Bongo ntshangase | August 5, 2025
The state government is rewriting the future, and women are at the heart of progress.
In a world where gender equality remains lagging in both the public and private sectors, the Gauteng government is making deliberate progress in changing this narrative.
Its multifaceted approach, spanning economic inclusion, education, health and sourcing, demonstrates the understanding that empowerment cannot be silenced. It must be systematic, consistent and measurable.
One of the most notable changes is about economic participation. Over 41,000 women from Gauteng accessed job opportunities through the expanded public works program, and 18,261 were employed through the public employment program.
These numbers are not abstract. They represent women who are currently earning, contributing and sometimes leading. Importantly, 6,515 women in child support are associated with economic opportunities, indicating a significant shift from dependence on welfare to economic institutions.
Additionally, 224 emerging black women-owned companies were empowered through contracts and subcontractors, and 60 women-owned companies were registered in the public procurement system.
These measures are extremely important in addressing the systemic barriers women face when entering and thrive in the business sector.
However, these numbers also expose important gaps. Only 8.83% of the total procurement spending by the state government was sent to women-owned businesses, far below the 40% target. What's even more concerning is the decline from 12% the previous year.
This is not just a lack of statistics. It represents a missed opportunity to rebuild Garten's economy in an inclusive and fair way. If public procurement is one of the levers of conversion, failure to meet these targets will suppress the progression of its roots.
Clear shortfalls in procurement spending must be addressed with urgency, transparency and accountability. A R17.6 billion decline in spending on women-owned businesses is more than just a number. This is the regression of the fight for gender equity in businesses.
While the state government continues to create valid terms, business women need to seize opportunities presented by registering in the supplier database and strengthening their business capabilities to provide the products and services they need.
This should not be seen as a way of helping governments achieve their goals. It also unlocks women's full economic potential for women for the advancement of women, their families and the development of the Garten economy.
Women's education and Goten's commitment to skilled women is also fruitful. A staggering 40,679 women participated in the skill development program, with an additional 1,200 people specifically trained in how to access public procurement allocation for 40% of women.
In the 2024 National Advanced Certificate Examination, female candidates outperformed male counterparts in all quintiles. Of the 73,997 female learners who wrote the exam, over 39,000 completed their bachelor's degrees.
But even more impressive is the surge in girls who successfully performed STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects: 18.05% scored over 60% in mathematics, and 13.23% did so in physical sciences. These results expose longstanding myths about girls and science, suggesting a future in which Gauten women will not only take part in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but will lead it.
Empowering women also means controlling their health and reproductive lives. Gauteng is moving forward from increasing access to intrauterine contraceptives (21,090) to targeted reproductive health interventions (21,090) with just 10.3 people per 100,000 births, well below the national average. The HIV infection rate between mother and child is currently at 0.2%, making it an incredible victory in the battle against vertical infection.
There are also significant changes in teenage pregnancy efforts. Deliveries for girls aged 10-14 have fallen by 30%, while shipments for girls aged 15-19 have dropped by more than 3,000 in just one year. These benefits are not only due to rhetoric, but also real interventions such as the youth-friendly zone in the clinic and robust reproductive health education.
These achievements are commendable, but to assert that victory is premature.
Also, are these programs sustainable? Are they monitored for long-term impacts? Are women shifted to leadership, ownership and policy-making roles, or are they trapped in low wages and short-term opportunities?
The answer is what the state does next. Gauteng has laid the foundation. Now it must deepen the roots of transformation.
The previous task of the Gauteng State Government is clear. The transition from progress to parity means doing more than counting women in the program. That means counting women in all areas of society.
The Gauteng government is still committed to ensuring that August is not only a celebration of women, but a commitment to rewrite the future with women at the heart of progress and build a better future for everyone.
Ntshangase is the office communicator of Gauteng Premier
“Disclaimer – the views and opinions expressed in this article are the views of the author and are not necessarily those of the Bee Room.”
