The DBE, in collaboration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE), recently launched the Females in Leadership and Management (FILM) Programme in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Programme, this week, continues in Cape Town in the Western Cape Province from 19 to 21 March 2025. The event brings together women in education leadership from across South Africa. Its main goals are to promote professional growth, strengthen networks and address workplace challenges with a focus on enhancing gender inclusivity in leadership roles.
The Programme aims to empower women by increasing their representation in educational leadership, building their confidence and fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace. Ms Zanele Mlambo, Deputy Chief Education Specialist, emphasized the need for professional support that extends beyond the role of school principals. She encouraged participants to develop strong, supportive networks and shared her insights on resilience in leadership, drawing from her experience in governance. She also highlighted that whilst women face distinct challenges in leadership, perseverance and education, collective action can help overcome these barriers and lead to greater success.
A message of support from the Deputy Minister of Basic Education was delivered at the launch by Mr Nkosana Thakgedi, Acting Director of the Education Management and Governance Development (EMGD) Directorate. In the opening note, Dr Mhaule reaffirmed Government's commitment to gender equality in education and acknowledged the challenges women encounter in career advancement. Dr Mhaule emphasized the importance of collective efforts to increase female representation in leadership and senior management positions. Additionally, the Deputy Minister mentioned South Africa's participation in international forums, such as the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) and the G20 Working Group Meeting on Gender Transformative Education, as critical opportunities to influence global policy and enhance domestic initiatives.
The importance of professional conduct in education was addressed by Ms Gugu Makhoba, Provincial SACE Coordinator for the Northern Cape Province. She discussed the role of SACE in promoting fairness and inclusivity, representing all teachers across the country. Ms Makhoba also stressed the need for teachers to register with SACE, maintain a professional dress code and ensure ethical interactions between educators and learners. By upholding these principles, teachers contribute to creating a safe and respectful learning environment whilst preserving the integrity of the profession.
Ms Mlambo said that the challenges faced by school principals, such as being undermined in leadership roles, workplace resistance and age-related biases persist. Despite progress in gender equality, stereotypes continue, often questioning women’s leadership abilities. Overcoming these barriers requires confidence, resilience and dedicated support structures. “What we're doing goes beyond just a one day commemoration on 9 August. Our aim is to make female empowerment and equity a key part of the National Development Plan and Vision 2030, as it has a lasting impact on all female leaders in the country”. The FILM Programme will be continuing in the Gauteng Province from 24 to 25 March and then move to Mpumalanga Province from 26 to 27 March 2025.