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South African Higher Education Criris on Rising Women in Positions
Mogoshadi Lynah Msiza
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DOI:10.17265/1539-8080/2026.01.006
University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Post democracy after 1994, women in South Africa were appointed at leadership positions in all sectors, specifically higher educatrion. Before the year 2,000, in most organizations, women were underrepresented in positions due to men domination and previous discrimination of women. The study seeks to analyses aspects of Women’s positions, which gives them a stable and secure position in the higher education, beyond walls of previous gender discrimination. Women who dominate holding positions offer distinctive viewpoints that contribute to workplace positivity, innovation, and decision-making. This study examines the challenges faced by women in their leadership positions and the influence of higher education practices. This investigation employs a secondary research methodology. A variety of reference sources, such as books and prior research, in order to establish a theoretical framework regarding women’s leadership was applied. Content analysis is employed to synthesize and interpret pertinent data from sources published within the past decade, thereby guaranteeing the reliability of the information through expert commentary. The study finds that approximately 50% of rising women perceive barriers that prevent women for entering management positions and lower advancement rates for women. Women in leadership bully and humbles younger black females in subordinates’ positions. The lack of mentors, lack of supportive policies and practices, overrepresentation in decision-making hampers women progress and Narcissistic behavior of women in leadership. The recommendation of the study encourages organizations to aim at good training programmers, strategies involve survey to know how subordinates are treated at work, leadership programs for women, and flexible work arrangements. Women in top positions needs skills, such as high emotional intelligence, empathy, democratic leadership style, sincerity, and ability to make decisions under critical circumstances. This study will contribute to influence the future of the organization to progress women leadership.
women, leadership, effectiveness, career, future
Mogoshadi Lynah Msiza, South African Higher Education Criris on Rising Women in Positions. US-China Foreign Language, January 2026, Vol. 24, No. 1, 39-47 doi:10.17265/1539-8080/2026.01.006
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