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Election of Chieftainess Nosiseko Gayika to HTL
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Housing and Local Government

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MEDIA RELEASE
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 7 SEPTEMBER  2000

ELECTION OF CHIEFTAINESS NOSISEKO GAYIKA TO HTL

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs welcomes with great appreciation the election of Chieftainess Nosiseko 
Gayika of the Amambombo tribe at Keiskammahoek to the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (HTL).

The move taken by amaRharhabe shows the commitment they have to the transformation process in the country, and in particular, in the 
traditional institutions by recognising the role that women play in building the Nation. We believe that Chieftainess Gayika will serve her 
community capably.

Transformation in the country does not only mean changing faces in our government structures but it should look at the practices that are 
no longer in line with the current constitutional imperatives in our communities.

Women who are nominated to represent their communities whether they are chiefs in their areas or general members of the community should do 
that with diligence and strong biasness towards the upliftment of rural women in particular.

Advancing the status of women in emerging democracies is an essential element of furthering the rule of law mechanisms and ensuring the 
protection of fundamental human rights, including the human rights of women and girl children.

Women are seriously underrepresented in all levels of government and are underrepresented as candidates of political parties. Equal 
participation of men and women in decision-making is necessary to provide a balance that more accurately reflects the composition of 
society, and is needed to strengthen democracy and promote its proper functioning.

Women's equal participation is more than a demand for justice or democracy. It is also a necessary condition for women's interests to be 
taken into account, particularly in the light of South Africa being a signatory to Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against 
Women (EDCAW).

The Department calls for measures to ensure equal access to and full participation in power structures and decision-making and for measures 
to increase women's capacity to participate in decision-making and leadership.

We must constantly explore ways to strengthen the role of women as democracy-builders through three tracks of workshops: law and 
leadership, politics and public life, and economics and business.

We know that we cannot build the kind of future we want without the contributions of women. And we know that around the world, women will 
only be able to contribute to their full potential if they have equal access, equal rights, equal protection and a fair chance at the 
levers of economic and political power. Advancing the status of women is the right thing to do; infact, we think it is the smart thing to 
do.

Our society, in sectors such as business and non-governmental organization communities, as well as governments, must develop and implement 
practical strategies to encourage the full participation of women in political and economic life.

We call for our communities to put in their agendas for discussion purposes issues such as preventing domestic violence, alternative 
dispute resolution, combating sexual harassment, protecting children's rights, legal education for women, and the impact of the women's 
vote.

We hope that the HTL will take up these issues in partnership with our Government and other stakeholders.

For further information please contact : Mbulelo Linda (Communications Officer) at 083 455 8669
 Department of Housing, Local Government & Traditional Affairs

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