Ramaphosa: ANCWL must lead economic empowerment of women
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the new leadership of the ANC Women's League to focus on social and economic empowerment.
Sisisi Tolashe was elected president at the league's elective conference in Johannesburg, beating former leader Bathabile Dlamini.
Delivering the closing address on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa said some women wanting to apply for credit or loans still face obstacles.
He urged the organisation to promote financial literacy to support women who want to start their own businesses.
"There's one country on our continent where it was reported that women own and run up to 45% of the business enterprises in that country.
"This is what I would like to see here in South Africa so that women are the ones who run more and more companies."
Ramaphosa said education and skills training are crucial to closing the economic gap.
"We must ensure that girls and young women participate equally in all areas of education, especially in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and so on.
"There is proof that girls and young women are seen to be much harder workers and more clever than young men in various schools. So this is something you must foster."
