As South Africa navigates the complexities of governance in its seventh Parliament, the representation of women stands at 43%—a concerning drop of 3% compared to the previous parliamentary term. This figure, while notable, raises questions about the progression of gender equality in political spheres, noting particularly that women have never comprised more than 50% of Parliament since the dawn of democracy in 1994.
In the current configuration, 22 out of 52 portfolio committees are chaired by women, showcasing some level of female leadership. Prominent committees led by women include Social Development, the Constitutional Review Committee, the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, and the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade. However, the majority of these committees are still chaired by men, reflecting a broader pattern of gender disparity in South Africa’s governance.
The leadership of Parliament itself remains predominantly male, with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, presiding over a body where only five of the twelve presiding officers are women. Furthermore, Patricia de Lille serves as the only female party leader in Parliament, underscoring a stark underrepresentation of women in significant political roles.
On a global scale, South Africa performs relatively well in terms of female political representation among its G20 counterparts, ranking second only to Mexico. This was highlighted in the 2021 World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, where South Africa was cited as 14th globally for political empowerment, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union placing the country 11th for female representation at the parliamentary level, the second highest in Africa.
Despite these rankings, experts argue for a need for substantial improvement. Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast, from the Nelson Mandela University’s Centre for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution, emphasised that while significant strides have been made, women continue to face considerable barriers, especially in the private sector where strategic positions are often elusive. In government, despite women’s presence in committees and leadership roles, true equity remains an aspiration rather than a reality.
Political analyst Asanda Ngoasheng echoed this sentiment, pointing out that although numerical representation of women is promising, the lack of influential leadership is concerning. “We do quite well in terms of numbers, but in terms of influence, we don’t do as well,” he stated, referencing the absence of a female president and contrasting South Africa’s situation with female leadership in neighbouring countries, like Sierra Leone and Namibia.
As South Africa continues to grapple with gender equality in politics, the latest statistics serve as both a celebration of progress and a rallying cry for greater action. The ambition to elevate women’s voices and ensure their influence in political decision-making remains paramount in shaping an equitable future for all South Africans.