Flanders celebrates Women’s Month by inspiring the next generation of leaders

by Anisha Pemjee

The Delegation of Flanders in Southern Africa marked Women’s Month with a leadership event in Pretoria that brought together women leaders and Grade 11 and 12 learners from Hoërskool Silverton and Vlakfontein Secondary School. The event, held under the theme “Inspiring Change: Celebrating Female Leadership”, used dialogue and mentorship to connect young people with women who have built careers in government, diplomacy, media and literature.

Opening the programme, Thomas Castrel, General Representative of Flanders to South Africa, reflected on the significance of the Women’s March of 1956, when thousands of women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the apartheid government’s pass laws.

“South Africa commemorates the 70th anniversary of the historic women’s march of 1956, a defining moment that continues to inspire generations of women and men,” Castrel said.

He noted that while South Africa had made progress in advancing the representation of women in public life, barriers to equality remained.

“Many women encounter barriers that are less visible than legislation or policy,” he said.

Castrel said the challenge of achieving equality extended beyond government policy and legislation. “Across the world governments, institutions and societies are working to ensure that talent and ambition, not gender determine who gets the opportunity to lead,” he said.

The event brought this issue directly into the experience of young people. Learners participated in discussions with a group of accomplished women, including Gauteng Provincial Legislature Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe, Botswana High Commissioner to South Africa Dr Sanji Monageng, author Mpho Boshego and other women leaders.

The learners were able to ask questions about careers, leadership and the challenges the speakers had encountered in their professional lives.

Dr Monageng, an international human rights expert who previously served as a judge and First Vice-President of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, was among those who particularly inspired the learners. Boshego also attracted considerable interest as a published author and former South African diplomat.

For Castrel, however, the purpose of the event went beyond celebrating successful women.

“The purpose of the event is not simply to celebrate accomplished women, but to connect young people with role models, broaden horizons and encourage the next generation to pursue their ambitions with confidence,” he said.

Gabriella Dlamini from Hoërskool Silverton expertly served as the Programme Director for the afternoon's networking session. Learners Faith Mawela and Promise Motshetshe from Vlakfontein Secondary School, as well as Lumka Maeko from Hoërskool Silverton reflected on Women’s Month and their aspirations for a future based on equality and opportunity. 

Castrel told the learners that they were at an important stage in their lives, when decisions about education, careers and personal ambitions begin to take shape.

“I really hope you discovered new opportunities, that you met inspiring role models and perhaps even started imagining possibilities you had never considered before,” he said.

The event was organised in partnership with The African Show Coalition Institute and the Gauteng Department of Education. Its interactive format was designed to give learners an opportunity to engage directly with women who had achieved leadership positions in different fields.

Castrel said meaningful progress on gender equality depended on creating practical opportunities for young people.

“Progress towards equality is not achieved only through policies, legislation or statistics, it is achieved when doors are open, when opportunities are created and when young people are encouraged to believe in their own capabilities,” he said.

The Women’s Month programme therefore connected the legacy of the women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 with the aspirations of a new generation.

“Today we have seen accomplished women share their experiences, we have seen learners engage with confidence and curiosity and we have seen how dialogue between generations can inspire change,” Castrel said.

For the Delegation of Flanders, the event was a practical expression of its commitment to youth empowerment, gender equality and inclusive leadership. It also demonstrated how the legacy of the 1956 Women’s March can continue to influence young people by ensuring that the next generation has access to role models, opportunities and the confidence to pursue leadership.