Honourable Chairperson, One of the most powerful tools we have in overcoming the injustice of our past is education, specifically in fields that have traditionally been male dominated, such as mathematics and science. We need to be urgent and deliberate in advocating and encouraging more girls to participate in these subjects. STEM education can help bridge the gender divide and provide girls and young women with opportunities to improve their socio-economic status, and increase earning potential.
Honourable Chairperson, Here in the Western Cape, the Provincial Treasury has not only reached gender parity, we have exceeded it! I can say with pride today that 59% of Provincial Treasury’s staff complement is female – under the exemplary leadership of Provincial Treasury’s first female Head of Department, Ms Julinda Gantana. This group of women is responsible for managing a R84 billion provincial budget. I can confidently say that these women in finance are doing a remarkable job.
Provincial Treasury is not just being led by women, it is also actively involved in empowering women.
Through the Procurement Client Centre, we are actively involved in supplier development in order to broaden access to procurement opportunities for women and we’re hoping that we will increase the participation of women within SMME development in the procurement space.
Through the Department’s Bursary Scheme, 48 women were awarded bursaries through the External Municipal Bursary Programme to further their studies and equip them in financial governance in the 2023/2024 financial year. This is in addition to the 50 interns appointed across municipalities through the Municipal Finance Management Internship Programme who gain practical and formal training founded on the knowledge that they acquired from tertiary institutions within the financial management discipline.
The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board is also playing its part in women’s empowerment. I had the privilege of attending a Women in Gaming event earlier this month co-hosted by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and Women in Gaming Africa. The event was a coming together of women from across the gaming sector.
Women like, Gail Odgers: As the Head of Acquisition at Sportingbet South Africa, Gail focuses on cross-platform advertising to attract new players using both traditional and digital media. She ensures that all marketing materials comply with the advertising standards set by the Western Cape Racing & Gambling Board.
Tumelo Mokoena, Tumelo works as the Assistant Manager for Advocacy and Communications at the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation. Her role involves promoting responsible gambling practices through effective communication and managing related programs.
Michelle Salvador, as the Audit, Risk and Compliance Manager at Cape Racing, Michelle manages the Audit, Risk, and Compliance Department, ensuring adherence to Corporate Governance Principles. She monitors compliance with laws and regulations, including FICA, POPIA, and the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Act.
These remarkable women demonstrate the diverse and vital roles women are playing in the gaming industry. Their combined expertise and efforts have contributed to the over R1 billion in taxes and revenue generated by the industry which adds to the Western Cape’s Provincial Revenue Fund. The province relies on these funds for unforeseen expenses and to bolster our socio-economic programmes.
But in order to build the future of the Provincial Treasury, we need young girls to remain committed to their studies in mathematics and science. We need the next generation of innovators and leaders to be ready to become Finance Heads of Department, Finance Ministers, or CEOs of major gaming companies. To be our bankers, our economics, our accountants, auditors and even our AI specialists. So to the young girls wondering what it takes to run a R84 billion budget, how do we build the future of the Provincial Treasury – the answer lies in mathematics and science.
Media Enquiries:
Marshallé Frederiks - Media Liaison Officer
Ministry of Finance
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