A Situational Analysis of Women’s Leadership in South African Politics

Abstract Women are under-represented in South African’s political decision-making structures and processes. The literature review explores various factors responsible for suppressing women’s participation in the political context, such as social (stereotypical mindset) and economical (financial dependence), which are deemed the most dominant ones. However, the lack of political will is a factor that cannot be ignored. This shows in election manifestos of various political parties where the gender mainstreaming aspect is missing. Drawing from the empowerment approach of the feminist theory, the findings revealed that women's participation in local government politics is still to be achieved due to limited opportunities for women, and negative attitudes toward politics, including the politics of patronage. The conclusions derived from the desktop study indicated the need for gender diversity and inclusivity in government departments that include courts, executive and parliament. Allowing women to define their destiny in the political sphere helps ensure women's representation and gender equality. Recommendations are offered to the government of South Africa to raise awareness of gender equality and empowerment, which is crucial for creating women's participation in local government politics and vital for attaining inclusive communities.