates are evenly distributed through the list. How do we work with the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC, to enforce this legislative provision? We have noticed that the advocacy work on this has not been effective and we need a new approach to work with the
Electoral Commission. Hoping other parties will also get into that.
The 2021 local government elections show that the more registered people are women, and we have seen it. It was standing at 55%, but the outcome of the 2021 elections is that 63% of councillors who won seats in the 2021 local government elections were males compared to the 37% women. This is a reversal, ladies and gentlemen. Leadership and hon members, the reversal of 41% women representation from 2016 local government elections and I do not think we need to allow that to continue like that. Political parties are responsible to ensure gender parity in their list processes, but very few are committed to this.
Salga has developed a Municipal Sustainability Unit to support local government in climate change response and environmental sustainability. Women in leadership, as the most negatively affected population by these factors are essential to drive the desired change. Efforts to empower women are what will ensure a sustainable future. We are committed to strengthen gender machinery and need to have women at the helm.
From the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 66 in March this year, the concept of Municipal Feminism was discussed. The United Cities and Local Governments, UCLG, had developed a discussion document and that document is termed: Towards a global feminist municipal movement - Key contributions of the local and regional governments constituency to the generation equality forum. Hon members, this seeks to promote “creating communities that co-operate in a network to defend the commons and fight against social inequalities.” Apologies I just missed my ...
The SWC will be discussing this concept in our Conference that will be taking place if not late this month. It will be early in September.
Chairperson, in conclusion, my last few points will be sparked by what I have read in the magazine, the magazine from the Coffee Industry. In that magazine the topic says it has been a scary and unprecedented time in the coffee industry. I’m just making an example of what I read and will indicate what I thought of it. It says communities have been in lockdown in an attempt to halt the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. Never before had a human consciousness been so collectively concentrated on a single force. Business people sat down
together and had to make a calculation on an unforeseen enemy and say what is it that this virus is bringing. Chairperson, now we celebrate Women’s Day yearly. It is not a tick in the box, but we learn a lot in terms of development of women and how empowered we are. But as indicated ... [Interjections.] We still have to look at the issues ... We need to look at whatever decisions that we have taken before.
I noted the United Nations Convention on ending all discrimination against women that is CEDAW in 1979, the Beijing Platform for Action as mentioned by others here and tried to indicate on some issues that are indicated there. The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development that was in 2008, the worldwide declaration women local government that was adopted. As I conclude, I just want to say let us all be willing to collaborate and use new methods to get into a stage of reaching equity and I want to say ...
IsiZulu:
... makhosikazi ...
Sesotho:
... bomme bohle ...
English:
... let’s remain hopeful, be able to create synergy and spark innovative ideas that will assist us to get to where we want to. But as indicated by the magazine, let Makhosikazi be in support of the Commission. That was proposed to let us put government, as the state and look at women issues. Thank you.
Ms W F KAIZER-PHILANDER (Western Cape): Thank you very much, hon Chairperson. With South Africa having celebrated Women’s Day, it allows us to pause and to reflect on the immense contributions women have made to our communities and society as a whole. At the same time, it allows to show how much we still have to do to ensure that there can be true gender equality in our country. This requires a whole of society approach in order to tackle where civil society, public and private sectors work together to realise that transformation that we need. However, progress has been slow particularly with municipal space in South Africa. While municipalities in the Western Cape adopted the 2007 gender policy framework for local government, the draft national gender policy framework for local government 2015 to 2020 was never formally approved at the national level. The purpose of this was to help guide local government develop their own policies and action plans in this regard.
Chairperson, in the Western Cape we continue the fight where we share a common vision with the Commission for Gender Equality, which is to institutionalise gender equality through gender mainstreaming programming within municipalities as well as engaging with the provincial Integrated Development Plan, IDP, forums to integrate its actions into the Integrated Development Plan. On a provincial level our government is also pursuing these efforts.
The department of the premier issued a circular that all annual performance plans, APPs, in the current financial year reflects gender priorities in the budgets. These priorities would include feedback mechanism so that feedback can be provided for improvements.
Hon Chairperson, despite these our province has already make immense progress to make sure we have gender equality in our lifetime. We know one of the best way is to empower women through economic opportunities.
For the first three quarters of the 2021-22 financial year women own companies benefited from the Western Cape Provincial Department procurement processes as 556 beneficiaries’
suppliers were at least 51% black women into the value of R949,47 million.
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is position as a key driver of inclusive economic growth and transformation. We see this in the response from the Western Cape Government regarding its various strategic objectives so that gender transformation is further advance through industrialisation projects such as the Early Childhood Development, ECD, Practitioners Development Programme, the women truck driver training programme for unemployed women supported by the Atlantis Special Economic Zone Company, the business communication courses offers to SMMEs, financial management training which was offered to 60 participants of which 50% were women. The Atlantis Special Economic Zone companies training and enterprise development work also possesses programmes aimed to furthering women in their careers. The office employed 23 staff members where 65% of them are women. Additionally, of the five interns working there three of them are females in the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Economic Zone has been focussed on, including communities in various programmes such as contractor development where specialised contractor capabilities are enhanced, enterprise and supply development, training and
skills development. All these are strongly centred on empowering women in the contractor development and enterprise and supply development programmes after 2 550 training opportunities created. Since the start of programme around 60% have gone to women showing how successful this can benefit to women.
Hon Chairperson, we know that the land is a very important issue in South Africa and plays a role in everyone socioeconomic wellbeing even though the Department of Agriculture is not mandated for land acquisitions it still thus propose a settlement support.
During the 2021-22 financial year the total beneficiaries were
1 890, 33% were women. For this financial year, this representation has been increased to 54% of the total approved business plans. This equate to a total investment of
R107 million and involves 45 businesses. Through Lima grant support vulnerable citizens are supported through the food security initiatives at household and community levels in the 2020-21 financial year, 58% of the beneficiaries were women. Our department also helps train more and more women in this regard through the agricultural education and training programme provide formal and non-formal education is provided
to all interested parties such as the B degree in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, a Diploma in Agriculture a learnership programme and non-formal short courses. These programmes successfully saw 66 females’ students and that was 34% of the students received various qualifications at the graduation ceremony. It also awarded bursaries to 36 females students of which 42% of the students’ ratio and monthly stipend to 10 students, 59% of the students for workplace integrated learning as part of the studies towards the Diploma in Agriculture.
Hon Chairperson, this year 174 of the students, a 31% registered for the new academic year across all training programmes where female students with non-formal short courses also including 1 545 females’ students which equate to 42%.
On a social level which is as equal as providing economic opportunities to women the Department of Health facilitate women and youth empowerment through a range of initiatives like bursaries, learnship and internship, including post- graduate opportunities, mentoring, coaching and skills development with a focus on empowering women even more.
Hon Chairperson, the department also works with civil society on issues of gender and women with disabilities. For example, human trafficking, SAPS and Professional Academic Staff Development, PASD, where there is victim empowerment programme and gender justice and LGBTIQ+ forum, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, assisted with various information and awareness raising sessions. For example, gender-based violence through mosaik, the Desmond Tutu Foundation, gender dynamics and triangle. The LGBTIQ+ partnership has been maintained and it has been strengthened.
Hon Chairperson, since these interventions are a mere fraction of what the Western Cape does. It really shows how serious we are about ensuring gender equality across departments as well as enabling the environment for local municipalities to do the same. This is what committed DA-run government does to ensure a sustainable tomorrow. I thank you, Chairperson.
Ms N BLOEM (Northern Cape): Hon Chairperson, hon members and hon Minister, Women's Day marks the anniversary of the great women’s march of 1956, where women marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the carrying of pass books.
Decades later, women and girls continue to fight for their human rights, safety and wellbeing on a daily basis.
Many women have recently questioned what’s the point in celebrating Women’s Month in South Africa, when women continue to live in fear for their lives in this country. We are attacked in our homes, in our workplace, on the street and in our cars, we are not safe anywhere. South African women are not safe anywhere in this country. Our mother’s, daughters, friends and girl children are raped, on average 100 rapes per day and killed once every three hours. It is true, there is a war against women in this country and the South African government across the board has lost the battle.
The theme for this debate is “gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, that implies equal access to, and equal distribution of resources between women and men, but how do we begin to speak about gender equality when the women in this country are raped and butchered every single day. Investing and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in this country.
In 1956, our black parents marched to the union buildings for equal rights; the truth is women in this country have never achieved equal rights. The harsh reality is that women and especially black women remain at the bottom of the hierarchy
of power, as the most marginalized and the most inclined to poverty.
Gender equality is crucial to protecting human rights, maintaining equality and protecting the rule of law. Gender equality also means equal rights for people of all genders and includes equal opportunities, equal visibility and equal empowerment when participating in all spheres of life, whether it be public or private. However, the women in South Africa will never reach this level of equal opportunity while we are being butchered, slaughtered and diminished to nothing in this country.
Men will continue to have the preferential advantage of employment, status in society, job opportunities and wealth, while women will continue to struggle for equal opportunities if government continues to dismiss the severity of the daily lived reality of women in South Africa.
The financial responsibilities of women have dramatically increased recently. There is an increase in single-mother headed households. Statistics in 2011 showed 48% of fathers are absent, in 2020 that statistics increased to nearly 70%. Women are at greater risk of food insecurity, more women are
unemployed and women have limited access to land and housing, and in return this all impacts access to basic services such as health and education, which means that women suffer more health related illnesses and battle to remain in education.
The recognition and commitment to gender equality, within the judiciary and without, will not change if the very foundation of gender inequality is rooted in economic inequality. The bigotry within the judiciary has to be challenged; it is rooted in patriarchal culture regardless of race.
The issue of women’s financial insecurity also needs further
debate and needs to be addressed on a number of platforms. When structural, social and economic inequalities receive limited attention as is the case in South Africa, opportunities for discrimination and abuse against women will continue to increase.
What this country need is a functional state where basic human rights are respected and women and children are protected. A state where financial abuse is recognised as a vital part of gender-based violence so that social restoration and development of women are given a chance. If this government was serious about transformation and addressing historic
inequalities, we would have seen real change in the past 28 years of democracy and the fight against poverty, especially amongst women would be a matter of national importance.
The financial abuse of women and children is a silent but devastating form of gender-based violence perpetuating the cycle of deprivation and poverty, it cannot continue to be ignored.
Eight young women were brutally attacked and gang raped while shooting a music video in a Krugersdorp mine dump, let’s face it, we have lost the battle against gender based violence, women are not safe anywhere, and Bheki Cele cannot protect us!
The patriarchal system is embedded in our society and women must also do introspection, we must also ask ourselves how we are raising our boy children. But this is also about affluent men, who are also emotionally abusing women ... men who are sugar daddies, abusing young vulnerable women for their own sick pleasures.
Government should support civil society on the ground; look at safe houses, programmes to empower women, and women
entrepreneurship, this is where our money needs to go, not the
government officials’ pockets.”
But instead of being a month of celebration, hon Chairperson, Women’s Month is a month of mourning in South Africa. It is a month in which we mourn the many murders that is a clear indication that simple justice eludes us, equal opportunity evades us and the protection of human rights is non-existent.
We mourn, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights.
Hon Chairperson, we mourn the lives of those who remind us that we have yet to achieve the full realisation of the rights of women. The rights to dignity, to safety and to economic freedom remains but a democratic dream for far too many of us.
If we want to see the rocks of our society prosper, we need to ensure that women’s rights are fully protected. To quote the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.”
Now do we ensure that women enjoy the full menu of rights instead of crumbs in a society debilitated by sexual violence, economic inequality, gender discrimination and abuse?
To address the constant threat of sexual violence and domestic abuse, we need more Sexual Offence Courts and Thuthuzela Care Centres which are properly funded with a sufficient number of adequately trained staff. We need better training of police officers and sufficient funding of SA Police Service, SAPS, particularly of the units investigating domestic abuse and sexual violence. We need more social workers.
To address economic inequality, we need a social security network that is capable of protecting the poor. Remember, it is poverty, which Gandhi described as the worst form of violence.
We need policies and programmes which establishes an environment that is conducive towards the sustainable creation of decent jobs. We need a supportive environment where businesses want to invest, grow and hire more people.
If we want to ensure gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow, we need a government that is serious about
protecting its women and girls. We need a revolution, an uprising, because the women of this country have had enough! I thank you, Chairperson.
Ms D C CHRISTIANS: Hon House Chairperson, hon members and hon Minister, Women's Day marks the anniversary of the great women’s march of 1956, where women marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the carrying of pass books.
Decades later, women and girls continue to fight for their human rights, safety and wellbeing on a daily basis.
Many women have recently questioned: What’s the point in celebrating women’s month in South Africa, when women continue to live in fear for their lives in this country. Minister Bheki Cele, who is supposed to protect us says that it is lucky to be raped by one person only.
We are attacked in our homes, in our workplace, on the street and in our cars. We are not safe anymore! Our mothers, daughters, friends and girl children are raped, on average 100 rapes per day and killed once every six hours. It is true, there is a war against women in this country and the South African Government across the board has lost the battle.
The theme for this debate is, “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. That implies equal access to and equal distribution of resources between women and men. But, how do we begin to speak about gender equality when the women in this country are raped and butchered every single day.
In 1956, our black parents marched to the union buildings for equal rights. The truth is that, in this country, we have never achieved equal rights. The harsh reality is that women, and especially black women, remain at the bottom of the hierarchy of power, as the most marginalised and the most inclined to poverty.
Gender equality is crucial to protecting human rights, maintaining equality and protecting the rule of law. Gender equality also means equal rights for people of all genders, and includes equal opportunities, equal visibility and equal empowerment when participating in all spheres of life.
However, the women in South Africa will never reach this level of equal opportunity while we are being butchered, slaughtered and diminished to nothing in this country.
Men will continue to have the preferential advantage of employment, status in society, job opportunities and wealth,
while women will continue to struggle for equal opportunities if government continues to dismiss the severity of the daily lived reality of women in South Africa.
The financial responsibilities of women have dramatically increased recently. There is an increase in single mother- headed households. Statistics, in 2011, showed 48% of fathers are absent. In 2020, that statistics increased to nearly 70%: Women are at greater risk of food insecurity; more women are unemployed; and women have limited access to land and housing.
In return, this all impacts on access to basic services such as health and education, which means that women suffer more health-related illnesses and battle to remain in education. The recognition and commitment to gender equality, within the judiciary and without, will not change if the very foundation of gender inequality is rooted in economic inequality. The bigotry within the judiciary has to be challenged.
The issue of women’s financial insecurity also needs further
debate and needs to be addressed on a number of platforms. When such inequalities receive limited attention, as is the case in South Africa, opportunities for discrimination and abuse against women will continue to increase. Financial abuse
should be recognised as a vital part of gender-based violence, so that social restoration and development of women are given a chance.
If this government was serious about transformation and addressing historic inequalities, we would have seen real change in the past 28 years of democracy, and the fight against poverty, especially amongst women would be a matter of national importance. The financial abuse of women and children is a subtle but appalling form of gender-based violence, perpetuating the cycle of deprivation and poverty. It cannot continue to be ignored.
Eight young women were brutally attacked and gang raped while shooting a music video in a Krugersdorp mine dump. Let’s face it: We have lost the battle against gender-based violence.
Women are not safe anywhere, and Bheki Cele cannot protect us because he thinks being raped only once is lucky!
The patriarchal system is embedded in our society and women must also do introspection. We must also ask ourselves: How we are raising our boy children? But, this is also about affluent men, who are also emotionally abusing women; men who are sugar
daddies, abusing young vulnerable women for their own sick pleasures.
Government should support civil society on the ground to look at safe houses, programmes to empower women and women entrepreneurship. This is where our money need to go - not the government officials’ pockets!
Instead of being a month of celebration, hon Chairperson, women’s month is a month of mourning in South Africa. It is a month in which we mourn the many murders. This is a clear indication that simple justice eludes us, equal opportunity evades us and the protection of human rights is nonexistent.
We mourn, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights. Hon House Chairperson, we mourn the lives of those who remind us that we have yet to achieve the full realisation of the rights of women. The rights to dignity, to safety and to economic freedom remains but a democratic dream for far too many of us.
To quote the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, he says:
I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.
We want the full menu, House Chairperson. We will no longer stand by and watch our mothers, sister and girl-children being slaughtered by thugs. How do we ensure that women enjoy the full menu of rights instead of crumbs in a society debilitated by sexual violence, economic inequality, gender discrimination and abuse?
To address the constant threat of sexual violence and domestic abuse, we need more Sexual Offence Courts and Thuthuzela Care Centres which are properly funded with a sufficient number of adequately trained staff. We need better training of police officers and sufficient funding of the SA Police Service, SAPS, particularly of the units investigating domestic abuse and sexual violence. We need more social workers! We need men to stop their fathers, brothers and friends from brutalising us!
To address economic inequality, we need a social security network that is capable of protecting the poor. Remember, it is poverty, which Gandhi described as the worst form of
violence. We need policies and programmes which establish an environment that is conducive towards the sustainable creation of decent jobs. We need a supportive environment where businesses want to invest, grow and hire more people.
If we want to ensure gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow, we need a government that is serious about protecting its women and girls. We need a revolution - an uprising - because the women of this country have had enough! I thank you, House Chairperson.
Ms M N GILLION: Hon House Chairperson, I would like to greet the Minister, members of the executive council, MECs, permanent delegates, the South African Local Government Association, Salga, the Chief Whip of the Council, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, I would like to pay condolences to the family of my dear comrade Jesse Duarte, a revolutionary of the struggle who champions the rights of disadvantaged women. Her heroic role as a gender activist ... [Inaudible.] ...
She believed in the idea and vision of a non-sexist and democratic South Africa, and spoke out on the need for women to occupy the highest echelons of our leadership structures, a
progressive internationalist, a fierce fighter for justice, a leader who detested bigotry ... [Inaudible.] ...
... Sorry, House Chair, can I switch off my video because my network is unstable?
THE HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Okay.
Ms M N GILLION: Thank you, House Chairperson. As we are in a month of August, the women of 1956, who paved the way for the emancipation of women and freedom for all in South Africa, we are confronted with the reality that many women today are not enjoying the freedom of movement because they feel unsafe.
Today, the movements of women are no longer restricted by laws, and thanks to the 1994 democratic breakthrough. However, the source of gender-based violence and fermicides, GBVF, are making our country to be one of the most unsafe places for women to live in. The raping, beating, killing and harassment are a daily occurrence. The GBVF is a pandemic which contributes to women’s insecurity and marginalization.
The ANC National Policy Conference in July took place when yet another horrific incident of gender-based violence took place in Krugerdorp with sadly points to the ongoing brutalization
of women and children. In the policy conference we said that persons found guilty of GBVF and rape as well as child abuse should never be allowed to become ANC members. Laws have been passed to ensure that women are protected but the onslaught against them continues.
The arrest and convictions are a drop in the ocean. As many GBVF incidents are not reported. Our Constitution speaks of gender equality and prohibits discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. However, many women are yet to experience this equality because patriarch still exists.
Legislation has been put in place to ensure equality in the workplace, but we still experience gender pay gaps. The GBVF is a societal problem. It can never rest under police, government or the victims alone to solve it. It requires every fibre of society to be intolerant of toxic ex and behaviours from all in society.
We continuously encourage the struggle for women’s emancipation through the empowerment of women and the vulnerable. We consistently promote the rights of the vulnerable women, youth and persons with disabilities. We carry with us the understanding that there is no freedom
without the liberation of women and vulnerable groups in society.
House Chairperson, every year we have to pay condolences to families that have lost their daughters, mothers, sisters, or children. As South Africans, we cannot allow such behaviours and dreadful ex to form part of our culture. Globally, we are known to be one of the most dangerous countries for women to live in.
We have to re-assess our values and re-align our moral compass as a country. This means being recommitted to build a society where women’s rights are ... [Inaudible.] ... human rights where women are treated equally by all, not just the law and enjoy the rights to freedom like their male counterparts.
Government has put into law progressive legislation that protect the rights of women and the vulnerable, such as the three Gender-Based Violence Bills. As a society, we have to recognize and respect the rights of women that have been institutionalized to promote respect, dignity, and tolerance.
The destruction of patriarchy will not only liberate women and other gender identities, but also lead to the building of a
more equitable just and fair society. The approach allows for an intersectional approach that takes us beyond the triple operation model and allows other areas of difference to ensure that in our policy formulation and implementation no one is left behind. Importantly, it places, marginalized groups and human dignity at the centre of all our policies.
As the ANC, we acknowledge that patriarchy also includes a system of toxic behaviours and masculinity, which purport to weight violence against women and children and leads to cases of GBVF. Toxic masculinity and toxic behaviour norms needs to be addressed through society. Meaning that they have to be addressed in schools, families, social spaces by government and communities.
There have to be channels in all social spaces addressing toxic behaviours, - which also means, challenging toxic traditions and cultural norms. We have to remember that people don’t keep a custom or culture, but a culture or custom has to keep its people alive and be progressive.
We acknowledge that government has taken drastic steps in dealing with GBVF, these include initiating programmes and campaigns to combat violence against women and children
adopting the national strategic plan on gender-based violence and establishing the GBVF Response Fund. The fund was launched on the 4th of February 2021, with a commitment of R118 million. This will be used to support various initiatives by government and civil society and includes the extension of the
16 days Campaign of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign to a 365 days campaign. The Development of the Hate Crimes Bill, and other Bills such as the Sexual Offenses and Related Matters Amendment Bill, Domestic Violence Amendment Bill and the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment, Bill as well as to tighten and sentencing laws in GBVF related cases.
These measures are implemented in an attempt to fight the source of GBVF, but government cannot fight GBVF alone. We need a compact of all sectors of society, religious social, civil and private institutions to fight the source, as we are either all directly or indirectly affected by GBVF. For women to have more urgency and these initiatives to be fully effective, we must employ and deploy women into positions of power to allow for gender representation and most importantly, for women to promote the struggle for women through the various empowerment initiatives. We are all called upon to be activists and this promotes an activist Parliament. Done in
the call to address the second pandemic of GBVF and ensure programmes of prevention, response and care.
We call upon the Commission for Gender Equality to continue to advocate for the rights of women and the vulnerable, improving economic resilience and self-reliance through women empowerment programmes. We call upon the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with the private sector and women-owned business empowerment programme, including partnerships with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to expand access to an ownership of land by women. That we see concrete change arising from the women’s financial and economic inclusion strategy.
As part of the G20 Summit held in 2019, South Africa declared a gender equality and women empowerment essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth. South Africa committed itself to also address the gender gap in unpaid care work, which remains a major obstacle to women’s participation in the labour market. All evidence demonstrates that a lack of financial independence of women lead to GBVF. Therefore, initiatives to empower women to be more self- reliant through structured empowerment programmes are critical.
Hon House Chair, as a country, we have committed to take action to improve the quality of women’s employment, reduce gender pay gaps, end all forms of discrimination against women and combat stereotypes, and to recognize women as agents of peace in the prevention and resolution of conflict.
As a country, we have committed to continue support for girls and women’s education, and training, including providing quality, primary and secondary education. Improved access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and raising awareness to eliminate gender stereotypes. In order to close the digital gender gap, we have pledged to continue enhancing girls and women’s access to digital technology with a focus on the needs of those in poverty and rural areas.
We have reaffirmed the importance of taking measures to support skills development, and provide access to funding, to promote women’s entrepreneurship and welcome the continued implementation of the women entrepreneurs, finance initiative in support of women’s entrepreneurs in development countries.
We recognize efforts by the private sector that are taking measures to increase the numbers of women in management and assist in making provision and making gender responsive investments. We welcome the loans of the Private Sector Alliance for the empowerment and progression of women’s economic representation. In as much as gender-based violence, mostly affect women, we must never ignore the fact that men and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, LGBTQIA+, a plus community are too, affected by gender-based violence. Our men are too ashamed and embarrassed to report cases of gender- based violence and often do not receive the same support as women.
If we are to talk about equality in all sectors, we have to also consider gender-based violence against men, equality and allow men the same privileges that women have when it comes to reporting cases of gender-based violence. It cannot be that when a man is abused and reported a case at the police station.
Hon House Chair, the issue of gender-based violence must also include men and men that are abused must also be given the platform to air their views. We must not neglect the boy-child for him to grow up resentful. Many empowerment programmes must deal with way that promote positive masculinity, communication and be a platform where men deal with some of the challenges that they do face. We welcome the adoption of the National strategic plan on gender-based violence and femicide and urge government to fast-track and resource its rolling out so we too, play our role as public representatives to advance this objective. I thank you, Chair.
The MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Thank you very much House Chair. Let me once again thank the Chair of the NCOP, the Deputy Chair, the Chief Whip, and also say how grateful in this very painful period of commemorating and celebrating August month under this condition. I want to take this opportunity to also personally thank you House Chair, the hon Bloem, Nkosi, Mazibuko, Christians, Mokaba-Phukwana and hon Gillion, you did not take sides. You came out to say what do we do about ourselves. All of us have suffered from COVID-19 or we have seen relatives suffering from COVID-19 that we couldn’t pray for to let COVID-19 go and they are gone.
As for gender-based violence and femicide, it is South Africans men who create it but they can work with us. We are welcoming them so that they can work with us to burry patriarchy and gender-based violence and femicide. As from the department that I led, we worked for almost two years with the President after the first council, we are now working on 1 and 2 November National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. We have started slowly with business through an initiative called the Women Economic Assembly, Wecona, which was also started by the president. We are looking forward to the second summit on 1 and 2 November and we are heartened it would have happened after having given a go ahead to form the gender-based violence council.
There is no looking the other way and wishing gender-based violence and femicide or me away. There is no Cele or Maite who will take responsibility of who is going to bed with whom. That’s what I went through and that’s what I saw. The rest is what I had to do. It was my day job. But working together with you and listening to your positive speeches, particularly of positive masculinity, whether it comes with males – but unfortunately it was mainly women, the very people who take care of the victims. We welcome men with positive masculinity.
Yes, lets raise our boy children and girl children and love them equally. Let’s not tell the boy children that it is not okay for a boy to cry. Let us take care of the youth and people with disabilities. Let us not ignore our own who are gender complaint as they are all our own. Let us say we are burying gender-based violence and femicide. Let us say that women will be included in the economy of the country because that is what Mme Charlotte Makgomo Maxeke, Mme MaSisulu and all our heroes and our heroine fought for. They said to us through Mme Getrude Shope that here they are and here is our freedom, but this is political freedom. Make sure that you fight even harder for economic liberation and freedom. It needs all of us. And we will only achieve that if we call.
South Africa is one of the very few countries I know where higher institutions of learning are playing their game the other way, the community is going the other way, and government the other way. If we work together – if that which we research in innovation we come back quickly and work with the communities and we find the communities ready to work with Parliament and with all of us parliamentarians, communities at large and NGOs we will defeat this enemy by tomorrow. Let us celebrate, let us commemorate 9 August, 365 days no more gender-based violence and femicide, and it shall be buried – let’s all say so in our lifetime. I thank you, Chair.
The HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms W Ngwenya): Thank you very much, hon Minister. Hon members, thank you. That concludes the debate. I wish to thank the Ministers, MECs, SA Local Government Association, Salga, representatives, all parliamentarians and special delegates for availing themselves for the debate. Hon members, delegates, that concludes the business of the day.
The Council adjourned at 17:38.
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