Hon Chair, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon chairperson of the portfolio committee and hon members, women of South Africa:
Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind;
I would like to convey my deepest sympathy to the family, friends and relatives of the former NCOP Chief Whip, Comrade Nosipho Ntwanambi.
In a society such as ours where patriarchy is deeply entrenched and adversely affects the everyday lives of so many women, including women in the law, the strategic value of women's emancipation in positions of power and authority should not be underestimated because even the mere symbolism of their presence could bring enormous transformation and respect for women in society at large.
As we celebrate 20 years of democracy in South Africa, it is a perfect opportunity, not only to reflect on the achievements of women in justice but also to celebrate them and acknowledge the Department of Justice as an organ of government that upholds and protects the Constitution, whilst striving for a transformed and accessible justice system that protects social justice and fundamental human rights.
Prior to 1994, judges were appointed by the State President under section 10 of the Supreme Court Act. Years later, appointments were recommended by the Chief Justice. Knowledge of these processes, including their selection of candidates, belonged only to the inner circle.
Women of South Africa, this is the reflection of where we come from.
On 27 April 1994, the first day of South Africa's democratic election, the following was the race and gender balance of 165 judges: 160 were white men, three were black men and two were white women. At that stage, there were no black women judges in South Africa.
Today, in an open constitutional democracy based on the values of equality, freedom, human dignity and fundamental human rights, we have 100 black men, 49 black women, 71 white men and 21 white women serving our nation as judges. This means that we are bridging the gap to reflect the racial and gender composition of South Africa, as required by our Constitution.
The need for women in the judiciary and leadership positions cannot be exaggerated. Although we have come a long way, we must agree that it isn't enough. In processing justice and ensuring due sensitivity to gender- related offences, abuse, rape and domestic violence remain a challenge. This is despite the progress in access to justice that we acknowledge.
UThixo ke watyumba umntu omnye ukuze akhokele amaSirayeli awase kwilizwe lobusi. Wanika uMoses intonga, akazange anike nokuba ngubani na. Kunjalo ke namhlanje, i-ANC yasikelelwa nguThixo ngonyaka we-1994 ukuze ikhokele abantu belizwe. Yiyo loo nto kwiinkundla zamatyala nakuwo onke amasebe karhulumente kwafakwa amakhosikazi ukuze nawo abe yinxalenye yokunyusa umgangatho welizwe lethu elityebe kangaka.
Enkosi Nxamalala kuba nathi namhlanje singamakhosikazi sinesidima, kwaye siyavakala xa sithetha ngenxa yalo rhulumente. Kungenxa yaloo Moses oyi- ANC, ongurhulumente osezingqondweni, oneliso lokujonga, ongalaliyo nekusa unamaphupha ngabantu baseMzantsi Afrika. Siyabulela kwaye sinesicelo sokuba amakhosikazi mawabe ngathi ayafakwa kurhulumente.
Akwanele apho, nathi siyathembisa ukuba siza kuba ngamakhosikazi anezimilo nakwaziyo ukuziphatha kuwo onke amasebe esibekwe kuwo. Siza kubonakalisa intembeko singabandakanyeki kwizinto eziza kuba lihlazo kulo rhulumente wephupha labantu ukususela ngonyaka wama-2012, Qabane uLouw wena mntu ubona lo rhulumente njengongekenzi nto. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[God chose one person to lead the Israelites to the promised land. He gave Moses the stick, he didn't choose just anyone. It is like that even today, the ANC was blessed by God in 1994 so that it could lead the people of this country. That is why, in courts and in all government departments, women were appointed so that they could be part of uplifting the standard of living in our rich country.
Thank you, Nxamalala, because today we are dignified as women, our voices are heard because of this government. It is because of this Moses, the ANC, which is an outstanding and observant government, that does not rest and is always hard at work for the benefit of the people of South Africa. We are grateful and we also have a request that the number of women be increased in government.
That is not the end; we also promise that we will be women of stature and be responsible in all the departments to which we are deployed. We will be trustworthy and will not be involved in things that will bring our government, which has been people's dream since 2012, into disrepute, the same government that Comrade Louw argues it has not yet delivered.]
I'm sorry because my papers are not in the right order. So ...
... sikhumbula umama uLilian Ngoyi namanye amakhosikazi asivulela indlela emhlophe ukususela ngonyaka we-1956, sade sawongwa ngenyanga yoomama engu- Agasti esithi yakufika sizive ukuba nathi siyathandwa. Uthi nokuba sowunesithukuthezi, ubone kungena i-sms ethi 'ngale nyanga yenu, Malibongwe!' Utsho uncume ukhumbule ubutsha nobuntombi bakho.
Kuloo madoda asabulala abafazi ababathatha babase kwikhefu labo basandul' ukutshata ngeenjongo zokuzityebisa, nakulawo abulala abafazi ngosuku lwabathandanayo yenxa yomona ... (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[... we remember mama Lilian Ngoyi and other women who paved the right way for us since 1956, until such time as we were honoured with the month for women, which is the month of August, and when it arrives we also feel that we are loved. Even though you feel lonely, you will just receive an SMS that says: "In this month of women, we say Malibongwe - Let it be praised!" You then smile, reminiscing about your youth days and maidenhood.
To those men who are still killing women and taking them on honeymoon trips with the intention of enriching themselves, and to those who kill women on Valentine's day because of jealousy ...]
... our justice system must do something and ensure the law reform on bail, sentencing, victim empowerment, capacity-building and extending access to courts to the previously disadvantaged areas, and integrated responses.
In conclusion, the Minister of Women in the Presidency will create the necessary capacity to ensure a systematic approach in dealing with physical and psychological abuse, exclusion and other forms of discrimination that impede the development and progress of women.
Ndifuna ukuthi ke siyazibona zonke izinto ezibalulekileyo ezithe zenziwa ngurhulumente we-ANC. Sisajongile kananjalo kuba zisekhona ezinye izinto asaza kuzenza emva kwale minyaka engama-20. Masincedisane ke ukuze siqhubele uMzantsi Afrika phambili, singagxeki nokuba sesibona ukuba zikhona izinto ezintle ezenziwa ngulo rhulumente we-ANC.
Kuloo madoda asangxolela abafazi ngeenjongo zokubajongela phantsi ndithi bakhona oogqirha bengqondo [psychologists] ukuze afumane uncedo kuba amanye amadoda afuna oogqirha bengqondo kuba awakazazi apho akhoyo kwaye awakabi nantlonipho kubafazi.
Ndibukele utata ohleli apha ecaleni kwam obengxolela umfazi obemi apha kule ndawo, emngxolela ngeenjongo zokumjongela phantsi. Ndiqinisekile ukuba umfazi wakho phaya endlwini akakakhululeki, usacinizekile nguwe. Zama ke indlela yokufunda ukuba umfazi uphathwa njani na. Ungaphathi kakuhle le yakho kuphela, koko uyazi ukuba inkosikazi iyafana nenye. Ayafana onke amakhosikazi, nokuba amhlophe okanye amnyama. (Translation of the isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[I want to say that we do acknowledge all the important things the government of the ANC has done. We are still keeping a watchful eye because there are still things that the ANC must do beyond these 20 years of democracy. Let us work together in order to take South Africa forward, and not criticise for the sake of criticising, even when there are good things being done by this government of the ANC
To those men who are still verbally abusive towards their women with the aim of degrading them, I say there are psychologists who can help them because there are men who need psychological help, as they have not yet come to terms with themselves and they do not have respect for women.
I was watching this man sitting next to me screaming at the woman who was at the podium, screaming at her with the aim of disrespecting her. I'm sure that your wife at your house is not yet free; she is still being discriminated against by you. Learn how to treat a woman. Do not just respect your wife only; instead you must know that all women are the same. Women are the same, whether they are white or black.]
I thank you.
Masiqhubele uMzantsi Afrika phambili. Nawe, tata, uncedisane nenkosikazi yakho. Enkosi. [Let us move South Africa forward. You too, sir, must work hand in hand with your wife. Thank you.] [Laughter.] [Applause.]