August is dubbed Women's Month. It affords us an opportunity to celebrate, recognise and acknowledge the pivotal role played by women in the struggle against apartheid.
Interestingly, August is also the month that the ANC Women's League rises from the ashes. After that, it vanishes back into obscurity. Does the league have a programme? If so, why do we hear its voice only in Women's Month?
In South Africa, there are only two women who lead political parties: Zille and the Independent Democrats' Patricia de Lille. Both are at the head of parties that serve minority interests. When are black women, who form the majority, going to lead?
Inkatha Freedom Party chair Zanele Magwaza-Msibi is popular with the party's youth members, who want her to take over from the ageing Mangosuthu Buthelezi. If elected, Magwaza-Msibi will become the first black woman to lead a political party.
But the IFP wants to discipline her for being popular. It is alleged that Buthelezi wants Reverend Musa Zondi to be his successor; and some party members are said to be uncomfortable with the idea of being led by a woman.
Buthelezi's party has postponed its elective conference more than once because leaders fear that a woman might take over the reins. Though it is an internal matter, why are the women of this country so quiet on the matter?
At its next elective conference, will there be a female candidate for ANC presidency? It appears not. Are there no capable female cadres to take the party forward? There must be some.
Our political leadership is not a true reflection of the gender composition of our country.
It's time black women claimed their rightful place to lead.
