The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has urged women who have already made their mark in various industries to uplift others by mentoring, guiding, and ensuring no one is left behind.

Delivering the keynote address at the recent VUT Women’s Dialogue, themed “Empowering women and being voices of change – What are we doing as women in leadership to empower other women,” Kubayi stressed that the fight for gender equality must not be left to women alone but embraced by men as well.

“As we celebrate women who, against all odds, have managed to climb up the social ladder, we must, more vigorously, fight to break the unnecessary barriers they have had to overcome,” she said. While acknowledging progress in male-dominated industries, Kubayi emphasised that true equality remains a work in progress.

“With privilege comes responsibility. When given the opportunity to lead, women must embrace their duty to be agents of change,” she added.

Kubayi noted persistent inequalities, especially for Black African women, who remain disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, and underrepresentation in leadership and key economic sectors. However, she highlighted that where deliberate gender equity measures have been applied, results have followed.

“To achieve lasting change, women must challenge and redefine the political, economic, and social rules that continue to favour male dominance. True gender equality is within reach if we have the will to pursue it,” Kubayi concluded.

The dialogue also featured prominent panelists, including Central University of Technology Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pamela Dube, VUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Grace Mukondeleli Kanakana-Katumba, VUT Executive Dean Prof Christa Grobler, Enactus South Africa CEO Letitia de Wet, and VUT CFO Nthanyiseni Dhumazi.

They shared their leadership journeys, the challenges faced climbing the corporate ladder, and encouraged young women to persevere in achieving their goals.