a press conference
5 March 2009
In the past year, since the suspension of the Commission for CGE CEO, to be
specific, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has had to deal with
malicious rumours and allegations that have no basis. When we launched our five
year strategic plan we acknowledged that the CGE has been dysfunctional for
more than a decade.
Despite defamatory rumours and their potential harm to the institution, the
CGE kept quiet because we respected the processes we have been embarking upon
as the institution. The CGE has seen an unprecedented widespread in the past
three months. We have chosen to focus on the process of organisational turn
around and institution building.
The time has now come to break the silence and address the allegations that
have been levelled against the Chairperson of the CGE, some commissioners and
members of staff. In particular, we note that the allegations have come at a
time when we are strengthening systems and processes in the CGE. Some media
houses have chosen to publish their stories when the CGE chairperson, Ms
Nomboniso Gasa is in New York attending the Commission on the Status of Women
(CSW) Conference is regrettable. We are therefore inviting the media to a press
conference on the 16th of March 2009 where Ms Gasa will be having a frank and
candid discussion on some of the challenges and answer some of these
allegations against her as a person, her colleagues and the institution.
Our Constitution provides for a freedom of expression, it is against this
backdrop that the CGE invites you briefing wherein you will have an opportunity
to ask questions and seek clarity on these issues.
Enquiries: Javu Baloyi
Contact: 011 403 7182
E-mail: Javu@cge.org.za
Issued by: The Commission for Gender Equality
5 March 2009
