This morning we pay tribute to the incredible women in our lives from the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and cousins in our families to the healthcare workers on the frontlines, the amazing work colleagues that always go out of their way to help and the formidable female leaders all around us from politicians to community organisers and activists. Happy Women’s Day from all of us at SAccess, we salute you.
This year Women’s Day marks 65 years since the immense 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings against draconian pass laws. But while we celebrate women across the country and their immense historical and cultural achievements, it would be remiss not to mention that dark stain that continues to plague the nation.
South Africa is at war with half its population as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) continues to be one of the greatest (if not the greatest) black mark against the country. Women live in fear in South Africa, scared that they may not arrive at their destination safely, afraid of being harassed, constantly worried about how a man is going to act towards them. This cannot hold. South Africa is said to have one of the highest statistics of GBV in the world, including rape and abuse.
The femicide rate is five times the global average at an estimated 12.1 in 100 000 victims each year. The stats are eye-watering and are akin to that of a country during wartime.
While our challenges are great, we are a resilient nation filled with hope and the possibility of what this country can be for women and not what it currently is. South African women must never lose their strength in this fight and cowardly men need to find their voices and speak up and take accountability for their part.
In his planned virtual address today, President Cyril Ramaphosa will give a one-year update on the implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP). The NSP was released last year to tackle GBV and femicide head-on through six pillars: (a) Accountability, Coordination and Leadership, (b) Prevention and Rebuilding the Social Cohesion, (c) Justice, Safety and Protection, (d) Response, Care, Support and Healing; (e) Economic Power; and (f) Research and Information Management.
On this Women’s Day, we are buoyed by the audacity of hope for a better nation, a safer nation for women and a brighter future for the little girls of tomorrow, for there is nothing more powerful and courageous than to be a woman in South Africa.
Here’s a roundup of the world’s top and most interesting headlines:
SA Business
SA women making strides in automotive sector – SABC News
Women-owned bank gears to help the unbanked – The Citizen
Cape Town entrepreneur reconfigures business model to keep afloat – SABC News
Global Business
Renault to explore hybrid vehicles with Geely – Reuters
China Telecom eyes $8.4 bn Shanghai IPO, world’s biggest in 2021 – AFP
Alibaba to sack manager accused of rape, according to memo seen by BBC – BBC News
Markets
Dollar Up, Investors Continue Digesting “Game Changer” U.S. Jobs Report – Investing.com
Asian Stocks Down, Investors Digest U.S. and Chinese Data – Investing.com
Bitcoin to $250,000, plus secrets from a market wizard – Business Insider
In-depth
State Security Agency, fingered by Lindiwe Sisulu for ‘harassment’ of department officials, finds itself under investigation for wiretaps – Daily Maverick
Four things that count when a South African graduate looks for work – The Conversation
You Need A Break: Why A Great Work Experience Must Include Recess – Forbes
*Download the news aggregator app SAccess, available on Google Play and the App Store, to stay on top of business and market news from around the world.
