Fellow Members We acknowledge the debate as raised by Cde Dibolelo and without favour and fear of any contradictions, we have women who are dialectically assertive on the future of this country. We (I) attended a discussion forum a WITS Great hall hosted by Weekender which posed the question;Is it eleectionering and/or Political Parties mean it about women quota's in their Election Manifesto? Is it empty rhetoric just to woo voters? Firstly;We must indeed acknowledge the democratic processes on the ANC to come up strongy to affirm more Women Comrades to lead the Election List.This depicts that it not just talk but members in various Branches embrace the fact that Women were in the previous regime facing multiple oppression;as citizens,mothers and workers. We saw in the debate fresh and different thinking and ideas coming up and maybe the other reflection should be based on the Feminist factor.WHY of late we see many women proclaiming a feminist view above the Gender Struggles that are fought in Trade Unions,Progressive Organizations;moreover around the Black Diamonds? Many of the attendees of the Women participation raised issues that what will be the role of rural women ,who have equally played an equally important role in the broader struggle for a free South Africa. Are we not charting a narrow path of undermining their role in the broader transformation agenda? Secondly;We (I) have witnessed,maybe it is by its nature unintentional a new tendency by young women to have judgemental aatitude in the public debates as the one at WITS as a case in point.Many of the women were rather negative about the development in the country and said it is useless to have more women in the list as their voice in Parliament is not audible. My point is that maybe we have not profiled the important role women play in Parliament apart from being Speakers of the Parliament;maybe reflect on the output registered by Women Ministers/MEC's/DG's/Mayor's such as Cde Lindiwe Sizulu,Angie Motshekga Naledi Pandor,Nonkonyane,Mashabane,Hogan,Routeledge etc in the provision of services to our people and Good Governance. Our Women Comrades must not negate all these successes registered and begin to attack each other and sometimes justify the unfounded myth and stereo-types that women do not support each other. This must be uprooted in our society. Lastly;Credit must the given where is due and support should be given in areas of limitation.OUR Women comrades in the public debates continues to enrich the public about their spot on comments and articulation of OUR MOVEMENT.There challenge is continuing to encourage Young Workers to join Trade Unions and participate in the daily activities of its existence after completion of their tertiary studies. It is challenges to young workers also to play a role to be prepared to take over when the times dictates as such.How many young people in particular women,continues to be exploited in the Services/Hospitality Sector in Hotels,Restuarants,Casino's all in the name of promoting hospitality in the country by capitalists and their mode of beneficiation? Reporting Early at work and knocking late for poor wages/salaries,which are not enough to even pay their travelling expenses,renting in expensive rooms/aprtments and often exploitive landlords.This must stop and the only enroutes towards that is to built a strong working class consciousness. The ANC LED Government and the Broader Alliance has always advocated that gender struggles should be fought side by side with the broader liberation of the country fueled by the 1955 successful milestones of our country.South Africa is ranked 18th wordwide out of 115 countries in the World Economic Forum's latest Global Gender Report,which measures progess made in naroowing the inequality gap betwwen men and women.We need to triple our efforts and ensure that this positive development is cascaded down to the poor women in the rural areas across the country. Together we will win this war.Together,we can more! Abusers of women should be exposed and accordingly dealt with legally. WA'THINDA BAFASI!!! Mampane Ntai Norman (POPCRU National Educator writing on his personal capacity)
--- On Thu, 3/19/09, Dibolelo Mance <[email protected]> wrote: From: Dibolelo Mance <[email protected]> Subject: [YCLSA Discussion] Young women in politics To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 11:48 AM Comrades Since the resent past, I have observed with kin interest on how the debates have been roving around on this forum. Without necessarily being sexist as many would say, I think it will be correct for me to congratulate our women cadres who have been on media lately, responding on challenges facing young people. In de recent past the Secretary General of the ANCYL, was on media responding to issues affecting the organization broadly and further more ensuring our elections message is received by the public, without dwelling much on the SG, but I think we have invested much in her and she has proved to be a moving custodian and monument of the organization. It is important to give credit where is due. On Tuesday the 17th of March, I listened with keen interest to Cde Magdelene Moonsamy as she correctly without any disappointment articulating the position of our organization to the public. As they were speaking, I thought of our National Acting Chairperson of the YCL- Cde Kholiswa Fihlane, she is one of the comrades who can rise on issues unapologetically. Rising on issues doesn't mean one has to be arrogant but being able to give political direction and leadership to structures. I'm of a view that she is an inspiration to many us in the organization. It is in my view that, we as women in the movement, should take responsibility in insuring that, there is a mentoreship programme for women in the organizations we serve in. Many documents have been produced by many congresses and council but those resolutions and declarations find no expression regarding implementation. Programmes are drafted but they find no existence on the ground. My views is that, as much we would expect men to assist in this programme, we should take the leading role in this regard. This mentor programme, should not be sexist in nature, because our course should deal away with both patriarchy and matriarchy so that, we bring the balance. Our main focus should be on the following: 1. To promote gender awareness among the participants 2. To provide an environment where young people can exchange information about the organization and activities and further more discuss issues of common interest. 3. To motivate and enable participants to share their acquired knowledge and experience. I think we should agree that, there is capacity within the movement. All we need to do is to ensure such potential is nurtured, developed and protected. Dibolelo Mance PEC member of the ANCYL and YCL ( Free State Province) writing on my personal capacity --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
