Women cannot break through the glass ceiling in ivory towers of learning where the top jobs are still held in a vice-like grip by men at universities throughout South Africa – and on the African continent.South Africa has only six women in the vice-chancellor's hot seat.
But, she said several mechanisms for strengthening women's leadership in higher education requiring adequate resources were underway to tackle the anomalies. She revealed that the Department of Higher Education and Training, Department of Science and Innovation, as well as the National Research Foundation, have worked collectively to provide grants and support to train the different tiers of university managers from junior entry-level, academics, mid-level, academics and management, and management, as well as the senior level to create a pool.
“If you’re a black woman, it’s even worse because you, you’re not just dealing with patriarchy, you’re dealing with racism as well,” she said. “South Africa is a patriarchal society, and institutions of higher learnings were no exception to that phenomenon. “Not that women are not capable but the extent to which the are expected to succeed outweigh everything,” he said.
Chairperson of the Council on Higher Education, Prof Themba Mosia, said advancing women in leadership, especially in higher education, has remained a challenge for a while.“But the manner in which we have organised needs to undergo fundamental change.”