The South African High Commissioner to Tanzania, Amb. Noluthando Mayende Malepe, has hailed the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Conference as a turning point for advancing women’s equality and empowerment across Africa.

Speaking at a high-level Power Table under the theme “Presence and Power: Women Shaping Africa’s Future,” Amb. Malepe highlighted women’s growing access to leadership roles, citing President Samia Suluhu Hassan as an example of inclusive leadership that promotes peace and conflict resolution on the continent.

The event, jointly organised by Women in Diplomacy (WiD) and the South African High Commission, coincided with Women’s Month and commemorated the 1956 march of over 20,000 South African women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria against apartheid laws.

Kaneni Mushi, Director of WiD, said the organisation aims to amplify women’s voices in diplomacy, leadership, and social transformation through knowledge exchange and mentorship.

The Power Table convened ambassadors, retired diplomats, and women leaders from Sweden, Finland, France, and Tanzania, including retired Ambassador Liberata Mulamula. Participants engaged with young aspiring diplomats, sharing lessons on resilience, integrity, and vision in leadership.

The gathering also fostered intergenerational dialogue, strengthening pathways for young women leaders and promoting inclusive leadership across Africa.