Sizani Ngubane: The Impact of Traditional Authority on Rural Women in South Africa
Channel: SACSIS
Date: 2014-10-10

Speaking at an event hosted by SACSIS and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) to examine the impact of traditional leadership on rural land reform Sizani Ngubane of the Rural Women's Movement, highlighted the many challenges faced by rural women who face continued discrimination under a feudal and patriarchal system of governance. Women-headed households in rural areas are the poorest in South Africa. They face on-going vulnerability and underdevelopment under traditional authorities in post-apartheid South Africa.

About Sizani Ngubane:

Sizani Ngubane founded the Rural Women's Movement (RWM) in KwaZulu-Natal sixteen years ago and under her leadership it has grown to a membership of nearly 50 000. Sizani has inspired thousands of rural women to become part of RWM with a vision to build a vibrant movement. Her stance has always been apolitical although she has pushed to have more women elected to decision-making bodies including Local and National Government. Part of the work she does is to train the rural women for such responsibilities.