By Doreen Mokgolo
Colleen Makhubela, leader of the South African Rainbow Alliance (Sara), says it’s time for women to rise to the country’s leadership roles to address the challenges men have failed to deal with over the past three decades of democratic government.
Sara unveiled its 2024 election manifesto in Makhubela’s home village of Malamulele, Limpopo, at the Madabula stadium on Saturday.
This was an important moment for the four-month-old party, which has support from civic organisations, churches, community leaders and NGOs.
Makhubela, previously the sole Cope member in the Johannesburg City Council, was expelled from the party last year for leading Sara.
In conversation with Scrolla.Africa, Makhubela voiced her frustration at South Africa’s male-dominated leadership: “This country needs fresh leaders and ideas. The present group of male leaders has let us down, and yet we’re still hoping for miracles?”
She emphasised the public’s demand for service delivery, development, education, student funding, electricity, and access to clean drinking water.
“Over the years, we’ve observed men deliberately holding back strong women with the potential to break through the glass ceiling. Many women with leadership ambitions have been silenced, expected to follow rather than lead,” Makhubela said.
Sara’s manifesto rejects nationalisation, arguing it does not address the core issues facing modern industries.
Makhubela stressed the importance of protecting parastatals like Eskom, Transnet, and Prasa from threats by the ANC government.
“Nationalisation for the sake of nationalisation is nonsense,” she said.
Sara said if it came to power it would introduce an allowance to support female domestic workers by providing them with a subsidy to pay for childcare.
Pictured above: Sara president Colleen Makhubela.
Image source: Supplied
