Positive strides made in women management positions in the city
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Date: 2025-02-20 15:35:21

Positive strides made in women management positions in the city

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 FEBRUARY 2025
 
POSITIVE STRIDES MADE IN WOMEN MANAGEMENT POSITIONS IN THE CITY  
 
The City has made tremendous strides in addressing workforce gender imbalances  and ensuring women representation in management positions in the workplace. These notable gains were  welcomed by the Governance and Human Resources Committee at its meeting on 14 February.
 
Deputy City Manager of  Corporate and Human Capital Kim Makhathini presented the Employment Equity Progress Report for 2024/25, which  affirms the development the City has made to advance women in the workplace. The report shows significant progress made in the female representation at the top three management level.
 
“While we acknowledge that there is still more to be done, we are excited about the progress the City has made thus far,” said Makhathini.
 
She said this is an indication of the City’s tireless effort and hard work to address obstacles in the advancement of women at every level in the City. “We ensure that appropriate policies and programmes are implemented to promote diversity and inclusion, provide support, and address unconscious biases in hiring and promotion in the workplace,” added Makhathini.
 
For the current financial year, the City has developed a target plan for the top three female management level. For TK 19-25, the target is 60 but currently is at 46; for TK 16-18 the target is 175 and is currently sitting at 195, meaning the City has exceeded the target. For TK 14-15, the target is 502 and has reached 445.
 
Between October and December 2024, the City recruited about 535 candidates citywide - both male and female. Of the 535 candidates employed, about 304 are female.
 
Chairperson of the Governance and Human Resources Committee Councillor Nkosenhle Madlala said the progress report is exciting, particularly the improvement in gender imbalance. “This is an indication that the City’s leadership is realising the role women play in society and in the working environment.”
 
"We are prioritising increasing women in leadership positions by capacitating them with the necessary skills that will enable them to penetrate management positions," he said.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit