Women, let’s own this year

Can 2018 just be the year of the woman, not the year of another male figure? Can it be a year where the woman has the opportunity, the potential and the ability to rise far beyond what is expected of her and more?

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma lost at the ANC elective conference – but she gave women the belief that leadership was indeed possible… In 2018, in all spheres, can we carry the baton and just run with it?

But there are more industries that women in South Africa need to champion. The beauty industry is led by men. In the music industry, we buy into the personas created around women – managed and produced by men.

As women, we demand to be taken seriously but we seldom take the centre stage, fighting for it at all costs. When doors are not opened for us, we refuse to break them down.

Once Basetsana Kumalo and Connie Ferguson step aside, who steps into their shoes to represent our demographic? We are so content with being in front of the camera that we forget that there are bigger and better things to conquer behind the scenes!

As women we ask to be seen as equals; as capable – but we seldom show our might. We want to question why, given the same circumstances, a man would have less stumbling blocks …

Perhaps we are not invested in because we are not bankable? Because we have shown ourselves to be too emotional, giving up too early – notwithstanding the pressures that come with industry. Here we are, churning out slay queens, would-be-trophy wives – happy if we can get the most popular man in town!

In 2018, can we redirect our focus? A weave will not put food on the table and data will not pay off the Nsfas loan. Eyebrows on fleek will not keep the lights on…

While I am not against being beautiful, I always wonder why we cannot be beautiful without being productive, why we cannot slay without breaking the bank.

Can 2018 be the year that the abused woman can actually leave the abusive man because she is sure of herself?

Can 2018 be the year that we come into the power of being women?

Women, can we own 2018? Make that a New Year’s resolution!