Former Minister of Water & Environmental Affairs; Minerals and Energy; Non-Executive Director of Kumba Iron Ore: Buyelwa Sonjica

This week we are joined by Ms Buyelwa Sonjica who served as South Africa’s Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs (2009-2010), Minister of Minerals and Energy (2006-2009), Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry (2004-2006), Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (2003-2004), and currently Independent Non-Executive Director of Kumba Iron Ore.

We discuss the importance of the South African constitution’s founding principle of non-sexism to guide enabling legislation for the full emancipation and economic participation of women in society. To further advance women’s issues requires strategic collective leadership with representatives from all spheres of society. We remark that empowering women is an economic imperative, powered by education and aided by sharing knowledge of best practices for success, and reflect on the positive evolution of culture towards women in response to social effects, overriding oppressive practices. Tune in for more…