May 6, 2004
By Bontle Moeng
WOMEN representing different media organisations, NGOs, the European Union and from the Conference, Workshop and Cultural Initiative Fund joined City of Johannesburg representatives to celebrate "10 years of herstory" by focusing on the challenges that women still face in society.
Hosted by the City of Johannesburg and Genderlinks, an organisaton that deals with various gender issues, the event on 30 April featured displays and sales of books, posters, and research studies on gender-related issues as well as creative work by women. It was also the launch of the Genderlink's bi-monthly gender justice journal, "Amalungelo", with 100 pages of stories and articles by a diverse group of 52 South African women and men, who produced it in less than two months.
Besides the metro police choir, who opened the event with the national anthem, a variety of entertainment was featured at the event at the Metropolitan Centre in Braamfontein. There were plays by the Xing Tring Drama Group, traditional dance by the Young Women's group from a village in Kgomokgomo, North West, songs by the Orange Farm choir, jazz music by Cleo Leshoro and poetry readings by Duduzile Ndlovukazi.
Introducing dignitaries present at the event, Judge Athalia Molokomme of the High Court of Botswana said she was delighted at the increase of women in the decision-making process, especially in the Southern African Development Community region.
Highlighting achievements by women in the last 10 years, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, Johannesburg Council Speaker, said: "Our government has shown confidence in women leadership by appointing four female premiers, 12 female ministers and deputies. This demonstrates a vote of confidence in the competencies and capabilities of women leadership."
She added: "Our last general elections confirmed women as the largest number of voters and strongest voice in favour of fundamental social transformation in our country. No government in South Africa could ever claim to represent the will of the people if it failed to address the central task of the emancipation of women. We have not reached our destination yet, as long as women continue to be raped, battered and murdered."
A four-member panel told of their personal journey to freedom over the past 10 years. Speakers included: Rose Thamae, who works with home-based care-givers; Maleshane Mokoena, the councillor responsible for Development Planning, Transportation and Environment; councillor Sinah Gwebu; and Neo Seseane, human resources officer at the Gauteng Shared Services Centre.
Said Seseane: "Media messages serve as daily reminders that to be female is to be alternative. Lest you forget, electronic and print media bombards you with images of unadorned synthetic female bodies.
"Males are sole proprietors of elaborate buildings who have titles and space for themselves. This same group has monopolised sport both as enterprise and leisure. The capitalist ideology with its principles of a free market economy has yet to produce a female capitalist of note," Seseane added.
Thamae, who established the "Let us grow" project in Orange Farm, gave her testimony: "In 1990 I was diagnosed with HIV. If you are HIV-positive, join a support group that will mobilise you. I have learned all the skills from the support group and I work with 25 other caregivers." The caregivers also take time off by using recycled materials to make objects and beadwork.
Gwebu started a self-help project for disabled people living in Alexandra. "I am proud to say today Telkom operators consists of blind and disabled workers. I am 20 percent disabled. Most people don't know this since they focus on visible disabilities."
Mokoena described 10 years of freedom as "the end of detention without trial". Relating her traumatic prison experiences, she emphasised the contribution that poor women have made to society. "Most of these women educated their children - who are now doctors and lawyers - with the little money that they made each day."
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