By Claudine Senekal
All across South Africa, women will be honoured by celebrating National Women’s Day on 9 August. This day is celebrated both nationally and internationally and it highlights the strength and power of women.
UThukela District Municipality’s ‘first lady’, Ndlunkulu Shabalala, believes that women are the solutions to most social ills in South Africa and should remind themselves of that. “There are sayings in isiZulu such as ‘okuhlula amadoda kuyabikwa’ and ‘wathinta abafazi, wathinta imbokodo’ which means women are the solutions, and we as women hold that power,” said Shabalala.
Shabalala holds women’s rights close to her heart and said that she had to work hard alongside her husband, Councillor Inkosi NB Shabalala, to not only assist him in his dream of being a great leader as the Mayor of uThukela District but to be a great female leader for her community as well.
She said that women can add so much more to the world of politics. “We know what it is like to be oppressed and how easily women and children can be stripped of their rights,” said Shabalala, who has led various community projects within the uThukela District. She told The Ladysmith Herald that it is a critical month for every woman living in rural or urban areas within uThukela District.
“Women must learn to be independent and do manual labor, including gardening and entrepreneurship. It is also the time for celebrating the struggle of women, which is even found in the bible. Women like Deborah inspired the Israelites to a mighty victory against the Canaanites because she was a woman of great wisdom, revelation and discernment and we need women of such caliber.”
Shabalala said that after liberation, women are now achieving great things like owning businesses and holding senior positions and these women should be celebrated for facing various challenges. Shabalala told The Ladysmith Herald that what really motivates her is to see people progress and work towards their goals, no matter how big or small they might be. She added that working with the Gender Department in uThukela District Municipality, she and the team are planning to visit various areas to give gifts to adults and children.
“For the past two months, we have been in Estcourt, warning children about bullying in schools. Bullying has become a pandemic within schools and as women, we need to stand up and make a change, not only for those who have fallen victim, but to reach out to those who are broken or hurt which led them to harm others.”
Shabalala said that she would love to see more women being successful and would love to see more women finish their matric and older women further their own studies. She added that women can be role models for young people and assist and support in efforts to solve ongoing problems within society.
“Women are notion builders. They can change houses into homes, change groceries into delicious meals, therefore they have bigger roles to play in society. And play a vital role in raising children to take responsibility for their actions and believe in themselves. These are the future leaders of our country and the hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.”
Shabalala said that so much has changed for the rights of women and children, however, so much more needs to be done. “Yes, women are free, but there are those who do not fully understand their rights. There are those who are still abused, especially in their homes, and others who are abused in the workplace because they do not know their rights.”
She said that women must educate themselves and leaders such as herself should create awareness on social platforms to assist and share the knowledge that can be used to save and protect. She further said that women should take a stand against their abusers and must learn to stand together against those who abuse, hurt or kill women and children.
Shabalala added that she wishes to leave behind a legacy. “As a woman, you have to be an honest person, and people will respect you for the good work you do for people, your home and community.”
