According to the Spokesperson of the dti, Mr Sidwell Medupe, the roundtable will afford various stakeholders an opportunity to have an honest and open discussion about the critical issue of women’s economic empowerment

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 7, 2017/APO/ -- 

The role of the South African media in the economic empowerment of the country’s women will come under the spotlight at a Women’s Month Roundtable that will be hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in partnership with Radio Turf at the University of Limpopo, Mankweng Campus on Tuesday, 15 August 2017. 

Journalists, editors, politicians, businesswomen, academics, media owners, publishers, post-graduate communication and journalism students, government communicators, and senior public service managers will exchange their views on the topic: Women Economic Empowerment – Is the South African Media Playing its Part? 

According to the Spokesperson of the dti, Mr Sidwell Medupe, the roundtable will afford various stakeholders an opportunity to have an honest and open discussion about the critical issue of women’s economic empowerment, and whether the country’s media is playing its part in efforts to ensure that women are fully empowered to participate in the mainstream economy.

As a country, ensuring that women participate actively and meaningfully in the mainstream economy of South Africa is everyone’s responsibility, not that of government alone

“As a country, ensuring that women participate actively and meaningfully in the mainstream economy of South Africa is everyone’s responsibility, not that of government alone. More dialogues across sections of all our society need to take place if the much-spoken-about fundamental change in the structure, systems, institutions and patterns of ownership, management and control of the country’s economy in favour of all South Africans, especially the poor, the majority of whom are African and female, is to be achieved,” says Medupe.

He adds that the department recognises the immeasurable role and immense power of the media in influencing the society positively.

The Deputy Station Manager of Radio Turf, Mr Makwena Mamadi says the discussion will enable the radio station to make an assessment of its own contribution in the national dialogue about the economic empowerment of women. 

“The spotlight will shine on women for the whole of August as the country observes the National Women’s Month. The roundtable will provide a platform for us to engage and make an honest assessment of whether we are doing enough everyday to empower women economically so that in August we celebrate their achievements. Women should be the integral part of radical economic transformation if we are to achieve inclusive economic growth in the country,” says Mamadi.           

August is celebrated as a Women’s Month as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of pass laws to women. The South African government declared August Women’s Month and 9 August is celebrated annually as the National Women’s Day.

Distributed by APO on behalf of The Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa.