Women from Kwa-Thema had the privilege to attend the State of the Province Address (SOPA) earlier this year, delivered by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi at Nasrec, hosted by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

The event was more than an opportunity to listen to the premier outline the provincial government’s plans and priorities.

Women who attended were encouraged to interrogate the speech, raise concerns and provide feedback from their communities.

Kwa-Thema’s Nthabiseng Mochesane took this responsibility seriously.

“The experience opened the door to greater participation in the legislative process and highlighted the importance of women ensuring that government commitments translate into meaningful changes in communities,” Mochesane said.

This journey continued on August 23, when Mochesane was invited to participate in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Regional Workshop in Boksburg, which was convened in preparation for the upcoming Women’s Sector Parliament.

“During the workshop, three commissions were established to deliberate on different issues affecting women across Gauteng,” she explained.

Mochesane was selected as chairperson of Commission 2, which focused on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Access to Opportunities.

The commission examined challenges that continue to prevent women from fully participating in the economy, including access to funding, employment opportunities, markets, skills development and government programmes.

The discussions sought to move beyond identifying challenges and to develop recommendations that can lead to practical action.

Representatives from different regions of Gauteng gathered at the Kagiso Museum as part of the continued preparations for the Women’s Parliament on August 29 and 30.

The engagement brought together women from across the province to consolidate issues, recommendations and resolutions that will be presented at the provincial level.

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In a significant milestone, Mochesane was selected as the chairperson of the Women’s Parliament of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, representing women from all regions of Gauteng.

Her journey from a community participant attending SOPA to chairing a provincial Women’s Parliament commission and ultimately being selected to lead the Women’s Parliament demonstrates the importance of community participation and women taking an active role in democratic processes.

The Gauteng Women’s Parliament will take place on September 9.

“The proceedings will provide women across the province with an opportunity to place their concerns, experiences and recommendations directly before the legislature.

“The event will also be streamed live across the social media, allowing members of the public to follow the proceedings and witness the participation of women from different communities across Gauteng,” she said.

Mochesane’s message to the women of Kwa-Thema and communities across Gauteng is that women must not only be consulted about decisions that affect their lives, but they must also be part of shaping those decisions.

Her road from SOPA to Women’s Parliament has shown that when women speak, participate and take up leadership positions, community issues can find their way into the heart of the legislative process.

“Women’s voices must lead to action, opportunities and meaningful change,” she concluded.