Gender activist, Dr Lesley Ann Foster, has expressed hope that the government of national unity will provide an opportunity for political parties to collaborate in addressing South Africa’s unemployment, slow economic growth and inequalities.

‘This is a very significant moment. I feel quite emotional about it…We have had so much negativity and so many challenges that we have been facing that this gives us a ray of hope for change that will take us forward as a country,’ Foster told SAnews on Wednesday at the Union Buildings.

Foster who is the founder and executive director of non-governmental organisation (NGO) Masimanyane Women’s Rights International made these remarks ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria.

‘We are excited about the possibility that this new administration [brings]. The most important thing about the government of national unity is that it is not about a particular party but about national unity. How do we bring all these people together to bring about p
rogress and development? The most critical thing is about what can take the country forward,’ she said.

Foster said the presence of dignitaries at the inauguration signifies that the international community honours and respects South Africa.

‘They are coming to pay their respects to our new President and that is very significant for us that they are here to say we stand with you; we support you.’

With the inauguration representing the beginning of the seventh administration, Foster called for government to address corruption, unemployment and gender inequality.

‘Government needs to deal decisively with corruption. They also need to work on the economic policies and look at how they can create jobs, particularly for the youth and the unemployed of our country; there is so many of them.

‘I work in the gender sector. We have a huge challenge to address gender-based violence in this country. We have had very strong political commitments from President Ramaphosa in his previous administration. We are praying
that it will happen again.’

She added that she was part of a collective of women that have written a statement to all political parties requesting that they address gender equality issues in this administration.

‘We want them to address gender equality. We want the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide to be put in place. We want issues on empowerment and our status in society to be addressed

‘South African women still have very low status, even though they has been massive progress, we still have low status. They need to address that because until we are an equal society, poverty is going to be the big issue.

‘We have a big problem around poverty, food insecurity and water insecurity. They have to address those issues very decisively because we are sitting on a smouldering peg and we can have an explosion at any time from the youth because they are dissatisfied,’ Foster said.

This year’s inauguration coincides with South Africa’s celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy.

READ |
SA marks Inauguration Day

The 27th of April 2024 marked 30 years since the advent of democracy in South Africa. This day marked a historic milestone in South Africa, as all adults were allowed to cast their votes, for the first time, in a free and fair democratic election.

Source: South African Government News Agency