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Programme Director
The Executive Mayor of Lejweputswa, Mamiki Qabathe
Members of the Parliament and Legislature present
All Councillors present here
The Representative from Morkels
Women of the Free State

Good Morning Everybody

Our gathering today is indeed embedded in profound and deep sited emotions and memories of the suffering and sacrifices of black women in this country in general and in the Free State in particular. During the course of August and more especially on the 9th of this month our nation will celebrate and commemorate the contribution of women in the struggle for change in our country. This is a period during which we celebrate the progress made towards the improvement of the quality of life of all women. It is therefore imperative that as we launch Women's Month this year we should also reaffirm our commitment to protecting women's rights.

It was in 1913 when women from this very area marched in protest against oppressive laws of the apartheid regime. Under the leadership of, amongst others, Ruth Pululu, women in Winburg were courageous and determined to have their voice heard. Resulting from this action, women in the Free State added their voice and many of them were imprisoned. This campaign withstood the brutal and evil policies of apartheid and culminated in the anti-pass campaign in the Transvaal and later the march by women from across the country to the Union Buildings. This indicates that in deed Winburg is the cradle of the struggle by women for liberation and human rights in this country. It is appropriate therefore that the women's monument was erected here in 1999. This monument symbolises the strength, sacrifice and dedication displayed by women during the days of the liberation struggle. It is also a tribute to those women who through their own intuition acted against the apartheid system.

Women in our province have had to suffer a great deal as a result of the apartheid laws. In 1971 in Excelsior 14 African women were charged along with 5 white men for breaking the infamous Immorality Act though they were forced into this act. Despite being the victims of abuse at the hands of these white men, these women, 12 of whom had children fathered by this very white men, were kept in the dark cells here in Winburg whilst the perpetrators of this evil deed were enjoying brandy and coke in the comfort of their homes and with their families.

It is incidents like these that have to encourage us as women to stand up and fight for our rights. We have to be firm and determined in order to overcome the occurrence of sexual abuse, domestic violence and abuse in general against women.

As we celebrate this month dedicated to the women of our country, we should also acknowledge that much still has to be done in order to achieve the true emancipation of women from the adversities they have endured because of their gender, race and social status. We have to ponder the socio-economic needs of women in our country, more especially those women in rural areas.

It is to those women and their efforts in the struggle against injustice and discrimination that we turn our thoughts this month. Their efforts and actions during that time still serve as a beacon of inspiration to us as we pursue an ideal society that is just, humane and caring. It is to those women and others before them that we owe a profound gratitude.

The advent of political freedom in South Africa was an accomplishment of years of sacrifice and struggle. We soon realised that political freedom was one of the epic chapters in modern history. We all realised that the struggle for social and economic freedom would be most challenging. We became aware how class, race and gender placed women at the bottom end of the development hierarchy.

Colonialism and apartheid policies exhibit most bitter social outcomes and destitution amid plenty for the majority of South Africans, particularly women. Poverty and accompanying social dislocation had profound and traumatic effects on the lives of the disenfranchised. The challenge has been to reverse the legacy of a state machinery that has been set to provide quality services for radically defined privileged minority, while systematically excluding the majority of south Africans from employment, education, health and other basic resources and services.

It is now almost 10 years since the demise of apartheid. 10 years during which our present government has set about reversing the imbalances of the past by putting in place policies and programmes aimed at ensuring development for the benefit of all South Africans. It is encouraging to note that we have made significant progress in our endeavours to bring about social change in our country. Yet more still has to be done with specific reference to women and child abuse.

We have seen drastic measures being taken by government to curb the occurrence of violence against women, and this should be commended. We, however, still need to inculcate amongst our male counterparts a sense of respect and acknowledgement for women in our society.

As the women of the world we have broken the proverbial 'glass ceiling'. However, there is still a long way to go. We cannot relent. The boardrooms in this country are showing the signs of acknowledging the power in women. Currently, there is a 33% representation of women legislatures in this country, I know and everybody knows that we can do better.

In the coming months our province will honour women who have made an impact in the agricultural sector. The Free State Female Farmer of the Year Awards recognises the meaningful contribution made by women in this sector that has for a long time been the domain for men. It is important for us as a society to identify women who distinguish themselves in areas of social development. Last year one of the nominees from the Free State managed to attain runner-up position in the National Female Farmer of the Year Awards, I am confident that this year we will do better.

As we engage in activities to celebrate Women's Month, let us be cognisant of the plight of women across Africa, especially in war torn countries like the DRC, Liberia, Sudan and others. It is these women and their children who are pawns caught in the middle of conflicts precipitated by power struggles.

At this point let us join the millions of other South Africans in congratulating Mrs Connie Mbowane, who was awarded the Women of the Year Award on Thursday. It is women like Mrs Mobowane that should set an example to others for them to contribute meaningfully to the development of our society.

I wish to conclude with profound words of Chief Luthuli when he said "When the women begin to take an active part in the struggle, no power on earth can stop us from achieving freedom in our lifetime

Malibongwe !!!

Issued by Free State Provincial Government

1 August 2003