Newsroom

By Samson Mabunda

As this week marked the end of March, let us celebrate women of Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD). Remember, we did not celebrate them on 8 March during the International Women's Day.

Let us recall that it is on this day that gender parity is promoted. By the way, gender parity is equal to our daily term “gender equality.” I am now tempted to speak about equity.

As the LDARD, let us give ourselves a pat on the back for we have our top echelon composed of female leaders. We should celebrate our Executive for this as there’s an expression saying, “charity begins at home”.

Just think about it.  Our purse is under the safe hands of our CFO, Maria Nkatingi. Human Resource Management is led by Mpho Mashamba on the 2nd floor, whereas Research and Colleges’ Chief Director, Lucy Seabi is just neighbouring Temo News production room on the 3rd floor. The 6th floor is the most decorated since MEC Nandi Ndalane and HoD Jaqueline Maisela reside there with Strategic Management Chief Director, Dr Melinda Labuschagne as well as the CFO, Maria Nkatingi.

Maybe having had seven female MECs including our current MEC in the lead is the good omen for achieving such equity. To all female officials from the MEC to the cleaner or from bottom to the top, we acknowledge you for contributing hugely to the department.

So, we are reminded of the old African proverb that says, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a family (nation).” The same point could be said about our young women colleagues.   Do you remember the phrase, "If you educate a boy, you train a man? If you educate a girl, you train a village?”