Gender and Power Dynamics in South African Political Transitions: A Comparative Discourse Analysis

Recent political transitions in South Africa have highlighted gender disparities within power structures. However, studies often overlook these dynamics or present them without comparative analysis. A Comparative Discourse Analysis (CDA) will be employed to analyse texts and speeches by key political figures. The corpus includes official documents, press releases, and interviews from both male-dominated and female-led governments. The analysis reveals a significant underrepresentation of women in high-ranking positions across all analysed entities, with a proportion as low as 15% in the highest echelons of government during the transition period. This study underscores the necessity for gender-sensitive policies to ensure fair representation and equitable power distribution in South African political systems. Future research should incorporate more diverse voices and methodologies to provide a comprehensive understanding of gender dynamics in political transitions. Policy reforms are recommended to enhance inclusivity.