The beautiful town of Arniston played host to the South African Local Government Association (Salga) in the Western Cape’s two-day Women’s Commission Lekgotla recently.
The event, on the theme “Empowering Women for Inclusive Governance”, gathered influential speakers who focused on women’s leadership, gender mainstreaming, sustainable development and community resilience in local government.
Key highlights included addresses by Western Cape Salga Women’s Commission (SWC) chairperson, councillor Helen Coetzee, who proudly welcomed the delegation, saying how special it was for her to host the Lekgotla in her home town of Arniston.
“For me, hosting this gathering in Arniston is incredibly meaningful. It’s a place where simplicity meets strength, history meets progress, and the values of community and care run deep. I hope you feel the same sense of inspiration and renewal here that so many of us do.”
In his welcome address, Ald Donovan Joubert, chairperson of Salga Western Cape PEC, reminded the delegates of the powerful role women have played in shaping change throughout history, from leading civil-rights movements to driving environmental conservation.
“Women are proven leaders and change makers, whether in corporate spaces where businesses thrive under their leadership or in communities where they stand as pillars of resilience and innovation,” he said.
Joubert also emphasised that gender equality is not a battle for one gender alone, but a collective effort for everyone. “True progress can only be achieved when all of us, irrespective of gender, join hands to champion equality.”
A panel discussion on “Enhancing Women’s Leadership in Local Government” included panellists such as Prince Albert Municipality Executive Mayor Linda Jaquet, along with councillor Flora Maboa-Boltman, councillor Theresa Els, and Anneleen Vorster.
Speaking on the topic of diverse leadership, Jaquet emphasised that true quality leadership is defined by actions, not just words. Leadership, she said, is about fostering an environment where diverse perspectives and voices are genuinely valued and embodies the essence of inclusivity.
Inclusivity
The second panel, which discussed Gender Mainstreaming in Governance, included Mpelo Malebye, Craig Mitchell and Funeka Mayembana. Mitchell shared strategies for incorporating gender mainstreaming into local government, while Malebye emphasised the positive impacts of gender-responsive governance.
Makaula highlighted the importance of the Provincial Gender Machinery and recommended gender-responsive budgeting for the Western Cape government over the next five years.
At the end of the SWC Lekgotla the women leaders in local government were confident that the intended outcomes had been successfully realised. Through enhancing women’s leadership, gender mainstreaming in governance, co-creating sustainable development and building resilient communities, this Lekgotla has empowered participants to drive meaningful change.
Together, they have strengthened capacities, integrated gender perspectives and set a solid foundation for sustainable, inclusive growth, empowering women as the architects of more resilient and equitable communities.
