by Gaynor Paynter

G21 Africa Columnist

To read this article in Deutsch, Francaise, Italiano, Portuguese, Espanol, Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Russian, copy and paste the complete URL ("http://www.g21.net/let22.htm") and enter it in the box after you click through.

Gaynor Paynter & her sons

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Greetings to all my friends.

Today's discussion entails a subject of interest to every human being, of any nationality. The topic is the role that women have to play in the new South Africa. For obvious reasons this is pertinent to females in South Africa. It is also relevant to men in South Africa because there is no man who was not born from a woman and who has no woman in his life, be it wife, mother, daughter, friend, or even boss. Indirectly, the South African woman question is also relevant to citizens of other countries because, in the economic chain, South Africa buys from and supplies your countries and the success of this country ultimately impacts on the financial situation of other countries.

And so to the crux of today's letter: What is the role of women in South Africa? This is a simple question with a somewhat multifaceted answer. Part of the solution lies in WHO the women of South Africa are. In a country with as many diversities and cultures as this country has (we have eleven official languages) this is a difficult question to answer. In South Africa, Womens Day is celebrated on August 9. Just who or what are we celebrating?

The South African female population (approximately 22 million people) is made up of urban and rural women, city dwellers, home makers, career makers, third world women and first world women. We have basic cultural and religious differences, and by race we classify ourselves for the most part in one of four categories: African, Coloured, Indian or White. There are further subdivisions. Nnine of the eleven official languages are African, indicating vast cultural differences within the African population - although it must be noted that many tribal beliefs and customs stem from a common source.

White South Africans are descendants mainly of settlers such as colonial immigrants - Dutch, German, French Heugenots and British - and in terms of language and culture differences there are two strains - English and Afrikaans. The term "Coloured" is rather contentious, and yet is still the most common description of those of interracial descent.

Coloured people, whose home language is generally Afrikaans, have formed their own cultures as part of their own racial sector, and much of the Asian population of South Africa is Indian by origin - they are the descendants of workers brought in to labour in the sugar plantations of what was then Natal.

Many of these different racial groups have their own religions and religious beliefs would include Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

Given this diversity of backgrounds, it is understandable that South African women would have some difficulties in learning to co-operate together, and yet, we are united by one indisputable bond - we are the women of South Africa and, as women together, we are by nature nurturing. We ALL want the best future for our children no matter what our background is and are willing to give all we have to ensure this.

The indomitable spirit of the South African female has long been evident. Her role in the liberation struggle has been an important one. As members of the African National Congress (ANC) and of allied organisations, South African women carried on military campaigns against pass laws, participated actively in the underground and armed struggle, etc., suffering restriction, impingement, torture and assassination in the 1940s and 1950s. In recognition of the struggle put up by women, the ANC formed the Women's League in 1943 and women's resistance was given an official name and face.

Not to be ne glected is the White South African woman of the same era who was brought up in a sheltered, closed-minded environment, and who, in facing the future in the New South Africa, has had to undo the stereotypical prejudices she had drummed into her as a child.

These are some of the events and cultures that have brought South African women to where they are today - a melting pot of individuals all aiming towards a brighter, better future.

Today there are common issues facing ALL women - the issues of education, equality in the workplace, violence against women and the prevention thereof, issues pertaining to successful homemaking, etc.. The days of the upper class "madam" talking condescendingly to her lower class "maid" are gone. Today we recognise each other as women working together towards a common goal - the success of our children, and in their individual success the success of our country as a whole.

In answer to the question about the role that women play in South Africa, a new South Africa which is in its infancy after a torrid, torn past, it can be said that women have a vital contribution to make in all arenas in order to ensure the healing and ultimate glory of our nation - politics, human rights, business development, sports, entertainment and investment all present opportunity for women to continue to succeed.

The list of influential South African women is lengthy and includes the likes of:

• Patricia de Lille, outspoken leader of one of South Africa's newest political parties, the Independent Democrats - she is a lone face in the tide of torrid male political competitors.

• Natalie du Toit, a teenaged disabled swimmer whose achievements include winning two Gold medals in the 2002 Commonwealth Games != she has shown us that difficulties can indeed be overcome and goals can be achieved in the face of obstacles.

• Nadine Gordimer, winner of the1991 Nobel Prize in Literature. Ms. Gordimer's winning of this Prize, at a time when South Africa's future was unstable amidst political unrest, proved to be unifying and uplifting to all.

• Miriam Makeba - famed South African singer who made a success of her career and an international name for herself during the apartheid era - showed that the will to succeed cannot be domineered by political circumstance.

• Maria Ramos, Chief Executive Officer of Transnet, South Africa's rail transport company. She is an influential decision maker of our time.

• Mamphela Ramphele, a South African World Bank Managing Director and political commentator.

• Charlize Theron, Hollywood actress and Oscar winner

It is to these statemakers and others like them that other South African women look for inspiration.

It is said that behind every successful man, there is a nagging woman. I would like to point out that it is the current trend for a woman to now put her energy into making a success of herself rather than nag her man to make a success of himself.

As in many previous instances, I close with the prayer: God Bless Africa, guide her leaders, and give her peace, Amen.