Women should unite against unemployment and inequality-Premier Modise

North West Premier, Mme Thandi Modise has urged women to unite in the fight against the new challenges faced by women of today which are poverty, inequality and unemployment.

“Our predecessors who did not stop even when there were harassed and jailed they fought hard without quitting and ultimately the war against apartheid was won.

This war on poverty, inequality and unemployment should be fought hands on without stopping to achieve total economic emancipation of women,” Premier Modise said at the main Provincial Women’s Day Celebration held at Ikageng Stadium on Thursday.

The event which was attended by MEC’s, Mayors, traditional leaders, churches and more than 3 000 members of communities in the province marked the closing of this year’s women’s Month which mainly recognised the role of women in the struggle for a free, non- racial and non- sexist South Africa.

Premier Modise encouraged women of today to resemble true women who played an important role in the fight against apartheid.

She urged them to be inspired by the example set by the countless heroines of the struggle such as Elizabeth Mafikeng, Getrude Shope, Ruth Mompati, Mitta Seperepere, Bertha Mkhize, Lillian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu,Helen Joseph and many more other.

“These women and many others who believed in the possibility of a South Africa based on non-racial, non-sexist, just and democratic ideals, freedom and equality; represent the very essence of being human.

Today as part of the celebrating of women month, we are commemorating the 56thanniversary of the women’s anti-pass march to the Union Buildings and It was on that day when over 20 000 courageous South African women marched to the Union Buildings in protest against apartheid in general and in particular the hated system of pass laws,” she explained.

Premier Modise further honoured Dr. Ruth Segomotso Mompati and also thanked her for the contribution she made in fighting fearlessly for the emancipation of the oppressed people of South Africa.

She emphasised that Mme Mompati is one great women in the North West Province who showed courage, commitment and resilience during apartheid era.

Premier told community members that the constitution of South Africa will continue to protect the rights of women.

“We have passed many laws to free our women and affirm their equal status in our society.

We have enacted policies and programmes at the level of government to give effect to our commitment to gender equality and emaciation,” she highlighted.

MEC for Social Development Women Children and People living with Disabilities, Mosetsanagape Mokomole- Mothibi also mentioned that South Africa will not be at peace as long as many women are still living in high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

"Our democracy is incomplete as long as women are not liberated and are not on an equal footing in our social and cultural spheres of life.

"Our human rights are violated as long as women are living in high levels of poverty unemployment and inequality and also subject to domestic violence and abuse,” she said.

She emphasised that eradicating the legacy of discrimination, inequality and fighting poverty require united contributions of all women.

Nomasonto Magagula, 78, of Veteran Women’s League from Orkney is one of the attendants at the event who encouraged young people to choose good role models that can shape their future.

“Young people of today do not make better decisions about their lives because of the role models that they choose.

It is important especially for young girls to look at the lives that we used to live and learn more from us so that they can became better mothers and wives in the society,” she said.

She also urged young people to go to school so that they can be able to win war against poverty, unemployment and inequality.

“Young women of today must go to school and read because the challenges that they face is not the challenges that we use to face.

The only way they can win the fight against inequality and unemployment is through education” she cited.

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Lesiba Moses Kgwele
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