Women discuss empowering others

Malibongwe Dialogue participants involved in a table discussion

August 27, 2009 – The delegates at the third Malibongwe Dialogue, hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg today, were asked to share their experiences of empowering women, following presentations by South African Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and the World Bank’s Ruth Kagia.

They were also asked to consider ways to facilitate micro-lending for women.

Some of the outputs of these table discussions were:

• Women need to create networks and reach out to other women to create a unified voice for women.
• Women need to be consulted when government drafts policy.
• Women need to start investing in their own community initiatives and local businesses, to plough resources back into their communities, and to pass their experiences on to other women.
• Dialogue needs to move beyond the urban areas and should include women’s prisons, churches and rural communities.
• More time needs to be dedicated to dialogue and to identifying areas where development should take place.
• Funding and micro-credit should be more accessible to women.
• Foster better education and communication to assist women until they are able to function independently and run sustainable businesses.
• Teaching practices need to be revised and career guidance needs to be made more readily available.
• Criteria or guidelines for those eligible for funding need to be clarified.
• Policy makers need to stay in touch with the reality of ordinary women’s needs.

After the dialogue, the Nelson Mandela Foundation asked participants what they had gained from the event.

Reflections on the third annual Malibongwe Dialogue

“It was informative. I loved the minister’s comments. It was interesting that he wants to call on stakeholders and hopefully there will be better information about what is out there so that women’s issues are dealt with effectively.” – Sibongile Khumalo, singer

“I’m ecstatic! What a wonderful experience – I hope that we go back to other communities and inspire other people. I’m sure everyone here has been inspired to go back and impart this knowledge.”– Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, political activist

“It was an important session. It is extremely encouraging to know the government’s plan for economic empowerment and the involvement of women in that.”– Scholastica Sylvan Kimaryo, former United Nations Development Programme representative in South Africa

“It was a remarkable gathering with remarkable women trying to find ways to uplift and enable other women. I feel sure that a lot of action will eventuate from this.”– Joan Joffe, business woman 

“It was stimulating, it was encouraging to see so many young women speaking up. I am delighted and I hope that we will go to the communities, otherwise we will keep talking to each other.” – Frene Ginwala, former Speaker of Parliament

“It was a great session; the challenge is how to take it to the women in the rural areas. Today we put our titles aside and became equal and that was critical to reviving the spirit of social activism that is slowly dying.” – Nomonde Gongxeka, media executive 

“It was interesting, but one thing the minister didn’t address was that as university students we are not given the skills that the labour market requires.” – Khensane Hlongwane, University of the Witwatersrand student

“It was excellent and informative. The lack of information and the challenges of regular service delivery were acknowledged by the minister and the challenge is now how we turn this around.” – Liezl Oliver, Department of Arts and Culture

“The issues raised by the minister are very important in particular for the development and empowerment of women. Women have ideas but lack the skills and training to implement them. We need to focus on the skills and training.”– Babalwa Ntabeni-Matutu, Department of Higher Education and Training

“For me, the real issue is changing the consciousness. A lot of what was said was about disenfranchisement, not enfranchisement. We need to talk more about how we can be enabling.” – Angela James, Alchemist

“It’s been very interesting, but I don’t see women as a separate entity. I don’t think we are a separate group like dogs, the disabled and children. We shouldn’t be discussing these issues in isolation. The white captains of industry and the black tycoons should be here, too.” – Pearlie Joubert, freelance journalist

“I think there’s a lack of spirituality in our approach [in fighting for the upliftment of women]. We need to find that somehow, and we need to deal with the realities – that we still live in a patriarchal society.” – Tsepiso Makwetla, media personality

“I feel nostalgic being here, because I was at the first one [the 2007 Malibongwe Dialogue]. What I like about this one is the call to action. Dialogue and action need to go hand in hand.” – Shadrack Katuu, doctoral student and past staff member of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

“Fantabulous! I enjoyed it. It inspired me. Despite being 87 I want to go out and do more; Madiba won’t beat me!” – Vesta Smith, political stalwart

“The main thing that I gathered is that we must not let this discussion only be about the women in this room, but about the people from the rural communities, too.” – Tshegofatso Leeuw, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

“What I took from this is that there is more work to be done and that it is up to us to have a positive attitude to make sure we attain our goals. We must believe that it is possible and see the challenge for what it is and have the skill to look beyond the problem.” – Ouma Tema, Bold Mark Enterprise

“I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot and the speakers were fantastic. The questions and answers were out of this world. I feel that it will initiate a change. Taking it back to the community is a great idea.” – Nthabiseng Kekana, private sector

“The process is good. I am not convinced that the programmes will help the poverty situation. People in rural areas are vulnerable and if there is no concrete strategy they will remain in a vulnerable position.” – Tapiwa Nyakabau, Age-in-Action

“Many questions were not answered, however very good points were made. Each individual must create their own change. If you want to make a change, you must do it yourself. It is nice to share each other’s ideas.” – Rose Nightingale, Business Honour

“The morning was very insightful and we learned a lot. We must hear the communities’ thoughts and views and impact the community at home. Policies must be simplified.”– Miriam Mogami, Age-in-Action