Will South Africa be better or worse off under a female president? This is a question that should feature in our dinner-table discussions. We raise this question today, not in support of, or in opposition to, the discussion raging within some structures of the ANC.The question arises as Britain prepares for its second female prime minister, and the talk in London is not whether they are ready for Theresa May's leadership.Rather, it's about how she will steer the country as it negotiates its way out of Europe.In South Africa, discussion of a female president is always located in the politics of fear.What is troubling about our politics, and those in charge of our political parties, is that they define the space for female leaders, quickly asserting that South Africans are not ready.When are we going to be ready? Is there a set date and time to be ready for a female president?If we are to choose the best among us to lead this country, we believe that the discussion should include women's voices and perspectives.What is wrong, though, is that the ruling party, led by men throughout its history, is failing to lead and open the discussion about female leadership.As we proclaim to be moderate in our approach, we should not be afraid to look beyond our male-dominated political pool. We need to shatter the glass ceiling and create space for more female leaders - in our politics and business.The world is changing and research tells us 40%-49% of the workforce is made up of women and 70%-80% of consumer-buying decisions are made by women.So surely women deserve a chance to run this country, and their male counterparts to rally behind the call. If we don't talk of such things we run the risk of not finding the talent that resides outside male-dominated structures.If gender is not a criterion for a good leader why, then, do we fear a female president?..