By Nangamso Mabindla
6 August 2004

SPEAKING at a packed East London City Hall on Thursday, 5 August, the chairperson of the recently launched Buffalo City Women's Forum, Councillor Sindiswa Gomba, marvelled at the municipality employees' commitment to the success of the organisation and Women's Month celebrations.

"It's about time that women stood up to be counted in this organisation. We need to be at the centre of service delivery and work hard for the benefit of our communities," said Gomba.

Gomba added that the day was not only about celebrating women, but was also about celebrating life. She also referred to the late Des Halley, Buffalo City's deputy mayor who died on Wednesday, 4 August.

"He always supported the empowering of women," Gomba said. "I remember he was present at the launch of our forum. He was supposed to do the welcome here today. We need to include him in these celebrations."

She urged all women in the municipality to be part of the celebrations this month. "It's our month; we need to appreciate that and participate to ensure success."

Guest speaker Nomsisi Tolashe - a member of the provincial government - also paid tribute to Halley's involvement in women's issues and urged that Women's Day be dedicated to Halley's life. "He held women issues close to his heart."

"We need to make this day a success in honour of Mr Halley. He truly was a great leader who was committed to women emancipation. Let us celebrate his life by working hard in fulfilling our responsibilities in the institution," she said

Turning her attention to the significance of the day, Tolashe said it was a day especially designed to unify the women of South Africa.

"If you look at our past, women were divided but we now stand here - 10 years later - as a united people. It's really a pleasure to see people from different races and backgrounds gathered here to celebrate this all-important day."

The day would also acknowledge the success of women in the first decade of democracy. "It warms my heart to see so many young faces gathered here. I believe we need to have more of these forums around the province," Tolashe added.