Programme Director
Members of the diplomatic corps
Business leaders
Media representatives
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great pleasure for me to be part of this occasion in commemoration of the Black History Month. It is very exciting that you take time every February to remember the history of African-American people. This is a good opportunity to acknowledge the struggles of African people and to commemorate significant moments in the fight against racism, sexism and other forms of oppression. As it is commonly said, for us to know where we are going, we need to remember where we are coming from.
This is also a great opportunity to honour and celebrate the achievements of black women and men throughout the history of humankind. Our history is rich with stories of courage and great resolve of Africans to withstand injustices and to struggle for freedom. The life of Martin Luther King and 27 year imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and his release on 11 February, 21 years ago are just two of the many stories of determination in the struggle for freedom.
One of the people who embody this history is Charlotte Maxeke, a South African woman who came to study in the United States (US) in 1896. Upon attaining her bachelor science, she went back to South Africa where she was involved in a number of development initiatives aimed at empowering women. She organised and led the Bantu Women’s League which was a forerunner of the ANC Women’s League.
She also worked together within ANC to fight colonialism and oppression of women and Africans. She was the pioneer of the struggle for a non-racial and non-sexists South Africa, inspiring the next generation of women leaders including, Lilian Ngoyi, Dorothy Nyembe, Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Mandela and many others. They were the women who opened the doors for many of us. We salute them for their sacrifice and dedication which was crucial to the success of the struggle for freedom and democracy. Today, we follow on their footstep as the current generation of women leaders. We will work towards the attainment of their vision of a non-sexist and democratic society.
Charlotte Maxeke would have been very excited today that women from all over the world are meeting here to discuss issues of increasing access to education, science and technology - areas that have been dominated by men. This is a historic meeting as it marks the centenary of the International Women’s Day. This day was observed since 8 March 1911, remembering the struggles of women all over the world for a right to vote, for equal rights with men and better working conditions.
Programme Director
South Africa places a lot of emphasis in strengthening the links and partnerships with Africans in the Diaspora. In fact from 21to 22February, our government in collaboration with the African Union (AU) Commission was hosting the African Diaspora Technical Committee of Experts Meeting (TCEM) in Johannesburg. The meeting was attended by high-profile persons and brought together experts from the continent and its Diaspora to commence with the implementation of the African Diaspora roadmap.
Initiatives like the project explorer educational series are important in consolidating that link between people in the African continent and those in the Diaspora. Indeed, technology has made it possible for students in this country to have access to people and places they have never visited through various online services provided by the project explorer.
Coincidentally, the creative use of technology for developmental purpose is the main focus of the meeting that has brought the South African delegation present here to the US. We are attending the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women. This is an annual meeting that reviews global progress in the efforts to improve the status of women. The focus this year is on whether the world has made any advances in increasing access to education and training; science and technology; as well as decent work and employment for women.
As representatives of big corporate entities, you will also need to be conscious of the necessity to address issues of gender equality in your organisations. Various countries in Europe and at the level of the European Union are debating the lack of women representation in management which German Chancellor Angela Merkel described in the Financial Times as a “true scandal”.Whether you support government enforced quotas or voluntary initiatives by each company, the fact is that gender equality is a matter that can no longer be postponed. It is an essential requirement for growth and development.
In conclusion Programme Director, I would like to thank all those involved in the project explorer for coming up with this wonderful initiative. I believe that it will foster cross-cultural understanding. Understanding our painful history of apartheid, South Africa places much value on appreciating diversity. Today we are proud to stand as one nation united in our diversity, celebrating our achievements and working together to advance towards a truly non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
Thank you for your attention
Source: Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities
