Commission for Gender Equality vacancies: Interviews day 3

Meeting report

The Chairperson informed the Committee that Dr Ntshabiseng Moleko, the current CGE Deputy Chairperson, had notified the Committee of her withdrawal from the process as she has been appointed one of the advisors to the President on BBB-EE Advisory Council. The Committee wished to thank Dr Moleko and commended her as she was one of the best Commissioners. She assisted in a strategy plan for the CGE and put in place the monitoring and evaluation system in the organisation.

Interview process
At the beginning of each interview, the Chairperson explained that the interview process would last 45 minutes and English should be used as the primary language for communication. However, the candidate may occasionally use a language of their preference to explain certain terms. Thereafter, the candidates were given five minutes to introduce themselves.

At the end of each interview, the candidates were asked if they had questions of clarity. The Chairperson explained that the candidate would be informed of the outcome in due course. The Committee’s job was to make recommendations to the President, who made the final appointments.

Candidate 1: Ms Mulalo Nemataheni
Since the purpose of Chapter 9 institutions was to strengthen constitutional democracy, Ms F Masiko (ANC) asked the candidate what her understanding was of the mandate, powers and functions of CGE as a Chapter 9 institution in terms of the Constitution and its enabling legislation.

Ms Masiko asked the candidate what her understanding of the role of a CGE Commissioner was.

Mr L Mphithi (DA) asked the candidate what her view was of CGE’s relationship with the private sector.

Mr Mphithi said that CGE had been described as lacking teeth when tackling government departments head-on about mainstreaming gender equality. He asked for the candidate’s comment and what she would do to change that perception if appointed.

Ms T Masondo (ANC) stated that a key strategic outcome of 2019-2024 states that CGE intends to promote gender equality through public awareness education, investigation and litigation. She asked the candidate to assess if this had been done successfully and what innovative methods the candidate would adopt to promote public awareness of and access to CGE.

Ms N Sharif (DA) remarked that she felt that candidate was underselling herself considering the impressive accomplishments that she had achieved. She was asked to detail her accomplishments from the Top 200 Young South African Mail & Guardian award to the varied amazing work she had achieved so far. It was encouraging to see a young woman having achieved so much.

Given those remarkable achievements, Ms Sharif pointed out that women empowerment was against the backdrop of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in which the only solutions there could be were gender mainstreaming and gender-based budgeting. If appointed as CGE Commissioner, what would her role be in 1) combating GBFV; 2) using her role to influence gender mainstreaming and gender-based budgeting bringing it to the forefront; 3) the candidate’s thoughts on women's economic empowerment?

Ms N Hlonyana (EFF) noted the candidate’s vast experience with a financial background, her passion for the advocacy of women and openness to welcome people, she was interested to know what types of books she and her friends read at the Empowered Women Book Club and the motivation for choosing those books. She remarked that the candidate was the humblest person she had met so far.

Ms Hlonyana asked the candidate to provide details of her managerial experience and specific managerial skills.

Ms Hlonyana wanted to know if the candidate had experience in litigation, advocacy and legislative or policy review and to indicate her relevant work experience.

Ms C Phiri (ANC) indicated that many women out there have never heard of CGE despite the many channels to reach out to those people. Thus she asked the candidate which strategies she would use to reach out to those who lived in rural areas.

Ms Phiri asked the candidate to answer what role CGE should be playing in ensuring government’s compliance with international treaties and conventions. In addition, she asked the candidate to name a few of those international treaties contained in CEDAW Shadow Report.

Ms M Hlengwa (IFP) asked the candidate to convince the panel why she was the most suitable candidate for the post and describe one instance that showed her leadership skill in organising and doing things professionally.

The Chairperson remarked that the candidate was remarkable in choosing to empower the people in the Vhembe community as most people would leave for greener pastures once they have achieved so much. She felt that rural areas were being abandoned.

Candidate 2: Ms Fundiswa Barbara Skweyiya-Gushu
The Committee’s Content Advisor notified the candidate that the Committee had received three public comments, in which two were from two individuals and one from OUTA, a non-government organisation. OUTA indicated that the candidate was an active director of six companies and a non-executive director at Armscor. OUTA believed that her involvement in those businesses would impact her ability to serve as CGE Commissioner and be a potential conflict of interest. Further, OUTA indicated that the candidate had been under debt review since 2016. OUTA stated that from the qualifications of the candidate, it was unclear how she would add value to the vacant position.

The Chairperson clarified that the Committee would not disqualify her but would like to hear her explanation whether her directorships would constitute a conflict of interest. She dismissed the candidate’s debt review issue as many people were facing the same situation and cannot be used as an excuse to disqualify candidates.

Ms Masiko was particularly interested in some of the findings in the candidate’s research. She recalled a colloquium she had attended about ‘why men are angry’ which resonated with the candidate’s research.

Ms Masiko asked for the candidate's understanding of the mandate, powers and functions of CGE as a Chapter 9 institution in terms of the Constitution and its enabling legislation.

Ms Masiko asked the candidate what her understanding of the role of a CGE Commissioner was.

Mr Mphithi asked the candidate whether her various directorships would be a conflict of interest if appointed a Commissioner as she would be remunerated by the state.

Mr Mphithi asked the candidate to evaluate CGE’s work and identify the challenges of its work. He asked how the candidate would deal with those challenges if appointed.

Mr Mphithi asked for the candidate’s view on the role of CGE in the private sector to fulfil its mandate.

Ms B Marekwa (ANC) resonated with the candidate’s response and emphasised that more focus needed to be given to the work and role of women in the development of our country and society. She encouraged the candidate to keep up the good work she did.

Ms Marekwa stated that the Constitution stipulates that all Chapter 9 institutions must be impartial and independent. She asked why the Constitution required this.

She further asked the candidate if he regarded himself as an independent-minded and impartial person. If the response was yes, she asked the candidate to demonstrate why.

Ms Hlonyana remarked that the candidate seems to be one of the few candidates that could correctly diagnose the challenges CGE faced. Given her sharp observation, she asked the candidate if she was certain that she would still want to be part of the Commission.

Noted vast experience in research. In addition to research, the vacant position also required many other skills. Hence, Ms Hlonyana asked if the candidate had any advocacy experience and to provide details if the candidate had any.

Ms Hlonyana asked the candidate if she had any managerial experience. If so, she asked the candidate to provide details and highlight the specific management skills that the candidate possessed.

Ms Hlonyana asked the candidate if she had any legislative or policy review experience.

Ms Hlonyana asked the candidate if she had any litigation experience. If so, she asked the candidate to provide details.

Ms Masondo stated that a key strategic outcome of 2019-2024 states that CGE intends to promote gender equality through public awareness education, investigation and litigation. She asked the candidate to assess if this had been done successfully and what innovative methods the candidate would adopt to promote public awareness of and access to CGE.

Ms A Hlongo (ANC) asked for the candidate's understanding of gender discrimination, homophobia and intolerance towards non-binary persons.

Ms Sharif remarked that GBVF was a struggle South Africa found itself battling. Given the candidate’s vast experience in the academic space, 1) how would she apply those skills to challenge patriarchy; 2) her thoughts on the GBVF National Strategic Plan. She asked if its implementation had been successful and if not, what change she would initiate if appointed.

The Chairperson noted the gaps at CGE that the candidate had identified and asked what innovative strategies she would bring to the Commission should she be appointed.

Ms Hlengwa asked the candidate if she possessed the leadership skill that the Committee required and to describe one instance that showed her leadership skill in organising and doing things professionally.

Candidate 3: Ms Santel Wilhelmina Van Zyl
The Chairperson notified the candidate that the Committee had received one public comment from OUTA stating that although the candidate was not wholly unsuitable for the position, she held three company directorships and this might be a conflict of interest so this needed to be scrutinised by the Committee. OUTA noted her qualifications but said these were not considered particularly to add value to the Commission.

The Chairperson remarked that she had picked up a pattern from the public comments, most particularly OUTA’s comments. What stood out was OUTA’s inconsistency in that it sometimes explicitly stated that the candidate was unsuitable due to holding company directorships, whilst sometimes it states that the candidate may not be entirely unsuitable but this needed to be scrutinised by the Committee. The Chairperson found the inconsistency unfair and incorrect and believed that it was something Committee members needed to discuss.

The Chairperson thus assured the candidate that the Committee would not disqualify a candidate simply because of a negative public comment. Those comments helped Committee members to get to know candidates.

Ms Sharif asked the candidate to elaborate a bit more on the work that she had done.

Ms Masiko agreed with the Chairperson about the inconsistency of public comments which she also had red flagged.

Mr Mphithi said there was a bit of discrepancy in those public comments and determining suitability based on a candidate’s debt review. He found it unfair that some candidates would receive a negative perception because of failure to pay instalments or accounts. He clarified that it is important for candidates to provide their side of the story to the public as the media usually is one-sided and did not allow those candidates to give their side of the story. It was by no means that Committee Members were deliberately being difficult about a particular candidate.

Since the purpose of Chapter 9 institutions was to strengthen constitutional democracy with CGE's focus on attaining gender equality, Ms Maziko asked for the candidate's understanding of the mandate, powers and functions of CGE as a Chapter 9 institution in terms of the Constitution and its enabling legislation.

Ms Masiko asked the candidate what her understanding of the role of a CGE Commissioner was.

Mr Mphithi asked the candidate what shortcomings she had identified at CGE and what interventions she would propose to address those shortcomings.

Given CGE’s mission to build an equitable society, Mr Mphithi asked if the candidate believed that CGE needed more ‘teeth’ to enforce gender equality policy in its interaction with the public sector such as government departments. What sort of approach would she adopt on this should she be appointed as CGE Commissioner?

Ms Masondo stated that a key strategic outcome of 2019-2024 states that CGE intends to promote gender equality through public awareness education, investigation and litigation. She asked the candidate to assess if this had been done successfully and what innovative methods the candidate would adopt to promote public awareness of and access to CGE.

Ms Phiri asked the candidate what her understanding was of gender discrimination. She asked how, if appointed as Commissioner, she would deal with homophobia and intolerance towards non-conforming persons.

Ms Phiri asked the candidate, if appointed Commissioner, how she would advise government departments and entities and the private sector about mainstreaming gender to achieve gender equality.

Ms Marekwa stated that the Constitution stipulates that all Chapter 9 institutions must be impartial and independent. She asked why the Constitution required this.

She asked if the candidate was regarded as an independent-minded and impartial person. If yes, she asked the candidate to demonstrate why.

Ms Sharif indicated that she had done internet research about the candidate and found a few articles such as ‘Partners for possibility’. She would like to know more about the candidate’s role and involvement in this work such as her community involvement, having assisted a school principal with water infrastructure and security for the school and so on.

Ms Sharif understood that the candidate felt deeply about the violence towards the LGBTQ community which was happening on a daily basis in South Africa. Many people did not understand that GBVF goes beyond women and extends to the trans community. If appointed, what skills would she bring to CGE to fight GBVF and how would she raise awareness?

Ms Hlonyana noted the absence of experience in the candidate’s introduction and asked her to elaborate more on the work that she had done.

Ms Hlonyana asked the candidate if she had any managerial experience. If so, she asked the candidate to provide details and highlight her specific management skills.

Ms Hlonyana asked the candidate if she had experience in the following: advocacy, legislative or policy review experience; litigation. If so, she asked the candidate to provide details.

Ms Hlengwa asked if the candidate possessed the leadership skill that the Committee required and to describe one instance that showed her leadership skill in organising and doing things professionally.

Candidate 4: Ms Lebogang Fataha
Since the purpose of Chapter 9 institutions was to strengthen constitutional democracy with a focus on attaining gender equality, Ms Masiko asked for the candidate's understanding of the mandate, powers and functions of CGE as a Chapter 9 institution in terms of the Constitution and its enabling legislation.

Ms Masiko asked the candidate what her understanding of the role of a CGE Commissioner was.

Mr Mphithi asked for the candidate's view on CGE’s relationship with the private sector to fulfil the CGE mandate.

Mr Mphithi asked the candidate to evaluate CGE’s work and to identify the challenges. He asked how the candidate would deal with those challenges if appointed.

Mr Mphithi added that the candidate should be aware of the various reports published by CGE. He asked her to list one instance where society did not implement CGE's recommendations. He asked what she would do to deal with such an issue if appointed.

Ms Hlonyana noted a pattern in that the candidates of the day uniformly did not go into the details of their work and activities. It made the Members’ job much more difficult.    She requested the candidate specifically referring to her work experience when responding to her questions.

Ms Hlonyana asked the candidate if she had experience in advocacy, litigation and legislative or policy review. If so, she asked the candidate to provide details.

Ms Hlonyana asked the candidate if she had managerial experience. If so, she asked the candidate to provide details and highlight her specific management skills.

Ms Hlonyana asked the candidate about the skills she would use when the CGE Commissioners hit a deadlock to ensure that they overcome this and make progress.

Ms Sharif had done her internet research and noted the Free World Initiative in which the candidate was involved. She was impressed with the amazing work the initiative had done and encouraged the candidate to keep pushing in the fight against GBV.

Given the candidate’s experience in the sphere, how would she use those skills and experience to push for gender-based budgeting, gender mainstreaming, the empowerment of women, and the review of legislation to enable this to happen.

Ms Sharif asked to hear the candidate’s thoughts on the challenges facing women in South Africa in terms of the GBVF National Strategic Plan.

Ms Marekwa remarked that the candidate’s story was encouraging and was an inspiration to the women who were following these interviews.

She stated that the Constitution stipulates that all Chapter Nine institutions must be impartial and independent. She asked why the Constitution required this.

She asked the candidate if he regarded himself as an independent-minded and impartial person. If the response was yes, she asked the candidate to demonstrate why.

Ms Hlengwa asked the candidate if she possessed the leadership skill that the Committee required and to describe one instance that showed her leadership skill in organising and doing things professionally.

Ms Phiri asked the candidate what her strategies would be to enable CGE to reach out to rural women who possibly were experiencing the same if not worse situation because they were women.

Ms Phiri asked the candidate to name a few international treaties and which would be most suited in the South African context to combat gender issues. She asked the candidate what mechanism she would use to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system at CGE.

Ms Hlongo asked the candidate, if appointed Commissioner, how she would advise government departments and entities and the private sector about mainstreaming gender to achieve gender equality.

That concluded the interviews for the day and the meeting was adjourned.