The Board of Trustees of the Bertha Gxowa Foundation, drawn from the government, business sector and civil society, annually organize a memorial lecture which has become a way to celebrate our South African intellectual heritage and contribute to dialogue that encourages solutions to some of the challenges facing us as a nation.
In this section you will find links to all Memorial Lectures, past and present, with galleries and links to external sources marking these momentous occassions..
Memorial Lecture 2019 | Wits university
2020 MEMORIAL LECTURE
The 2020 Bertha Gxowa Foundation annual memorial lecture came at a time when our country and communities were facing extraordinary challenges due to the COVID19 Pandemic, the shrinking economy and growing unemployment. Given this moment in South Africa, the board of trustees believe it was necessary to engage leaders that have demonstrated a commitment to driving a unified, solution-driven approach to the challenges faced by enterprises in the country. After reflection and continued engagement with the women owned enterprises within our network the theme for the year was “Empowering Women owned Enterprises to respond to the new market economy”.
As we work together as a nation in redefining the new economic landscape, the experiences during the national lockdown have required a change in our approach, our efforts are not only directed at the recovery of enterprises but returning them to profitability, taking forward lessons learned in a COVID19 economy and the need for multi-stakeholder involvement. It is our belief that including leaders in government, the private sector including international non-government organizations such as UN Women will create a platform for rich dialogue. Our speakers for the day included Ms Anne Githuku- Shongwe (UN Women SAMCO) and Ms Philisiwe Mthetwa, the CEO of the National Empowerment Fund.
As part of our program year and the growing number of programmes we continue to rollout in Ekurhuleni, it was important to partner with the City of Ekurhuleni. It is necessary to focus on rebuilding enterprises for a successful and sustainable future, taking note of responsive policy work and practical interventions. Given that this program falls during the internationally recognized 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence, a conversation around economically empowering women is critical. Mama Bertha’s political involvement was influenced by the unions and informed her tireless work for progress in South Africa, she is remembered for having never been discouraged by her gender status in the face of patriarchy and racial oppression.
2019 MEMORIAL LECTURE
The Board of Trustees of the Bertha Gxowa Foundation, drawn from the government, business sector and civil society, annually organize a memorial lecture which has become a way to celebrate our South African intellectual heritage and contribute to dialogue that encourages solutions to some of the challenges facing us as a nation.
In honour of Mama Bertha’s commitment to promoting quality, sustainable enterprises, the 2019 memorial lecture held on the 28th of October which was Mama Bertha’s birthday and declared by Premier of Gauteng Mr David Makhura as Mama Bertha’s day, was dedicated to promoting her vision under the theme “Joining hands to promote job creation, alleviation of poverty and development of enterprises”. The focus on the day was to determine the factors needed to facilitate an enabling environment that is conducive for good governance, responsive private and public-sector investment in small businesses and their role in inclusive economic growth. Through dialogue with our keynote speaker the Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, attendees engaged in the QnA session on opportunities to create an enabling environment that is conducive for good governance, responsive public sector investment and inclusive economic growth of women owned enterprises. The programme of the evening highlighted how women continue to make strides towards becoming captains of different industries and the invitees of the day featured women who have transcended barriers to access and are well on their way to becoming industry leaders. As we move forward as a Foundation, our work should place a greater emphasis on unlocking women’s entrepreneurial spirit and place a spotlight on enterprises led by women that show resilience and sustainability in the economy
2015 MEMORIAL LECTURE - reference to IOL news article
On the 30th of May 2015, the Bertha Gxowa Foundation Trust hosted a memorial lecture at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg with a keynote address given by Executive director of UN Women and former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. On the day Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted concern on the current pace of gender reform noting that with current trends, estimates showed it would take 81 years to reach gender parity.
“South Africa is an exception, but we also have challenges in terms of political representation. The global average now is 20 percent for parliamentary representation. We only have 20 women heads of states in the world – out of 198 countries,” Mlambo-Ngcuka said.
“We have to lead with purpose. We are the first generation with the real possibility to end poverty, to end the balance of power between men and women. It is the mission of our generation,” she said.
“(Author) Frantz Fanon said every generation has a mission to fulfil or betray. So, between 2015 and 2030 – we need to identify game-changing initiatives, which will enable us to countdown from 2030. We know what the gaps are, the research has been done, we must hit the ground running. She said adolescent girls in South Africa continued to face “a silent crisis” because they remained targets of gender-based violence.
with reference to IOL news article: https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/mlambo-ngcuka-slams-slow-gender-reform-1865542
2012 INAUGURAL LECTURE - minister Dlamini-Zuma's address - reference to Gov.za and Polity.org.za
“Home Affairs Minister and Chairperson of the Bertha Gxowa Foundation, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Tuesday, 27 March 2012 addresed the Bertha Gxowa Inaugural Memorial Lecture at the Bertha Gxowa Hospital in Germiston, Johannesburg.
The establishment of the Bertha Gxowa Foundation comes within the context of the centenary celebrations of the continent’s premier liberation movement, the African National Congress. In this regard, during 2012 all our heroes and heroines who contributed to the country’s liberation were being honoured.
The inaugural Bertha Gxowa lecture, which was hosted by then Mayor of Ekurhuleni Mondli Gungubele, which was part of a series of events that culminated in the official launch of the foundation later in the year.
Participants in the evenings proceedings included, amongst others, former Deputy Minister of Health Gwen Ramagkopa, Deputy Minister of Education Hlengiwe Mkhize, Chairperson of Sasol and Bertha Gxowa Foundation Trustee Mr Maurice Radebe, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Group CEO Lulama Mokhobo and South Africa’s Ambassador to Italy and former Deputy Secretary-General of the African National Congress, Thenjiwe Mtintso.
The Bertha Gxowa Foundation is committed to contributing towards a society that nurtures a culture of vibrant discourse, reflection, acknowledgement and recognition of the role of women in the liberation struggle and other areas of society.
Accordingly, one of its foremost priorities will be to make visible and indeed, amplify, the hidden histories and contributions of women – known and unknown – and to integrate them into the centre of South African historiography.
As such, the Bertha Gxowa Foundation will serve as a flagship project aimed at laying a solid foundation for understanding, acknowledging and honouring the role in women in building sustainable communities and societies.
Source: https://www.gov.za/minister-dlamini-zuma-address-inaugural-bertha-gxowa-memorial-lecture
See also Reference to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s speech at the launch of the Bertha Gxowa Foundation