A clear vision, work ethic and humble approach to her professional career has helped Dr Charnell Ruby Naidu earn the title commissioner at the Commission of Gender Equality. Dr Charnell Ruby Naidu
A clear vision, work ethic and humble approach to her professional career has helped Dr Charnell Ruby Naidu earn the title "commissioner" at the Commission of Gender Equality (CGE).
Naidu, 55, was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and recently began her new job.
Leaving behind more than three decades in the education sector, friends, colleagues and pupils was not easy but Naidu knew she had to take the next step.
The CGE is a Chapter 9 institution that was established in accordance with Section 187 of the Constitution. It promotes gender equality as well as the protection, development and attainment of gender equality in South Africa.
The former English teacher said the days leading up to her interview for the position were “nerve wracking”, and she often felt overwhelmed.
“Around February this year I was notified about the interview. I had to appear before a panel. I was nervous and a bit overwhelmed to be honest. But I remembered how hard I worked to get here and how much I wanted this, so it was mixed emotions. I got the job on September 17 and officially started on September 18," the Malvern resident said.
Naidu said her life had changed a lot since then.
"While it is exciting, there is a big level of responsibility that comes with it (the job) because we are accountable to Parliament. When I worked as a teacher, I was accountable to my head of department or the district head. Now it's a whole new ball game."
Originally from Wentworth, south of Durban, Naidu obtained a Ph.D in gender studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2023. Her thesis focused on male victims in gender-based crimes, among other aspects, including gender-based violence at higher education institutes.
She said she first noticed the gap in information during her honours and Master's years.
“We always were taught to be unique and find new areas of focus for our thesis. I first noticed the gap in gender studies during my honours and Master's years. Feminist violence was something I wanted to explore.
"Usually we investigate the male being a suspect but I investigated gender-based violence with male victims and female perpetrators and that was how I earned my Ph.D."
Teaching for 32 years at Montarena Secondary School was a wonderful experience, Naidu said, and retiring from the job to follow her new path was a bitter pill to swallow.
“Teaching was a wonderful experience. I started out with geography but after a short while, I taught English and never left. I have watched the times change in my many years in education. I got the opportunity to form so many close relationships with past pupils, colleagues and even made friends. Many pupils have come back after school and kept in contact with me.
“I think one of my favourite parts about English was Paper 3 (creative writing) because as a teacher, you get to see a side of children that they will never show or tell you about. Sometimes they write about their inner thoughts and feelings and you could tell when they are being sincere about something. While it is considered a creative paper, children often share their experiences through it."
The Malvern resident officially resigned from teaching at Montarena Secondary School to take up her new appointment as she could not give her 100% to both places.
Her husband, a civil servant, her son and daughter are all still coming to terms with her newfound lifestyle.
“It is a bit much to digest in such a short space of time. Everything happened quite fast, so we took on this new lifestyle one day at a time. This is an opportunity I have waited for. I am finally in a place where I can effect real change to the people who need help the most. The only thing I am sad about is that my parents did not get to see me grow to this level. I would have loved for them to share this with me."
As for the future plans of the commission, Javu Baloyi, spokesperson for the CGE, said they were bolstering education awareness campaigns at universities and workplaces.
Baloyi said it was time that the country not only introduced policies for GBV, but implemented them as well.
“We will also be calling for police and the National Prosecuting Authority staff to be properly trained when dealing with GBV cases. We often find GBV cases files not being treated in accordance with the law and dignity it deserves. As per our mandate, we want to create a society free of gender discrimination and inequality,” said Baloyi.
Advocate Olave Nthabiseng Sepanya–Mogale was appointed as the commission’s chairperson.
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