Presidential Guest House, delivered by Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe
8 December 2006
In 1994 we as the democratic government set out to fundamentally transform
our country and economy to eradicate the legacy of colonialism and apartheid.
In the past ten years we have made substantial progress in growing our economy,
becoming internationally competitive, incorporating greater numbers of people
of all races into the economy and diversifying our economic base. However, the
transformation of South Africa's economy will not be complete until both
genders have equal participation.
Historically, women in South Africa, particularly black women, have not been
afforded the opportunities of starting and running their own enterprises and
making a full contribution to our country. Even when they have had the courage
to start an enterprise, they still face numerous obstacles and challenges that
are not encountered by their male counterparts.
As a democratic government, we have always understood the constraints faced
by women entrepreneurs; hence, we have actively promoted women in business
through various interventions. The approach adopted by the Department of Trade
and Industry (dti) in the first decade of democracy has been to tackle women
economic empowerment in two ways. The first was the transformation of the
internal structures of the dti by ensuring greater numbers of women employees
in the organisation and greater numbers of women who hold senior management
positions. This also included creating a women and parent friendly working
environment, where all dti officials can deliver to the best of their
abilities. The second was to ensure that the programmes of the dti are more
gender sensitive by way of economically empowering women in business,
particularly entrepreneurs. This included having targeted programmes,
preferential procurement policies, adapting existing government incentives and
providing an enabling environment for all enterprises, including women
entrepreneurs. The results of these support measures have been encouraging. Our
success in transforming the dti internally has had a direct impact on the
successes we have made in women's economic empowerment externally.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would not be telling the truth if I say these
achievements have not been without their challenges. The challenges we have
experienced we see within the broader context of the gender politics that have
dominated South African society. The department is purely a reflection of our
broader society including its various institutions, particularly those dealing
with economic issues. Like many of these institutions, we have had to deal with
a limited understanding of the importance of including women as the main
beneficiaries of our programmers as well as having had limited exposure on how
to approach women empowerment issues. As we ventured into our external
programmes, we came across a higher concentration of women's enterprises at the
lower end of the economic spectrum. The latter has forced us to come up with
creative mechanisms on how support can be provided.
Ladies and gentlemen, the publication we are launching today is about all of
the above. It outlines the interventions including strategies adopted by the
dti in laying a solid agenda of South African (SA) women's economic
empowerment. The journey we are celebrating is "about breaking off the hard
eggshell as part of unleashing the potential of SA women in taking their
rightful place in our economy." Our achievements are the result of the
collective efforts of many other people and organisations who need to be
recognised, as we have done in this report. Important contributions have been
made by other women ministers and deputy ministers, women's development
organisations, chambers of business, strategic partners and funders.
Ladies and gentlemen, a huge part of commemorating and celebrating the last
few days of the 50th anniversary of the Women's March is also about this
report. This ten-year report being launched today is more than just a report.
It is our strategy for reviewing the work we have done, the joys and pains we
have gone through. Its contents highlight the programmes, events and strategies
we have adopted to be where we are today. Whether directly or indirectly, these
have influenced the status of SA women's small and medium enterprises. After
all, the report reflects the process under which we have managed to
successfully create the environment for the existence and operation of your
enterprises. All enterprises represented here today as well as those not
represented have either been shaped by or have shaped what we have become as
the dti. In this way, the South African economy has never been the same since.
Someone once said, "If you are resistant to change, that very change will
change you." A transformed South African economy was inevitable and has
successfully managed to incorporate women. If we work harder, I am convinced
that we women will become major role players in our economy.
Ladies and gentlemen, in celebration of the economic strides made, the dti
pays a special tribute to the likes of Mama Maponya, Mama Albertina Sisulu,
Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela. Through the sacrifices of many others, women's
economic empowerment was born and to some extent realised - the struggle
continues. Fifty years of economic freedom, and black economic empowerment has
paid off for South African women. For all their eagerness, today the dti
honours our very own cadres of entrepreneurship and business. These include the
likes of Ms Gloria Serobe, Ms Salukazi Hlongwane, Ms Wendy Luhabe, Ms Futhi
Mthoba, Ms Wendy Lucas Bull, Ms Joan Joffe, Ms Pam Golding, Ms Danisa Baloyi,
Ms Sonia Sebotsa, Ms Pinkie Moabi, Ms Hixonia Nyasula, Ms Bridgette Radebe, Ms
Maria Ramos, Ms Nicola Newton-King, Dr Anna Mokgokong, Queen Semane Molotlegi,
Ms Thandi Ndlovu. We further salute the likes of Jean Davidson, Ms Yvonne
Chaka-Chaka, Ms Zodwa Mahlangu, Ms Alice Phathudi, Ms Nana Ditodi, Ms Sarah
Masunga, Ms Mboya Msimang, Ms Bulelwa Qupe, Ms Mpumi Ngoqo, Ms Lindiwe Ngcobo,
Ms Lopang Manyama, Ms Sibongile Sambo, Ms Karabo Bahumi, Mama Lulama Jijana, Ms
Xoliswa Daku, Ms Tholakele Hadebe, Mama Agnes Mavuso, Mama Hildergarde
Malindisa, Ms Tembeka Nkamba, Ms Gloria Sekhobela and many others not mentioned
here due to limited time.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would be failing if I did not pay a special tribute
to two special women who have supported us, thus enabling all of us to
celebrate and launch this report. The first is our very own Deputy President Ms
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Mrs Lindiwe Hendricks who's coming to the dti was a
true blessing. To Minister Erwin, it only takes a man of your very uniqueness
to lay a solid foundation for women's empowerment. To both my former
Directors-General (DGs), Dr Rustomjee and Dr Ruiters, it is the courage of men
like you that has brought us to where we are today. To Minister Mpahlwa, Deputy
Minister Davis and the DG Matona, Rome was not built in one day. Much still
needs to be done, united we shall overcome.
I would also like to thank Mr Lionel October who has provided a space for
the Gender and Women's Empowerment Unit to do what they do best. As they say,
there can be one person who has the vision, but it takes more than one to see
that vision through. To Mmabatho, and her team including Refilwe, Martin,
Jessica, Granny, Mampho, Khutso Nana, Shiela, Sylvia, Unathi, Monica
(Nicolette, Bongani and Pamela from Marketing) you are indeed a "Beautiful
Team." As do many of your projects, tonight bears testimony to all your passion
and hard work.
To all our sponsors, Independent Development Corporation (IDC), Creativity,
Mogotsi Shuttle Services, South African Women Entrepreneurs' Network (SAWEN)
Gauteng, Edge to Edge, Mantuba Business Communications, your financial support
will go a long way. To all of you beautiful guests, thank you for honouring us
with your presence.
Thank you.
The Struggle Continues, Malibongwe!!!!!!!
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
8 December 2006
Source: Department of Trade and Industry (http://www.dti.gov.za/)
