Women in Leadership:
Challenges or Opportunities, our choice!

When I stepped into my first teaching post as a young, qualified educator in the early 90s, I did so with cautious optimism. I was accutely aware of the fact that very little newly appointed teachers have the privilege to be appointed directly into a post due to the process of rationalization in education. To put it simply, thousands of educator posts at what was viewed the more privileged schools, were abolished in order to ensure equality across all education departments. Most new posts were filled in a temporary capacity and it cost hard work to stand out above thousands of other competitors. The fact that men were deemed the breadwinners of their households caused many women to be disregarded during recruitment processes.

In my experience over the past close to thirty years in education, in different roles and at times seriously disillusioning, was the unfair prejudice of men for especially promotion posts. Women had to prove themselves 300% more before being considered for promotion, despite qualifications, successes in the classroom and contribution over the entire spectrum of school activities. Notwithstanding many challenges, my enthusiasm to live my purpose in education was not tarnished. With every unsuccessful application, I worked harder, ensured that I attended as many courses possible to not only expand and improve my subject knowledge, but also to sharpen my soft skills continuously. I also viewed post-graduate studies key in improving my marketability and to elevate me above fellow applicants.

At the age of twenty eight I was appointed Deputy Principal at a secondary school after being frequently overlooked for promotion posts. This however did not mean an end to the extra hours and sacrifices, in fact, the pressure was unbearable at times.

Sometimes it's incredible to believe that I endured this for more than thirteen years even after acting intermittently as Principal for more than three years, but overlooked yet again when the permanent appointment was made. The prejudiced panel naturally found me too light and thought a bigger, heavier man is more suitable for the job. In 2005 I finally came to the decision to move on because I've reached my ceiling in the school environment and for my own sanity I needed to try something new.

Strangely, I was found capable enough as Circuit Manager of twenty six schools in our local district a mere three years after. Yet, even after this, there were those who questioned my appointment, including female colleagues, but what they were unaware of is that they drove me to aim higher. Unknowingly they actually became my greatest cheer leaders and I deemed it my duty to use every possible oppotunity to inspire
women to strive for their unique purpose despite many attacks.

I've experienced that the workplace can turn into a very toxic environment, very quickly, if you as strong, competent woman arrive on the scene. Often it is exactly those appointments made due to prejudice, that feel threatened and resort to intimidation, victimization and straightforward "bullying". Sometimes things get so bad it turns into character assasination, false complaints, unfair disciplinary action, which may lead to unfair dismissal. I've experienced all of these and lately I talk about this without holding back anything. In this way I motivate many other women to share their stories fearlessly. Unfortunately this particular aspect is the reason why many women rather still prefer the classroom above the office or the position at the head of the boardroom table. My advice to those prepared for the many challenges, if you are convinced that it is your calling and you are determined to live your purpose, do not allow anything to prevent you.

Now, allow me to speak to my sisters in leadership. Your position provides infinite opportunities for the development of our youth and women specifically. Your legacy lies in the upliftment of many more in your immediate and extended sphere of influence. If you should walk into a position with the attitude that you are important and may abuse your power solely to your own benefit and that you can walk over others, belittle or break them, you will expose yourself very quickly as a disappointment for the struggle for the empowerment of women. People remember how we make them feel, let us use these opportunities to improve the capacity of our communities and to develop women. I believe that the development of women contributes positively to the upliftment of comminities. Our current social-welfare issues can only be reduced if we attend to this important aspect of the empowerment of women. I've experienced that trust, confidence, determination, assertiveness, courage and resilience are cultivated through empowerment.

In conclusion...a woman that knows her worth is a force to be reckoned with, she is capable of anything she puts her mind to.

'Wakanda' need not remain but a dream!

In my opinion, Africa has the potential to be trans- formed into the magical  'Wakanda' the day talented individuals change their predominantly archaic and destructive, competitive mindset of arrogant entitlement, abusive exploitation driven and sustained by selfish, greedy capitalism and a desire to ensure that the balance of scale is always set on owning, not sharing the excessive resources available to all who dwell this planet and specifically this continent and each citizen in each country it hosts.

We reap what we sow!

I can hardly believe it's been two years since my last post!

I've been out of education for a full year in April this year. It's been a rough ride, this 2019 journey - after literally almost loosing my mind due to a deliberate character assassination attempt and endured intimidation and bullying in the work place, I had to make a difficult decision regarding my professional career and vowed never to allow anyone to get away with such a vile attack, despite deliberate warnings of the perpetrator's supposed "political connectedness".

It's mind boggling how many ballsless, spineless individuals are found in top management and executive positions, in this country due mostly to their "political, union or other positions or affiliations' - positions or affiliations misused either to get top jobs or to fulfil their career and lifestyle aspirations. Once in the position though, they realise their incompetence and serious shortcomings compared to those they must manage. This is when the B-monster raises its ugly head . 

To all the bullies out there -  acquaint yourself with the expectations before you pursue  career glory! Oh, and if you attempt to sink someone just because you recognise in them what you so desperately lack, rather opt to learn from them instead of conjuring up stories to justify getting rid of them. By doing so, you ignore Karma and the fact that nothing passes her. No matter how long it takes, she'll pop around to settle the score.

My Epiphany

An epiphany of something significantly magnificent!

The time is now,
The time is now!
Written on the clouds!
The words faintly visible from afar;
Then blown closer, clearer still,
The harmony in unison,
Accompanied by the wistling wind:

The time is now,
The time is now!

Why the poignant pause?

The birthing imminent!
The heart, the being replete, teeming, fraught, charged;
Abounding in pregnant professions!

The time is now,
The time is now!

Verna Stuurman 28/10/2017

Education Management: Mentoring and coaching, tools for Whole-school Improvement

I'm two months into the third year of my 'new' role as Curator/Acting/Mentor Principal for the Western Cape Education Department. A role that in every sense has been exciting and rewarding, yet extremely disillusioning at times.

One thing that definitely stands out for me during my pursuit for improvement, which is in essence a fact finding mission, is the power of familiarising oneself with the contextual nuances at play within the organisation, before attempting to change anything. The biggest mistake, I've discovered on this journey, is to make assumptions based on other's perceptions of what is wrong or right within the organisation or what was visible on the surface, either good or bad. In time and with the patience required, the heart of the organisation is exposed. Importantly, if positive change is to be affected, one has to first allow a proper evaluation over time, space and by observing the different roleplayers in action, in order to discover the realities in the life of the organisation.

One doesn't need too much time to identify physical needs or challenges, as a checklist can develop at first glance when it comes to the physical observed in a moment. My personal experience however taught me that this, the observable within the life of the organisation, though important, is a far cry from ensuring an effective and maintainable turn-around. It is that which lies hidden, beneath the surface that need to be discovered first before enduring and effective, corrective measures will bear reward. This discovery sounds far easier on paper than it is in reality. Learning orgaisations are dynamic and each come with a set of immensely challenging characteristics. For one, it involves people of varying levels of diversity, expertise, experiences, knowledge, values, soco-economic realities, commitment, passions, willingness to contribute and maybe most importantly, admitting the need for a positive turn-around and the acceptance of each individual's role in the process.

The characteristics of a team to facilitate this process with maximum results include passion, commitment, tenacity, resillience, goal-drivenness, healthy work ethic, diligence, selflessness and team spirit. In the absence of one or more of these character traits in the majority of the working team, no intervention, no matter how smart will have the desired effect towards a sustainable turn-around.

     "Valuable beyond measure are the team players who are willing to have a look within                        in order to change that which is evident outside as the destructive forces of the      
                     organisation. There's nothing more powerful than a synchronized,
                            needs-based and goal ditected team effort.'
                         

Theater for Life

On Friday, 3 March our learners had the opportunity to experience a live performance of the immensely talented young people of 'Theater for Life'.

This insightful production addresses relevant, contemporary issues like that our youth grapple with in their every day lives both at home and at school. The fact that all of these actors are youngsters, more or less their own age, makes the production so much more real for them. Issues like prejudice, favouritism, sexual abuse, sexuality, peer pressure, parent pressure, etc are some of the themes highlighted in the play.

What struck me was how learners of the four grades (Gr 8, 9, 10 and 12) represented responded to the question and answer session after the play. In fact, it was shocking that only two learners out of a group of 100 could find the courage to respond to the actors' questions after the play. It seems non of them felt confident enough to either ask a question or comment on what they experienced during the play. As I stood there confused and rather disappointed, realising that this was not due to a lack of interest, but much more possibly due to the fear of being made fun of by their peers for attempting to answer in English, although they were encouraged to answer in the language of their choice, or general lack of confidence, mostly due to too little opportunities like these created for them to speak or do this more often.

As I witnessed this, one thought came to my mind, create more opportunities for these young leaders to be exposed to and to portray what they ate capable of if given more opportunities to do so.

Final lap 2016

As I looked at class of 2016 this morning, I couldn't help feeling deeply saddened. I'm sad for so many reasons. Observing them I had an immense sense of loss. I doubt whether they realise how many opportunities they've allowed to go by unutilized. Opportunities that offered life changing experiences, ... ignored, unappreciated, missed, lost, gone forever!

My prayer is that on the eve of the most important exam of their life, they will be awakened by a much deeper sense of reality, knowing that they need to draw on every bit of strength within to resiliently rise above every circumstance posing a challenge to realising their short term goals of obtaining their senior certificates and in so doing unlocking the chances of a better life, beyond the restrictive boundaries of a life prone to all sorts of abuses, poverty, gangsterism, crime and all evils associated with these crippling realities. So help them God!