Pretoria – The Ministry responsible for Women in Presidency has called on South African women to be inspired by the story of Free State University cleaning workers who turned their humiliation into a proud success.
In 2009, Emma Koko, Rebecca Adams, David Malete, Naomi Phororo and Mittah Ntsaleng, were subjected to a racist initiation ritual, when forced to eat urine-soaked food by white students, which shocked the nation and exposed racism at the University of Free State.
But today they are proud owners of a cleaning company and even have a four year contract at the same university.
Ministry spokesperson Kenosi Machepa said the leadership of university have shown what is possible when the bull is taken by its horn.
Machepa has called for more institutions in the public and private sectors to introduce programmes aimed at propelling women into playing an active role in the economy.
"The university did not just give the cleaners a contract. They invested in their capacity development and made sure they were mentored all the way and even gave them an opportunity to prove themselves. This is sure to have a ripple effect to their families and the communities they live in."
Machepa said the university in addressing the racist incident set a good example that demonstrated what was meant by women empowerment and "moving women from a status of being victims to victors".
Minister of Women, Susan Shabangu, has recently called for women to take centre stage as the country gears itself for the implementation of radical socio-economic transformation policies and programmes in the next five years. - SAnews.gov.za
