South Africa: Women Urged to Work Together

August 10, 2006 - (BuaNews) Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica says women must work together to enjoy the benefits of the country's struggle for freedom. Ms Sonjica was speaking at the Malibongwe Igama lamakhosikazi Women's Conference in Mossel Bay on Thursday.

"What comes to my mind now, is how we ensure that as women, we progressively work together to address all the challenges that hinder women to enjoy the fruits and benefits of the struggle that our great-grandmothers, grandmothers and our mothers fought tirelessly for. "We must use all platforms to raise these issues but most importantly society must continue the dialogue about the liberation of women."

She said it was important for women to understand the strategies and programmes of government so that they could use them to their advantage. "It is high time for us to nail our mast to the sails of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa."

The Department of Minerals and Energy is assisting women who need information about the sector through workshops and information sessions in partnership with its stakeholders. The projects include the Kgabane Training Project, which trains women in jewellery design.

The department has also trained 38 women in business management in partnership with the South African Women in Mining Associations (SAWIMA) and has taken seven women to international business seminars. SAWIMA was formed in 1999 to support women entrepreneurs in the mining industry, with help from the Mining Qualifications Authority.

However, the Minister said that there was still a lot to be done. "We still need to reach out to the poorest, rural women to ensure that we make an impact on poverty and the second economy. We want women to own mines rather than being ordinary partners."

One of the women who has made a name for herself in the mining industry is Bridgette Radebe. She is a major shareholder in the listed African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) mining house and is also chairperson of Harmony Gold. Ms Radebe also runs Mmakau Mining that she started in the North West in the 1980s.

From:http://allafrica.com

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