Acknowledging wonder women

THE year 2019 has come and gone with its highs and lows. One of this year’s inarguable ample highlights has been an unprecedented wave of wonder women’s achievements in South Africa and the world over.

Women of colour were crowned winners in five major beauty pageants around the world, with our very own Zozibini Tunzi becoming the first South African woman of colour to win the Miss Universe pageant.

I seldom categorise people’s success in terms of race, but this one, I had no choice in as this is profound. Women of colour have been at the bottom of our social fabric in terms of recognition of their hard work and input in our society, for a long time.

Seeing these beautiful, super-intelligent women being recognised and honoured for their drive is surely a cause of celebration .

In Europe, one of the beacons of democracy, Finland, a very peaceful, fairly egalitarian and economically successful country located in the Nordic region, has seen women enjoying a scale of political success unparalleled by any previous women contestants.

First, their government is led by five women party leaders and then they elected the world’s youngest-yet prime minister, a 34-year old woman. Then, 12 of their 19 cabinet members are women. The kind of meritocratic empowerment we must emulate in Africa.

In my community, I have wonder women to celebrate too. These women are in charge of arguably one of the most intriguing, well-kept museums in South Africa. The museum is in Simon’s Town, in more than 240-year-old buildings which exhibits pre-settlers history up to the end of apartheid. The museum is open six days a week from January to December.

These women have been excellently running it for over a decade. These are some of the many wonder women doing extraordinary work, diligently serving our communities.

The world would be a better place if we all embrace a genuine meritocratic empowerment and acknowledge, revere and emulate those doing wonders in our communities.

KHULANI MHLOPHE | Cape Town