Analyzing the effects of women’s political leadership on South Africa’s democracy

African women have traditionally been involved in politics. Politics in the present and the past demonstrate the significant influence that women have had on social and political concerns in Africa over a wide range of periods and regions. For example, in pre-colonial Africa, there were the Dahomey Amazons, a female military corps that defended the kingdom in the Kingdom of Dahomey (modern-day Benin); anti-colonial movements led by Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a well-known feminist and anti-colonial activist from Nigeria; and independence movements led by Winnie Mandela, a well-known human rights activist and anti-apartheid campaigner from South Africa. The idea of organized female participation in politics, especially in leadership roles, is crucial to the democracy of South Africa.

The political landscape of South Africa has significantly shifted towards gender equality in recent years, with an increasing number of women assuming leadership positions at all levels of government. The fact that women activists were flexible and successful in influencing policy has sparked debates and conversations on the impact of women’s political leadership on the country’s democracy. This blog explores the various dimensions of women’s political involvement and evaluates the extent to which female leadership has impacted and altered South African democracy.

Despite being a “rainbow nation,” or a varied and multicultural society, South Africa’s democratic transition is assessed from the perspective of black women. It is noteworthy that there are more women in politics in South Africa and Uganda than in many other more developed democracies. This observation might be the result of major political parties implementing affirmative-action rules for candidate recruitment and selection in response to pressure from its women’s wings.

Women have run for president and won in Malawi (Joyce Banda, president 2012-2014: second female head of state in Africa) and Liberia (Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president 2006-2018: first woman to be democratically elected as a head of state in Africa), but no woman has been elected to lead South Africa. Four individuals have served as president of South Africa since apartheid ended in 1994.  Nonetheless, women began to play significant political roles in the country towards the end of the 1990s. Examples of this include Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2009 and Minister of Health from 1994 to 1999. She also became the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in 2012. South Africa’s governance is now more sensitive to gender issues than it has ever been thanks to the substantial legislative, regulatory, and service delivery improvements that women in leadership roles have contributed to bring about. Due to this enormous influence, South African women have seen previously unheard-of success in moving from active involvement in the liberation struggle to administrative participation.

The important contributions South African women made to the growth of the nation’s democratic process are highlighted in the following points. These include regulatory changes, women leaders’ experiences, and historical turning events.

• The Battle for Gender Equality: Women led the charge in the resistance movement and were instrumental in overthrowing the oppressive government during the apartheid era. The significant work of female activists like Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Ruth Mompati, and Albertina Sisulu made it easier for women to participate in politics.
• Developments in the Legislative Framework: Following the end of apartheid, South Africa started the process of amending its constitution, which opened the door to further progress in gender equality. Gender equality was included in South Africa’s 1996 constitution, which also granted women full political participation rights. Following that, laws enforcing gender quotas—specifically, the Electoral Act of 1998—mandated that women hold at least 50% of part-time political jobs.
• Policy Prioritization: Women in leadership positions in politics have demonstrated a dedication to promoting gender-sensitive policies that tackle issues such as access to healthcare and education, economic empowerment, and gender-based violence.
• Women’s Political Representation Is On The Rise: Since gender quotas were introduced, the number of women in politics has been gradually rising. The remarkable growth of women’s participation in the South African parliament and local government is the reason that gender quotas and women’s political leadership are positively associated.
• Women’s Leadership: Understanding that women’s political experiences vary and that intersectionality plays a significant role in determining their goals and leadership style requires an awareness of the diverse perspectives held by women leaders from a range of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds as well as the impact of their intersectional identities on their leadership and decision-making in government.

In conclusion, the impact of women in political leadership on South Africa’s democracy cannot be overstated. Women leaders have played a crucial role in shaping national policy, elevating gender equality, and inspiring the next generation as the nation strives to build a more inclusive and equitable society. Though there are certainly challenges ahead, the progress made thus far demonstrates the revolutionary potential of female leadership. The democratic process in South Africa depends on the growth of women in politics, therefore maintaining the support of these leaders is essential to building a better, more equitable future. There is potential for more participation among the women who are actively involved in the conversations about how to improve gender equality in South Africa. All social groups should be excluded from this active engagement.

Ms. Bongiwe Khumalo is a researcher and educator. She writes in her personal capacity.