A Celebration of Women by the German and French Embassies in South Africa

In honour of the valiant protest against oppressive apartheid laws by approximately 20 000 women of all races on 09 August 1956 in Tshwane, South Africa; the Republic of South Africa commemorates the day annually as National Women’s Day and the month of August as National Women’s Month. In sync with the ongoing national priority of achieving holistic gender equity, the German and French Embassies in South Africa, supported by GIZ South Africa, Lesotho, and eSwatini, banded together to kick off National Women’s Month with an event for women of all sectors. With a special light being cast on women in the electricity and energy sector.

The hosts of the day, Mr. Andreas Peschke (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of South Africa) and Mr. David Martinon (Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of South Africa) delivered opening addresses acknowledging that almost 70 years since the initial grandstand by the nation’s women, South Africa looks different. They also highlighted that more support should be given to the state’s formidable women to play their role in critical national transformations such as the energy transition, for them to be just and sustainable.

The Ambassador’s support of South Africa’s women was further underscored by an address by Mr. Thomas Schaef (Country Director of GIZ South Africa, Lesotho, and eSwatini) who discussed the practical measures currently at play supporting women in the electricity and energy sectors.

“GIZ acknowledges that achieving gender equality in the energy sector requires a converted effort collaborative effort. We actively engage with a range of stakeholders, including national and municipal government, sector institutions such as the National Energy Regulator NERSA, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society organisations, to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment” - Thomas Schaef

Mr. Schaef gave a brief introduction to Ms. Zanele Hakamela (Gender Focal Point for the GIZ South Africa’s Energy Portfolio), encouraging industry stakeholders to explore synergies for joint cooperation.

In the spirit of respecting women’s voices, the event transitioned to its highlight, a panel discussion on “Fostering Gender Equality within the Energy Transition in South Africa”. Facilitated by Radio and Television Host, Ditshego Ditshego, the panel of distinguished women leaders Hon. Samantha Graham-Mare (Deputy Minister of Energy and Electricity), Ms. Elsie Pule (Former Group Executive of Human Resources, Eskom Holdings) and Nokwanda Maseko (Senior Economist, Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies), engaged in a debate on how we can take a pragmatic, holistic approach to empowering women and achieving gender equity. The lively discussion ended with a pledge by Deputy Minister Graham-Mare:

“We undertake to ensure that the just energy transition will place emphasis on the “just” element and that community engagement, gender parity and socio-economic inclusion is not just a box-ticking exercise”.

We share in the refrain reiterated by Ambassador Peschke, “Ngempela yinyanga yembokodo!” isiZulu for, “Indeed this is the month of the rock!”

Happy Women’s Month.