The Department of Women, under the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal recently visited Ladysmith with the purpose of listening to the issues of women under the uThukela and uMgungundlovu district municipalities.
During the event, women were given the opportunity to present and voice issues of concern. Women from uThukela District Municipality raised various issues which included the lack of support for their companies, especially the NGOs and cooperatives. They also raised the issue about lack of training to develop them as women.
Women from Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality were not happy as they claimed that they do not receive funding for farming, especially tractors. Some felt that government departments do not provide information to women, and they want the government to intervene in all financial institutions to support women so that they can become successful as entrepreneurs.
Young women also felt as if they were neglected, and they asked the government to close the border gates entering South Africa because women are victims of abuse by foreign nationals. Women from uMgungundlovu District, under Mpofana Municipality, complained that they did not have a place to sell their produce, and they also needed a tractor.
Furthermore, women strongly appealed to the police to help them and arrest the people who steal their livestock. All the issues raised were tabled at the Women’s Parliament in Mooi River.
