By: Zethu Gweva
The African National Congress Women’s League in the Buffalo City Metro is on a mission to have more women in key sectors of the South African economy.
According to the Regional Spokesperson of the Dr WB Rubusana Region Task Team, Princess Faku, the dialogues between the Premier of the Eastern Cape Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane is a platform to mobilise for women empowerment and development for participation in all sectors of the South African economy.
“This ANCWL Public Dialogue provides us a platform to strategize on how to best contribute to unlocking “women power” in the world’s most dynamic and consolidated economies that the ANCWL represents. This dynamism comes partly from the “women power” already being harnessed to deliver on the economic miracles this region has produced,” said Faku.
The inputs from the ANC Women’s League to help ensure that they benefit from the programmes implemented by the ANC led government were accepted by Mabuyane.
“Our programmes are focusing on improving investment rate, grow the economy, industrialisation, manufacturing and agriculture in the province.
We have put in place policy instruments like Isiqalo, Local and Regional Economic Development. Government is reviewing the Public Finance Management Act to make sure that it is easy to use it to drive transformation and empowerment,” said Mabuyane.
Chief Financial Officer of the Eastern Cape Liquor Board Andiswa Vikilahle said the government should invest in women to be able to contribute when they get opportunities.
“We dishonour each other, let’s give each other the credit we deserve as women. Let us unite and support each other big-time as women. There is a certain level of thinking we need to elevate eco as individuals and as the province to embrace coexistence and feed off each other. We all have to run to the unknown that is better than what we are experiencing right now,” said Vikilahle.
The former Frere Hospital CEO Rolene Wagner said there was a need for politicians and administrators to work together to drive the development of women and the people in society broadly.
“Politicians and Administrators bring something to the table and if we work together, we can achieve a lot in our province. As senior managers, we are expected to have technical capabilities to do our jobs, have the emotional intelligence to understand how other people feel, have values that reflect inclusivity. Political leaders are elected by the people, have a responsibility to protect human rights, ensure that government programmes meet the needs of our people,” said Dr Wagner.