President Cyril Ramaphosa used his National Women’s Day address at Nkowankowa Stadium in Tzaneen, Limpopo, to hit back at critics of South Africa’s Employment Equity Act and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies.
The Employment Equity Act aims to prevent discrimination based on race, gender, or disability, while BEE specifically addresses historical economic exclusion. Although some opponents claim these measures hinder economic growth and fuel corruption, Ramaphosa dismissed such criticism.
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“It is funny for me that there are those in our society who oppose the Employment Equity Act, who also impose empowerment instruments that were put together… all those instruments are meant to lift all those who were oppressed by the previous system, including those white people who the previous system gave privileges to,” he said.
Ramaphosa stressed that the policies are designed to uplift all disadvantaged groups, including women and people with disabilities, regardless of race.
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Women Have ‘Borne the Brunt’ of Oppression
Highlighting the struggles women still face, the president emphasised that South African women need targeted support.
“It is through these acts, employment equity and various other acts, that we are seeking to raise everyone who was disadvantaged in the past,” he said.
Ramaphosa noted that women, in particular, endured the harshest forms of oppression under apartheid and continue to face systemic inequalities today.
A Call for Men to ‘Rise Up’ Against GBV
Turning his focus to gender-based violence (GBV), Ramaphosa condemned the ongoing abuse of women and children in South Africa.
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“We continue to see incidents of gender-based violence. What is more troubling is how the men of our country continue to abuse women by raping and brutally killing them,” he said.
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He expressed deep concern over crimes involving children, including cases of rape and child pregnancy.
“That is painful. And that is why we say we must all rise up against gender-based violence. We must all rise as men and make sure that we bring the levels of gender-based violence down.”
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