By REGINALD KANYANE

African National Congress PEC member and MEC for Culture, Art and Traditional Affairs (CATA) department, Ontlametse Mochware said South Africa has made great headway in the representation of women in politics. 

Mochware said the ruling party and the country at large is ready for the female president.

“South Africa is ready for the woman president. As ANCWL, we are adamant that our presidential hopeful, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will win the upcoming ANC elective Conference in December. Women have made strides in all sectors of society and come incredibly well.

“Women were more oppressed than men during apartheid. We need to apply corrective measures and move forward as a country. Before the arrival of democracy in South Africa back in 1994, there was a mere 2.7% representation of women in parliament. However, things have changed since the ANC was in power,” she said.

Mochware further said leadership positions in politics were previously dominated by men, and women’s entry into the sphere has been included in South Africa’s globally acclaimed narrative of triumph. She added that ANC has a good story to tell as representation of women in political and decision-making positions is visible now.

A 57 year-old politician was born and bred in Ganyesa. She was introduced to politics by her ‘home-girl’, Veronica Keketsi back in 1995.

“I have served the ruling party in different roles thus far. I will also cherish the moment I met Keketsi. We come from the same area (Ganyesa) and she played a pivotal role in bringing that necessary knowledge to us. It was difficult for a woman to participate in politics during apartheid.

“People like Keketsi and the late ANC stalwart, Dr Ruth Mompati changed the political landscape in the region. They were selfless and put people’s needs first. We started to develop faith in the ruling party because of its policies. So, ANC is the only movement that has the interest of the people at heart,” Mochware said.

The former educator said she was intrigued into politics and wanted to represent the impoverished people. Mochware said apartheid system affected many lives as many people especially blacks were subjected to injustices.

“I was an educator for 25 years and also experienced oppression by apartheid government. I decided to quit teaching and join politics in fulltime basis. I was elected as African National Congress Women League (ANCWL) branch chairperson at Vryburg region.

“Vryburg region was merged together with Taung and formed Dr Ruth Mompati region. I became part of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) member. I served the ruling party in various roles including in government. I was deployed as Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality speaker in 2001,” Mochware said.

She became Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality mayor for two terms afterwards. Mochware advocate women empowerment strategy.

“We had a civic organisation called Women’s Coalition back in Ganyesa. However the movement was across the country and I am the one who introduced it in Ganyesa. I was encouraged by the abject poverty and oppression our women were subjected to. I believe that ANC has achieved its mandate to liberate our people from political bondage. However, we are not yet liberated when it comes to economy injustices.

“Our fight now is economic emancipation in our lifetime. The wealth if this country is still in the hands of the minority. The Freedom Charter says people shall share and we will not rest until we achieve that mandate,” Mochware said.

She added that black people should not be spectators when it comes to economy. Mochware also encourage the youth to preserve and support the ruling party.

“We have White Monopoly Capital which exists in South Africa. We cannot be blindfolded and think there is no such. I am currently serving as ANC PEC member and also as PWC member for ANCWL. I have BA Degree in Education and other certificates I obtained while serving as mayor,” she concludes.

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