By Nangamso Mabindla

BUFFALO CITY'S special-programmes unit has launched a special forum - the aim of which is to boost the role of the municipality's women employees - at a function in East London

The committee, which comprises four women councillors and three women workers, is to tackle gender in the municipality.

The launch, which was held at the East London City Hall on Friday 14 May, was attended by: Farida Casoogee, the senior manager of the special-programmes unit in the office of the premier; the deputy executive mayor, Des Halley; Buffalo City's director of corporate service, Amanda Magwentshu; and several councillors and employees.

Halley, who welcomed guests to the launch, said he was pleased to be part of an historic occasion.

"It was for reasons such as this one that we formed the special-programmes unit: to create HIV/Aids awareness, serve the disabled and address gender imbalance," he said.

Halley said there had been success at the top reaches of the municipality. "At the top level 24 percent of employees are women, but we're still struggling at the lower levels. I'm hoping that with this forum we can address the issue."

The municipality had already appointed Sy Gourrah chief electrical engineer - making her the first woman and youngest city engineer in the country.

However, Sindiswa Ngomba, the political head of the special-programmes unit, said a lot of work was needed to give women an equal role.

"We only have one woman director - Ms Magwentshu - and a few general managers. We need to strike a balance here so we can say we've achieved our goal."

She urged women employees to take the forum seriously. "No one will take us seriously if we do not do it ourselves. I'm also sending out an invitation to our male counterparts to assist us," she said.

Casoogee, who was the guest speaker at the launch, said she was impressed that the municipality had taken a "huge step in ensuring that women were taken seriously in the workplace".

She called on employees to make the forum a success.

SOURCE: - Buffalo City