Deputy Minister Calls for Leadership Transformation

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister, Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, made a clarion call for the endorsement of women in leadership roles during his keynote address at WSU’s Annual Archbishop Makgoba Lecture.

The amaRharhabe Prince remembered, Princess Emma Sandile, who was the first Black woman to receive formal education and own land in South Africa as a result of her literacy. 

Burns-Ncamashe said Princess Emma was able to contribute to the amaQwati people's ownership of land and heritage in Cala through her education and diligence.

“Woman need to tantalize themselves with the catholic taste. This is to know the differences in sciences, finances and laws. This is to have a balanced view of what it means to be a university educated woman,” said the Burns-Ncamashe.

Burns-Ncamashe emphasized that young women development held a special place in his heart and regarded the process as an epitome of natural wealth and power.

“Young women play an important role in society and gone are the days where only boys had the opportunity to attend school. We should not view young woman with the limited capability to cook, clean the house issues but as capable leaders in all spheres of life,” said the Deputy Minister.

He also alluded to a report that revealed a future pipeline blockage when considering that women in middle management have declined by an annual 1% since 2015. The report said women remain less represented in the formal sector job market. Whereas, while women make up 43% of those who receive tertiary education, they only hold 28% of formal sector jobs.

“Women will also have to be at the heart of the post-pandemic build back with better responses at a family, community, national and global levels,” said Burns-Ncamashe.

The Deputy-Minister said it brought him great joy that the Makgoba Trust had distinguished itself as family orientated, with objectives to have a greater social impact by addressing social-economic challenges, and further aims to provide educational opportunities, skills, and entrepreneurial development as well as to promote health awareness.

The Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust lectures holds significant importance within WSU’s legacy, particularly because it serves as a platform for female students to demonstrate their writing prowess on diverse topics pertinent to the economy and leadership in South Africa.

By Sinawo Hermans