“Ms Tseleng Veronica Ramphoma, Public Relations Lecturer at VUT, shares her insights on gender equality, the role of women in leadership and the impact of this year’s Women’s Month themes, “She Shapes Tomorrow” and “Accelerate Action: Speed up Gender Equality.”
18 August 2025 | Story By: Ngomane Gracious | Picture: Supplied
2 minutes read time.
As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month in 2025, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) embraces the theme She Shapes Tomorrow, aligned with the national call to Accelerate Action: Speed Up Gender Equality. These themes highlight the pivotal role of women today and reinforce the urgency of advancing gender equality across all spheres of life.
Ms Tseleng Veronica Ramphoma, a Public Relations Management Lecturer in VUT’s Department of Tourism and Integrated Communication, shared her reflections on gender equality in the context of this year’s themes, offering both insight and encouragement to the women of VUT. A holder of a master’s degree in public relations management and an active member of the VUT Women in Research group, Ms Ramphoma is deeply committed to advocacy and to amplifying women’s voices within and beyond academia.
For Ms Ramphoma, gender equality means ensuring that men and women enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and responsibilities. She notes that despite years of advocacy, progress remains limited. She recalls the campaign launched in 2009 by the late Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, then Minister in the Presidency, which sought to promote 50/50 gender representation in decision-making structures. Although the campaign was significant, it was often misunderstood and oversimplified, detracting from its true purpose. “Ever since its introduction, nothing has changed,” Ms Ramphoma observes. “Men are still regarded as superior to women, especially in workplaces, churches, and wider society.”
She highlights persistent disparities, such as unequal pay scales and the influence of gender in determining leadership roles in professional and community spaces. However, she remains optimistic, pointing out that women in education and related sectors continue to challenge and reshape these narratives. She believes that this year’s national theme underscores the capabilities and potential of women to shape the future across all aspects of life.
Reflecting on the international theme of accelerating action, she recalls the proverb, “If you want to teach the world, teach a woman.” For her, this encapsulates the transformative power of women in building stronger communities, advancing knowledge, and driving progress in workplaces. “Everything a woman touches often turns to gold,” she affirms. “Women are naturally dedicated and committed individuals, and their contributions remain invaluable to society.”