By Celani Sikhakhane
Leaders in KwaZulu-Natal are asking for more help for women who want to become political leaders because they can make a big difference in their communities.
This message was shared during a Women’s Month event on Saturday in Hlabisa, a rural area in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Comfort Khumalo, the Mayor of the Big Five Hlabisa Municipality, said supporting women with the skills to lead is important.
“We have smart women in our community, but men often don’t support them in becoming leaders. It’s time for men to focus on their skills, not their gender. We need to remember that educating a woman means educating the nation,” she said.
The event was held in Qunwane, a village where women are usually expected to marry, have children, and take care of the home.
KZN MEC for Agriculture, Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa, encouraged women to turn their farming into businesses.
“We have programmes to help you grow your farming into a business. I will also bring equipment to help you succeed and create markets for your products. You’ve already started with small gardens, and now it’s time to make money for the whole community,” she said.
The women of Qunwane came out in large numbers and thanked the leaders for these new opportunities.
Thandazile Msane said they usually only hear about such opportunities on the radio because their village is so remote.
She added that many women in her community believe their only role is to marry and take care of their husband’s homes.
Pictured above: Rural women from Qunwane village in Hlabisa, in the far north of KZN, celebrated Women’s Month on Saturday.
Source: Supplied
