Cape Town’s programme helps young women become strong leaders by teaching them how to prepare for disasters like floods, fires, and droughts. Through handson learning, field trips, and teamwork, these girls gain important skills like first aid and problemsolving. The programme shows them they are powerful agents of change who can protect and improve their communities. By focusing on girls’ leadership, it builds a future where resilience and care guide Cape Town through tough times.
In Cape Town, the EPWP program is giving women important administrative jobs that help them grow skills and confidence. These women handle vital tasks like managing data and ensuring audits run smoothly, proving that their work is key to the city’s success. Through these roles, they not only support city projects but also build leadership, learn new abilities, and open doors to better opportunities. Their dedication turns everyday administration into a powerful path for change and empowerment.
Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi spoke passionately at the Vaal University of Technology about the ongoing fight for gender equality in South Africa. She highlighted both the progress made, like more women in government and courts, and the big challenges still faced, such as unfair jobs, cultural barriers, and high unemployment for Black women. Kubayi reminded everyone that real change needs teamwork and sharing success so no one is left behind. Her message was clear: together, South African women can break old rules and build a fairer future for all.
The women’s empowerment discussion at the Provincial Women’s Dialogue included progress made over the past 30 years and ongoing challenges such as genderbased violence. Minister Maropene Ramokgopa delivered a moving keynote speech, paying homage to the women who paved the way for continuous initiatives to uplift and liberate women. The dialogue served as a call to action for collective efforts towards enhancing women’s empowerment and aligning policies with the National Development Plan. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done, and women’s empowerment is vital for achieving development objectives and generating economic opportunities for everyone in South Africa.
On World Ranger Day 2024, we celebrate the inspiring women rangers who protect Cape Town’s reserves. These conservation champions have received comprehensive training and provide diverse skills to preserve the environment. From Victoria Day, a reserve supervisor at False Bay Nature Reserve, to Vuyokazi Rubushe, a field ranger at Helderberg Nature Reserve, these women’s journeys highlight the importance of offering equal opportunities and embody the pillars of success: passion, dedication, and a commitment to learning.
South Africa’s housing crisis requires a detailed plan of action, as announced on August 26, 2024 by the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements. The plan includes legislative changes for fair housing, amplified communication and collaboration, and empowering women to become property owners. The aim is to confront the challenges specific to the gap market and promote equal access to housing finance, leading to a more equitable South Africa. The successful implementation of this plan will mitigate issues of housing unaffordability and promote spatial transformation for the “missing middle”.
The Carbon Smart Skills Development Programme is an innovative project in Cape Town that empowers jobless women through ecoconscious skills training. The curriculum includes green building concepts, small to mediumsized enterprise development, and soft skills for the workplace. A unique aspect of the program is the use of alien invasive species for environmentally friendly building materials. The initiative equips women with skills to succeed in the growing green economy, benefiting the community as a whole.
The SPAR Women’s Challenge in Cape Town is a road race exclusively for women that promotes women’s health, empowerment, and raises awareness and funds to end genderbased violence. The event offers a 10 km race and a 5 km fun walk/run and is dedicated to improving women’s lives through donations of sanitary pads and supporting abuse survivors. Over 14,000 women are expected to participate in the race, which is more than just a race but a celebration of community spirit and wellbeing.
The City of Cape Town’s Local Tourism Forum focuses on women in the tourism industry, highlighting their valuable contributions and advocating for increased representation in leadership roles. The forum challenges gender stereotypes and sets a benchmark for creating a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable industry. The city’s commitment towards responsible tourism aligns with its dedication to gender parity, and it serves as an excellent example for other cities to follow. Although the path towards complete equality is lengthy, Cape Town’s initiative shows that the ultimate goal is within reach.
Minister Kubayi addressed the International Women’s Day gathering in East London, highlighting the enduring stereotypes and cultural prejudices that impede women’s advancement in sectors traditionally dominated by men. She emphasized the need to invest in women and urged women to become pioneers in the market. Despite progress in women’s rights, Kubayi drew attention to the continuing struggle with gender inequality.
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) has taken a significant step towards empowering women in agriculture by promoting household food gardens. These initiatives spark economic freedom for both farmers and their employees, as evidenced by the success of Nontuthuzelo Mbele from Goso Village in the Alfred Nzo District.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Makhotso Sotyu, urges South Africans to join the global community in commemorating Desertification and Drought Day 2023. This year’s campaign, under the theme “Her Land. Her Rights,” emphasizes the crucial role of women in land restoration and combating desertification.
During his address, Deputy President Mashatile touched upon a range of topics that have been affecting South Africa and its citizens. Apart from acknowledging the devastating impact of the COVID19 pandemic, he also spoke about the government’s efforts to combat it.
Suraya Williams, a gifted seamstress from Cape Town, South Africa, transformed her mourning after her mother’s death into an opportunity to inspire and empower young women in her community. In 2018, she founded the Design26 Foundation to provide skills, jobs, and a more positive outlook on life for young women in Mitchell’s Plain, an area with a high youth unemployment rate of 43.4% in South Africa.
In recent years, South Africa has seen a positive shift in its approach to human settlements, thanks to Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete and the Department of Human Settlements. With the implementation of the innovative District Development Model, various spheres of government have been able to collaborate more effectively, resulting in improved service delivery.
Minister Patricia de Lille recently spoke at the Women in Tourism Breakfast during the Africa Travel Indaba. In her speech, the Minister emphasized the importance of supporting and uplifting women within the tourism sector and acknowledged the challenges faced by women in the industry. She urged them to rise to the occasion, claim their rights and act on them.
