Powerful women in politics

There is a quote by an unknown author that reads, “Every man needs a woman when his life is a mess, because just like in the game of chess, the queen protects the king”.

In the Roodepoort area, there are five female ward councillors who do their best to better the communities they live in. These councillors are Florence Roberts, Amelia Bester, Sonja Meyer, René Benjamin and Leah Knott, and they each have a long list of successes behind their names.

Women’s Day in South Africa was celebrated on 9 August, and three of the councillors came forward to share their thoughts with the community.

René, Florence and Amelia all agreed that this day is of vital importance; it empowers women, commemorates their hardships, and celebrates their successes.

René not only uses Women’s Day to remember powerful women, but also to remind herself and others that women are more than just the labels they are given, they are personalities that shape the world every day.

“We should never be looking down, unless it is to help someone up,” she said.

We now live in a society where fewer fields of work are male-dominated. Women are entering the workspace and taking it by storm; one such field is politics. A previously male-dominated field, politics is now the bread and butter of many powerful women.

“It is certainly empowering and there are amazing female politicians to draw inspiration from,” said Florence. She continued to say that there are challenges, but change is slow, so women need to draw inspiration from each other and keep moving forward.

As advice for aspiring female politicians, Florence recommend getting involved with a cause that is personal to you and drives you to make a difference. René said it is important to do the time; working hard and making sure you have all the knowledge to ensure you are making well-informed decisions. She also said that it is important to enter the field with your eyes open, taking into consideration how taxing the job can be on your personal life.

Amelia agreed with both these sentiments, adding that it is extremely important to balance your optimism with a good dose of realism and have a solid support system in your private life as a reminder of your worth. “It is also important to be able to say ‘no,’ otherwise you’ll be toffee that is chewed up,” said Amelia.

Amelia concluded by saying that while there are still several challenges that women face, the responsibility of rectifying these issues cannot fall on their shoulders alone. Everyone needs to get involved and show the courage to challenge things that are unjust.

“In order for a nation to share in prosperity, the obligation to create change must be shared by all those who live in it,” she concluded.

Florence shared similar sentiments, adding that men and women must take serious action to restore moral values, especially among the youth. She concluded by saying, “Women are powerful. Each small action by each woman will move the mountain collectively and eventually.”

René concluded her statement by saying that change begins with each of us and we should nurture future generations of women to build their self-worth and confidence, irrespective of their circumstances. “My message is for all women, no matter what your circumstances are, to be good to yourself and extend that goodness to another woman. By doing this, you will find that you are never alone in your walk,” she concluded.