The Premier of KZN Nomusa Dube-Ncube on Thursday delivered an address at the African Women Leadership Organisation (AWLO) Annual Conference, calling for women to play a central role in the leadership of the continent, including in the ownership of land.
The annual conference, held in Umhlanga north of Durban, was attended by prominent women leaders from business, government, education and other sectors, from all over the continent.
Dube-Ncube challenged women to be more involved today in their own economic emancipation; the same way that the women of yesteryear up until the 90s were central to the struggle for political freedom.
She pointed out that whenever there are discussions about land ownership, land restitution and resettlement, women are not always involved.
“When we speak of the empowerment of women, we must also speak about land. Women cannot be involved in property and construction without access to land,” she said.
The Premier then called on women leaders to take up the responsibility of moulding the new and “African Model Citizen” that does not resort to violence when he is angry.
“We also have a duty to bring up young girls who will be assertive and not aggressive. They must grow to support the struggles and successes of other women.
“We will not be able to achieve these objectives unless we place women at the centre. We make this [call] not only as a statement of faith, but as a practical response to the need for the transformation of our society,” she added.
