'SA ready for woman leader'

22 August 2014 - 02:26 By Ulemu Teputepu
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President of Malawi Joyce Banda File photo.
President of Malawi Joyce Banda File photo.
Image: AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE

Malawai's former president, Joyce Banda, has said South Africa has many women who can perform the role of president and transform the country for the better.

Banda was commenting on the current debate on whether this country was ready for a female president.

Speaking in Sandton, Banda said that South Africa had a good record in respect of empowering women but it was "high time" that a female president was appointed.

"Let's face the truth: There are lots of women who could lead this country," Banda said.

"We cannot be ignored because we are 52% of the population and we brought the other 48% into this world.

"I totally agree with what President Jacob Zuma said. South Africa is ready for a female president. There are suitable candidates in the ruling ANC and other political parties, and it's high time they were given a chance to take on leadership roles," Banda said.

She said having women in leadership positions would help to reduce women abuse, which was on the increase.

She advised professional women particularly to become involved in politics and called on women to engage men in their fight for empowerment.

"What I have found, and told my fellow women, is that we have a problem in that women have been talking to themselves at conferences of women and have left men out of the debate.

"Yet the power is with men; those are the people who need to open the doors to create such platforms," said Banda.

She cited as an example the support she was given by men in taking power in Malawi despite strong resistance by the then ruling party.

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