“Is South Africa ready for a woman President?’’: In 30 years of democracy, women still face challenges in politics.

By: Yolokazi Mfuto

In the 30 years South Africans have lived under a democratic state, the idea of seeing a woman President has become elusive. The challenges women face in politics have built what seems like a glass ceiling. The question ‘’Is South African ready for a woman presidency’’ has lingered for many years and it is disingenuous for a range of reasons.

Questions such as the latter are problematic because are symptomatic of dangers of heteronormative patriarchal system. This kind of system promotes the idea that men are natural born leaders and women are below men. Women have always led in society, when the mineral revolution began and men were forced to work in the mines, women led their households and communities. They are leaders, just like men. The history of South African women in politics can be traced from the struggle against apartheid and the transition to democracy. Operations such as the 9^th of August 1956 march to Union building, which preceded the 21 March 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, where Black people were protesting pass law, led by women. Thousands of women marched so that South Africans could be free. Even though the political terrain was volatile, women such as Lilian Ngoyi, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, Albertina Sisulu, Ruth First, and many others led the struggle alongside men. However, the role played by these women and those who are in politics are in a perpetual state of being diminished.

The South African government realized the need to empower women and create an environment that would enable women to occupy leadership positions. The constitution of Republic South Africa, 1996, make provisions for prohibiting discrimination on gender. New laws and policies were enacted that promote gender equality. The state has also ratified international conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

But even with these advancements, women in South African women’s politics continue to confront many obstacles, including gender-based violence, and women in politics frequently face discrimination, harassment, and sexism. In addition, despite advancements in other sectors level, women in strategic leadership roles are still needed nationally.

Civil society organizations that support women’s rights encourage women in leadership roles, and lobby for legislative changes to address gender-based discrimination are all part of the ongoing efforts to advance gender equality in politics. Initiatives to improve the presence of women in decision-making bodies have also been advocated for, including gender quotas within political parties.

One of the women who have held influential political positions includes Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who served as Deputy President from 2005 to 2008 was marked to be President after President Thabo Mbeki.

It has become a culture amongst all the leading political organizations that whenever women contest the position of leading the party, they end up being pushed out of the party. When Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma lost conference in the African National Congress, she was isolated in the ANC. In the Democratic Alliance, Mbali Ntuli contested Stein Steinhuissen for federal leadership, and the DA created new rules that campaigns should not be made public to derail her campaign. Eventually, she resigned after the congress. The former Chairperson of EFF, Mandisa Mashego opposed the election of Secretary General EFF and disagreed with the EFF leader. She also succumbed and left the organization.

It is quite clear even though quotas are there, and they have been impactful. There are thousands of capable women who can lead, women will continue to struggle because politics remain very hostile against women.

There are women who have established their political parties. The late Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi started the National Freedom Party when she left the Inkatha Freedom Party after attempting to contest the top leadership of the party against the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi  The NFP did very in the 2011 local government elections where they were leading in certain municipalities and in the 2019 National elections, the party amassed six seats in parliament. When Patricia De Lille had her membership terminated by the Democratic Alliance Federal Executive, she subsequently resigned as a Mayor of Cape Town in 2018. She lamented that she was now free of oppression and being abused. Patricia de Lille subsequently formed  her political organization, named Good. The party won two seats in parliament in 2019 and she was elected to the Cabinet of South Africa serving as a minister for Public Works and Infrastructure. She now serves as a Minister for Tourism. GOOD party is doing very Western Cape, and they will be contesting the 2024 National elections.

The two examples are illustrations to highlight that question on the state of readiness for a woman president is unsubstantial, because there is a plethora of evidence that women are capable to lead. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for people to prepare themselves so that a woman can lead them. This is because, women are leading already but just that not as president of a country yet.

According to a study conducted by Afrobarometer in 2023., most citizens (81%) say women should have the same chance as men to be elected to political office. However, six in 10 (59%) consider that a woman running for public office will be criticized, called names, or harassed by others in the community.

Ultimately, even though South African government has made progress since apartheid ended in encouraging women to enter the political arena, much more must be done to attain complete gender equality and create an environment where women can have more influence in all areas, including running for positions like the President of the country.

Political organisations are still a breeding ground for heteronormative patriarchy where women must work twice as hard for them to be seen. Therefore, political organisations should ensure that they create an environment where women are not fearful, chastised for attending to women reproductive needs, and can contest any political position without fear of being discriminated.

Civil society organisations have been doing a lot of work in support for gender equality and supporting women empowerment programs in South Africa. The work should transcend and start educating people on the importance of gender equality. Based on the report from Afrobarometer, there is a need for South Africans to unlearn patriarchal stereotypes and beliefs about women, particularly about women in leadership.

Business and Political party funders have massive responsibility and power to turn the tide. Politics is a game that is mostly fueled by money. Those with more money tend to win power, because they are in a better position to source resources. If funders could fund more women led political parties and women who to run for leadership positions within political parties, South Africa would have better chances of having a woman President is idea is becoming a blurring vision.

Yolokazi Mfuto is a communications strategist at the DDP and writes in her personal capacity.