Chamber Digest Issue 3/2005 July Issue 2
As South African womenfolk celebrate the first decade of their Women's Day (09 August 2005), is it not incumbent that we should take stock and critique their political, economic and social acceleration within the ten-year period ?
Surely, some commentators will regard woman emancipation as illusion when juxtaposed against the perpetual female subjugation that prevail in rural and farm areas eleven years after the advent of democracy in South Africa.
As a matter of fact, the mainstream civil sphere reflects a resounding victory for womankind in real transformation and affirmative action programmes. Our country's effort to integrate women into the mainstream agenda, and the advocacy of women's empowerment should be attributed to no less a person than President Thabo Mbeki. South Africa is on the right track to equal the 1997 SADC Parliamentary Forum resolution to access 10% women representation in the parliamentary legislatures by 2015.
Who dares to forge; the political milestone of 23 June 2005, when Mbeki appointed Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as the historic female Deputy President of South Africa ?
Hailing the appointments of women into executive positions is self-defeating because we need every woman to benefit from political and economic development. A serious challenge is evident when you look at the majority of Black economic empowerment (BEE) equity transactions concluded during the past ten years.
Research (see Business Women's Association 2005 March Report) reveals thait we've either overlooked women, were under-represented or were given a very insignificant role in business. Since its common knowledge that women constitute a strong, dynamic force in our society, it becomes imperative that wc should encourage every woman to contribute meaningfully to the development of SA's economy.
If transformation, BEE and affirmative action principles are aimed at increasing participation and changing the racial mix of the class that owns or controls the economic resources, then South Africa should capacitate women in their multitudes. A case in point is the Trade and industry's draft Codes of Good Practice that aim to address the need for women to benefit from economic transformation by setting specific targets of enterprise ownership.
At this stage, I would argue that total liberation was never premised solely to transform patterns of ownership and the management of the economy only. There is still more that needs to be done to secure and consolidate, in order to celebrate Women's Day as a truly glorious honour, encompassing the dignity of all our women. By now we need to have women champions who lead women's empowerment programmes.
The dilemma and critical challenge facing our country are that opportunities are concentrated on a handful of wellknown, established female entrepreneurs at the expense of the heroines lying in the periphery of our metropole settings. In order to realise a holistic dcvelopment programme, this becomes a critical challenge to our various local government leaderships. Therefore, one argues strongly that a base of women entrepreneurs should be established and BEE- programmes must create a sound Black middle class.
South Africa has reached an era whereby we should be increasing the pool of women in empow erment deals through public-private-community partnerships. These interventions should be crafted with the primary motive of reducing poverty among fellow African women, as opposed to the creation of instant millionaires.
As soon as every woman becomes an active participant in the nation's empowerment agenda, and government funded institutions such as SAWID translate to every woman throughout the country, ten year celebrations of Women's Day will ensure that every woman is better positioned as a significant role player in the country's constitutional development.
Submitted by:
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi
Independent Media Practitioner
Tel: 031 3011088
Cell:0825816323 / 0733421599
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EMPOWER ALL OUR WOMEN CITY PRESS 31 JULY 2005
WHEN South African women celebrate the first decade of their Women's Day on August 9, we should take stock and critique their political, economic and social acceleration in the past 10 years.
Surely, some commentators would regard women emancipation as an illusion when viewed against the perpetual female subjugation that exists in rural areas 11 years after the advent of democracy in South Africa.
As a matter of fact, the mainstream civil sphere reflects a resounding victory for womankind in real transformation and affirmative action programmes.
Our country's efforts to integrate women into the mainstreain agenda and the advocacy of women's empowerment should be attributed to President Thabo Mbeki.
South Africa has so far surpassed the 1997 SADC parliamentary forum resolution to achieve 30% women representation in the legislature by 2005.
Who dares forget the political milestone of June 23 this year when Mbeki appointed Ms Phumzile Miambo-Ngcuka as his deputy?
But hailing the appointments of women into executive positions is self-defeating because we need every women to benefit fully from political and economic development.
A serious challenge is evident when you look at the majority of black economic empowerment (BEE) equity transactions concluded during the past 10 years reveals.
Research (see Business Women's Association March 2005 Report) reveals that women were either overlooked, under-represented or were given a very insignificant role in business.
Since it is common knowledge that women constitute a strong, dynamic force in our society, it becomes imperative that we should encourage every woman to contribute meaningfully to the development of SA's economy.
If transformation, BEE and affirmative action principles were aimed at increasing participation and changing the racial mix of the class that owns or control the economic resources, South Africa should empower women in their multitudes.
A case in point is the trade and industry draft codes of good practice that aim to address the need for women to benefit from economic transformation by setting specific targets for enterprise ownership.
At this stage, I would argue that total liberation was never premised solely to transform patterns of ownership and the management of the economy,
There is still more that needs to be done to celebrate Women's Day as a truly glorious honour encompassing the dignity of all our women.
We need to have women champions who lead women's empowerment programmes.
The dilemma and critical challenge facing our country is that opportunities were confined to a handful of well-known, established female entrepreuners at the expense of the heroines in rural areas.
South Africa should be increasing the pool of women in empowerment deals through public-private-community partnerships.
These interventions should be crafted with the primary motive of reducing poverty among African women as opposed to the creation of instant millionaires.
As soon as every woman becomes a participant in the nation's empowerment agenda, 10-year celebrations of Women's Day would ensure that every woman was better positioned as a significant role player in the country's development.
NKONZWENHLE MQADI
Durban
Friday, July 31, 2009
COULD THIS BE THE FINAL CURTAIN-CALL FOR AMANDIYA?
SUNDAY TRIBUNE, 04 August 2002
THE frank engagement and commitment displayed by members of all I races during the two-day KwaZulu-Natal African-Indian Dialogue over the weekend has finally put to rest all the uproar stemming from Mbongeni Ngema's AmoNdiya song.
The artistic capabilities of the popular anti-apartheid playwright Mhpngeni Ngema have gone beyond any historical perspective of stereotypes in race relations.
Ngema has opened up a melting pot aimed at unqualified reconciliation among races.
The message of Ngema is that our government must not hide its 'head in the sand when, almost a decade after democracy social and economic disparities keep widening.
The song (makes people) question whether the blood shed to defeat the crime against humanity was necessary
With credible participants such as King Goodwill Zwelithini endorsing the sentiments expressed in the song, who can accuse Ngema of fanning interracial fires?
The colonial masters had a grand scheme of setting races against each other, but the song transcends that.
Academics of the high calibre such as Prof Hebert Vilakazi and Dr Saths Cooper articulated that the legacy of the successive oppressive white regimes created a state of mistrust, prejudice and unwarranted hate among racial groupings in this country.
Impediment
While one may not approve of the lyrics of the song, they do not constitute hate speech and an incitement to harm. After this constructive engagement by Idasa. Indians' fears have diminished.
Surely, there's a thin line between freedom of expression and hate speech. In a heterogenous country like ours, does not Ngema exercise calls for various communities to be bilingual?
Was the lack of understanding of the Zulu poetic language not an impediment in analysing the song in our rainbow nation?
Eminent religious leaders such as Bishop Rubin Phillip, Advocate Ash win Trikamjee and prominent business people Mr Vivian Reddy Mr Zenzele Mhlungu and Mr Don Mkhwanazi agree that both Indian and African people need interventions aimed at addressing and improving economic inequalities among themselves.
Having defeated apartheid collectively, business people argue for the formation of partnerships between these groupings. People spend most of their time at their workplaces. These centres must be used to foster and improve relations.
The renowned political analyst Protas Madlala has called upon government to facilitate nation-building initiatives, in terms of creating trading centres that are African-Indian
inclusive.
NKONZO MQADI
Durban
THE frank engagement and commitment displayed by members of all I races during the two-day KwaZulu-Natal African-Indian Dialogue over the weekend has finally put to rest all the uproar stemming from Mbongeni Ngema's AmoNdiya song.
The artistic capabilities of the popular anti-apartheid playwright Mhpngeni Ngema have gone beyond any historical perspective of stereotypes in race relations.
Ngema has opened up a melting pot aimed at unqualified reconciliation among races.
The message of Ngema is that our government must not hide its 'head in the sand when, almost a decade after democracy social and economic disparities keep widening.
The song (makes people) question whether the blood shed to defeat the crime against humanity was necessary
With credible participants such as King Goodwill Zwelithini endorsing the sentiments expressed in the song, who can accuse Ngema of fanning interracial fires?
The colonial masters had a grand scheme of setting races against each other, but the song transcends that.
Academics of the high calibre such as Prof Hebert Vilakazi and Dr Saths Cooper articulated that the legacy of the successive oppressive white regimes created a state of mistrust, prejudice and unwarranted hate among racial groupings in this country.
Impediment
While one may not approve of the lyrics of the song, they do not constitute hate speech and an incitement to harm. After this constructive engagement by Idasa. Indians' fears have diminished.
Surely, there's a thin line between freedom of expression and hate speech. In a heterogenous country like ours, does not Ngema exercise calls for various communities to be bilingual?
Was the lack of understanding of the Zulu poetic language not an impediment in analysing the song in our rainbow nation?
Eminent religious leaders such as Bishop Rubin Phillip, Advocate Ash win Trikamjee and prominent business people Mr Vivian Reddy Mr Zenzele Mhlungu and Mr Don Mkhwanazi agree that both Indian and African people need interventions aimed at addressing and improving economic inequalities among themselves.
Having defeated apartheid collectively, business people argue for the formation of partnerships between these groupings. People spend most of their time at their workplaces. These centres must be used to foster and improve relations.
The renowned political analyst Protas Madlala has called upon government to facilitate nation-building initiatives, in terms of creating trading centres that are African-Indian
inclusive.
NKONZO MQADI
Durban
BUPPIES' DUES OVERDUE
ANALYSIS The Citizen Tuesday, 04 April 2006
ByNKONZWENHlEMQADI
WILL the black business or middle class grow, and have a positive effect on the growth and transformation of the national economy? Is the black business or middle class aligned to the country's transformation mandate?
These are the most frequently asked questions, and the groundswell of disillusionment is brewing among the African masses, as people make this concern our national discourse.
The South African emerging black or middle class and its social responsiveness has left the wider civil society questioning whether or not the black elite's new-found purchasing power is really fuelling a broader consumer boom.
Some observers argue these nouveau-riche or elites, located in the most affluent surburbs, lack the class consciousness to create sustainable investment and empower their communities.
Eminent scholars such as Kwa-Zulu-Natal Premier Sbusiso Ndebele go out of their way to challenge and address the social conscience of the province's more affluent citizens.
"Where are the black business and intelligentsia located in the South African economy, and are they contributing to the much-vaunted S% economic growth and the development of our own communities?", has become Ndebele's daily mantra.
This new phenomenon whereby more and more upwardly mobile black people are getting richer while the majority of their compatriots get left behind is considered as one of the outstanding characteristics of the political, social and economic transformation of the post-1994 era.
And this begs the central question: how do we use this new black economic power to fast-track the gap between the so-called first and second economies.
Figures from a South African Advertising & Research Foundation survey released last year provided a clear picture of the strong growth in the number of blacks in the top LSM (Living Standard Measure) indicating that black people were taking huge strides into the higher categories, wealth-wise.
However, Empowerdex CEO Vuyo Jack criticises the new black buying power because, he argues, it is being spent on consumerism rather than investments.
People are doing what they were previously unable to do -such as going on holidays or buying a nice brand-new car.
"Without a focus on investments the massive spending boom may not be sustainable.
"The real middle class are those with income enabling them to build assets, and this income should also be used to support their extended families," according to Jack.
On the other hand, world-renowned Nigerian-born writer Chika Onyeani has warned the South African black middle class that once they do go into the business arena they should take cognisance of the insidious "spider web" of economic dependence.
Onyeani sounds a warning about the dangers of economic dependency, that could simply perpetuate the formerly one-sided power relations between haves and have-nots, a decade after the advent of democracy
Onyeani sees our BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) deals as a good policy that gives Africans first-hand insight into how multinationals listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange operate.
However, he urges the black middle class to encourage the growth of a manufacturing class -either by providing access to reasonably-priced money or by buying goods and services that have been produced by their own people.
Merrill Lynch economist Nazmeera Moola concurs. He states that "generally, there has been an increase in purchasing power, mostly in the sales of consumer goods, financial services, motor cars and tourism".
Moola, though, adds that it is difficult to pinpoint what does constitute the "black middle class".
Interestingly, an ideological debate about the black middle class in the global economy is proving quite contentious.
Strong arguments are that surely it was a good thing that the aspirant black business or middle class had come out of the so-called second economy and have overcome the hardships that the majority of African people are still confronted with.
A pertinent question is whether this so-called class of elites is socially responsible - whether they will empower their close relatives and friends still trapped in the second economy.
What measures have they put in place, working in partnership with the three tiers of governance, to help their communities gain access to basic services?
And is the black business or middle class able to reconcile the huge disparities so prevalent among South African communities' living standards?
Former Black Management Forum MD Jerry Vilakazi argues that it is high time for the black business or middle class to forget about investing in golf estates
found in the affluent suburbs. They need to start investing back into their communities - those still residing in the townships and rural areas, as he warned during the BMF conference last year.
Our black business or middle class faces a critical, fundamental challenge. It is their responsibility, their social imperative, to reverse capital flow back into the townships and rural areas.
Grassroots communities have been asking whether the black middle class is using its position and influence to advance the transformation objectives of our democracy.
Seen within the context of revisionist sociology, or in the Marxist idiom, the South African black business or middle class lacks the class consciousness and characteristics to become a fully-fledged class in itself.
The pragmatic understanding of the black business or middle class needs to be built on more than just generating income and immediate profit. It should, instead, start building wealth via as-, set classes such as property, manufacturing and securities.
Our black business or middle class has a social duty, the masses argue, to help inculcate entrepreneurial skills to the huge numbers of our unemployed school graduates. And they should also be able to inculcate middle class status to the younger generation.
Simply put, through people development and education programmes our emerging black business or middle class occupying strategic positions should form, shape and influence government policies towards the total economic liberation of the African people. •
This assumes a black middle class exists. Surprisingly, renowned black businessman Stanlib chairman Saki Macozoma denies the existence of this class: stating the social category we call the black middle class in South Africa is a conceptual construct rather than an objective reallty.
"A black bourgeoisie in South Africa", according to Macozoma, "is pure fiction".
□ Mqadi is a Durban-based writer
ByNKONZWENHlEMQADI
WILL the black business or middle class grow, and have a positive effect on the growth and transformation of the national economy? Is the black business or middle class aligned to the country's transformation mandate?
These are the most frequently asked questions, and the groundswell of disillusionment is brewing among the African masses, as people make this concern our national discourse.
The South African emerging black or middle class and its social responsiveness has left the wider civil society questioning whether or not the black elite's new-found purchasing power is really fuelling a broader consumer boom.
Some observers argue these nouveau-riche or elites, located in the most affluent surburbs, lack the class consciousness to create sustainable investment and empower their communities.
Eminent scholars such as Kwa-Zulu-Natal Premier Sbusiso Ndebele go out of their way to challenge and address the social conscience of the province's more affluent citizens.
"Where are the black business and intelligentsia located in the South African economy, and are they contributing to the much-vaunted S% economic growth and the development of our own communities?", has become Ndebele's daily mantra.
This new phenomenon whereby more and more upwardly mobile black people are getting richer while the majority of their compatriots get left behind is considered as one of the outstanding characteristics of the political, social and economic transformation of the post-1994 era.
And this begs the central question: how do we use this new black economic power to fast-track the gap between the so-called first and second economies.
Figures from a South African Advertising & Research Foundation survey released last year provided a clear picture of the strong growth in the number of blacks in the top LSM (Living Standard Measure) indicating that black people were taking huge strides into the higher categories, wealth-wise.
However, Empowerdex CEO Vuyo Jack criticises the new black buying power because, he argues, it is being spent on consumerism rather than investments.
People are doing what they were previously unable to do -such as going on holidays or buying a nice brand-new car.
"Without a focus on investments the massive spending boom may not be sustainable.
"The real middle class are those with income enabling them to build assets, and this income should also be used to support their extended families," according to Jack.
On the other hand, world-renowned Nigerian-born writer Chika Onyeani has warned the South African black middle class that once they do go into the business arena they should take cognisance of the insidious "spider web" of economic dependence.
Onyeani sounds a warning about the dangers of economic dependency, that could simply perpetuate the formerly one-sided power relations between haves and have-nots, a decade after the advent of democracy
Onyeani sees our BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) deals as a good policy that gives Africans first-hand insight into how multinationals listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange operate.
However, he urges the black middle class to encourage the growth of a manufacturing class -either by providing access to reasonably-priced money or by buying goods and services that have been produced by their own people.
Merrill Lynch economist Nazmeera Moola concurs. He states that "generally, there has been an increase in purchasing power, mostly in the sales of consumer goods, financial services, motor cars and tourism".
Moola, though, adds that it is difficult to pinpoint what does constitute the "black middle class".
Interestingly, an ideological debate about the black middle class in the global economy is proving quite contentious.
Strong arguments are that surely it was a good thing that the aspirant black business or middle class had come out of the so-called second economy and have overcome the hardships that the majority of African people are still confronted with.
A pertinent question is whether this so-called class of elites is socially responsible - whether they will empower their close relatives and friends still trapped in the second economy.
What measures have they put in place, working in partnership with the three tiers of governance, to help their communities gain access to basic services?
And is the black business or middle class able to reconcile the huge disparities so prevalent among South African communities' living standards?
Former Black Management Forum MD Jerry Vilakazi argues that it is high time for the black business or middle class to forget about investing in golf estates
found in the affluent suburbs. They need to start investing back into their communities - those still residing in the townships and rural areas, as he warned during the BMF conference last year.
Our black business or middle class faces a critical, fundamental challenge. It is their responsibility, their social imperative, to reverse capital flow back into the townships and rural areas.
Grassroots communities have been asking whether the black middle class is using its position and influence to advance the transformation objectives of our democracy.
Seen within the context of revisionist sociology, or in the Marxist idiom, the South African black business or middle class lacks the class consciousness and characteristics to become a fully-fledged class in itself.
The pragmatic understanding of the black business or middle class needs to be built on more than just generating income and immediate profit. It should, instead, start building wealth via as-, set classes such as property, manufacturing and securities.
Our black business or middle class has a social duty, the masses argue, to help inculcate entrepreneurial skills to the huge numbers of our unemployed school graduates. And they should also be able to inculcate middle class status to the younger generation.
Simply put, through people development and education programmes our emerging black business or middle class occupying strategic positions should form, shape and influence government policies towards the total economic liberation of the African people. •
This assumes a black middle class exists. Surprisingly, renowned black businessman Stanlib chairman Saki Macozoma denies the existence of this class: stating the social category we call the black middle class in South Africa is a conceptual construct rather than an objective reallty.
"A black bourgeoisie in South Africa", according to Macozoma, "is pure fiction".
□ Mqadi is a Durban-based writer
BUSINESS PLEDGE SIGNED BY DURBAN WOMEN
The City of Durban launched a Women Empowerment Programme to raise the profile of women in business to highlight the needs and challenges faced by members of the "fairer sex" in their business operations, said eThekwini Municipality Mayor in Durban today.
This undertaking was contained in the message of support from Mayor Obed Mlaba that was read during the two-day 'eThekwini Women in Business' conference held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
"I implore all the participants to explore all avenues that will fast-track and enhance the opportunities of more and more women to run sound and profitable business enterprises.
We are fully cognisant of the important role women were playing in the SMMEs within the city's bustling economy, hence, we support their growth and sustainability.
We are confident this Women in Business symposium will serve as an excellent platform to profile women in business, create opportunities, provide information on business support, networking, finance and sharing of experiences to aspire and celebrate women success" said Mlaba.
He also called upon eThekwini women to use their business acumen and skills to contribute to the 'Durban Host City' status for the succesful hosting of the FIFA 2010 World Cup soccer finals.
eThekwini Municipality's Head of Business Support and Markets Unit Phillip Sithole said their cluster was fully supportive of women empowerment and gender equity programmes. He also committed, himself, to make every effort to ensure women participation in economic developmental initiatives was achieved within the city of Durban and throughout the municipality.
"This year we're taking the Women in Business programme into another level as we've formed partnership with the corporate sector, and have been joined by ABSA, Productivity SA, SAIBL and Deloite.
In hosting the Women in Business conference on the eve of the Women's Month (August), we aim to celebrate, recognise and empower the heroines who are making it in business despite the challenges posed by the global economic meltdown.
Qhamani Makhosikazi, we honour you, therefore, we inspire you to succeed in your enterprises as we, eThekwini Municipality, celebrate the success of women" noted Sithole.
A Declaration by eThekwini Women in Business was unveiled, and it reads;
"I hereby declare, as a Woman in Business, that I would succeed in all my business ventures and create for myself and others using my experience and skills to reach out to my fellow sisters and aid them to evolve into their true potential through mutual respect, kindness and understanding.
I hereby pledge to continously apply the Spirit of Ubuntu in business".
This undertaking was contained in the message of support from Mayor Obed Mlaba that was read during the two-day 'eThekwini Women in Business' conference held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
"I implore all the participants to explore all avenues that will fast-track and enhance the opportunities of more and more women to run sound and profitable business enterprises.
We are fully cognisant of the important role women were playing in the SMMEs within the city's bustling economy, hence, we support their growth and sustainability.
We are confident this Women in Business symposium will serve as an excellent platform to profile women in business, create opportunities, provide information on business support, networking, finance and sharing of experiences to aspire and celebrate women success" said Mlaba.
He also called upon eThekwini women to use their business acumen and skills to contribute to the 'Durban Host City' status for the succesful hosting of the FIFA 2010 World Cup soccer finals.
eThekwini Municipality's Head of Business Support and Markets Unit Phillip Sithole said their cluster was fully supportive of women empowerment and gender equity programmes. He also committed, himself, to make every effort to ensure women participation in economic developmental initiatives was achieved within the city of Durban and throughout the municipality.
"This year we're taking the Women in Business programme into another level as we've formed partnership with the corporate sector, and have been joined by ABSA, Productivity SA, SAIBL and Deloite.
In hosting the Women in Business conference on the eve of the Women's Month (August), we aim to celebrate, recognise and empower the heroines who are making it in business despite the challenges posed by the global economic meltdown.
Qhamani Makhosikazi, we honour you, therefore, we inspire you to succeed in your enterprises as we, eThekwini Municipality, celebrate the success of women" noted Sithole.
A Declaration by eThekwini Women in Business was unveiled, and it reads;
"I hereby declare, as a Woman in Business, that I would succeed in all my business ventures and create for myself and others using my experience and skills to reach out to my fellow sisters and aid them to evolve into their true potential through mutual respect, kindness and understanding.
I hereby pledge to continously apply the Spirit of Ubuntu in business".
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