MEC Jomo Sibiya urged women in senior management to believe in themselves

In a quest for educating and equipping women with information on current issues affecting the society, the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Jomo Sibiya hosted a women in management session at Greyville Racecourse in Durban on 30 August 2021. The well-organized session displayed a united workforce as women in Senior Management from both Human Settlements and Public Works celebrated the day on a high note with glitz and glamour.

In her welcoming remarks, Ms Zintle Pfute, the Acting Deputy Director General: Infrastructure from the KZN Department of Public Works mentioned that the purpose of the session was to discuss issues of gender equality on all spheres of life, healthy lifestyle and mental issues.

The MEC for Human Settlement and Public Works, Mr Jomo Sibiya spoke eloquently about the fact that women have been at the back seat for a very long time. “Majority of you have tested apartheid system, studied under apartheid and transcended to the democratic dispensation. I am challenging you make more women to be like you, develop more women to be even better than you. You shouldn’t be a barometer that other women major themselves on, elevate them to another level, they must be at higher level than you.” MEC said.

He was vocal in reminding women that “There’s no need for you to doubt yourselves, if you don’t take opportunities – others will take your opportunities. You have set the bar, but I believe you want the bar to be raised even higher. Our kids and even grandchildren must inherit a country where women are treated with respect, where men don’t frown when women are given leadership positions, where women are known to be women of excellence at all times.”
As he concluded his outright message of empowerment, he said that one day there must HODs who are women in the built sector environment.

As the day’s programme unfolded, different speakers shared informative presentations on women’s development. Mrs Sindi Mthethwa from Department of Health delivered an eye-opening presentation on maintaining a healthy lifestyle citing the importance of healthy eating, drinking water and exercising.

The session was graced by the presence of the KZN Legislature Speaker, Ms Nontembeko Boyce. Ms Boyce commended women to be ambassadors for other women, “In a position that is given to you as a woman, be an ambassador for other women. Open up more opportunities for new women entrants on merit.” She also urged women in senior management to stop requesting interns to make tea for them, “interns should be able to learn more about work, rather than being limited by unpaid labour.” The cornerstone of Ms Boyce’s message was enlightening to all women who attended the session.

The Chairperson for Public Works Portfolio Committee, Ms Mbali Frazer delivered an inspiring motivation to the beautiful women who were listening attentively. She said that women in management should mentor young women to venture into a male dominated built environment industry.

These kinds of events will continue to inspire women of all levels with required information for their betterment and life advancement.

 

Message from the MEC


 

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