By REGINALD KANYANE
The North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) is set to establish a Multi-Party Women’s Caucus. This follows the recent Provincial Whips Forum convened by the Chief Whip of the NWPL, Motlalepula Rosho, aimed at dealing with issues impacting women’s leadership across levels of governance.
The forum hosted by Rosho in partnership with the Office of the Speaker, Desbo Mohono under the theme: “Women Leadership Workshop and Emotional Intelligence,” sought to highlight the difficulties women in leadership positions go through and the impact these has on their emotional well-being to advance inclusivity, empowerment and transformation agenda.
“The resolve to constitute the women’s caucus is informed by the ever-evolving political landscape and the collaborative efforts forged by the legislature in handling matters pertaining to women.
“The Caucus’ commitment is to ensure that women’s issues find expression in the programme of the legislature and in government so that there can be a seamless implementation of the programmes affirming the lot of women,” said Rosho.
She further said the key milestones recorded in the 7th legislature among others is that, for the first time, Chief Whip of the House is a woman, opposition parties have women whips and the Chair of Chairs is a woman including some who are Chairpersons of Committees.
Rosho added that speaker-after-speakers, emphasized the unity of action amongst women leaders and the broader society to champion the cause of women and the entire populace.
Meanwhile, the event was graced by notable women such as the former Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature and former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mme Thandi Modise, as well as former Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Pinky Moloi.
They both encourage women to stand together in pursuit of their common programme advancing their interests irrespective, where they come from. The significant dialogue hosted in the month of August, which has a political significance in the history of South Africa’s women struggles, including quest for democracy and freedom, also coincided with the birthday of one the revered stalwarts and struggle icon of the revolution, Mme Gertrude Shope, who turned 99 years.
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