Van Der Schyff, Sihaam2026-05-182026-05-182017https://hdl.handle.net/10566/22513The dawn of democracy in South Africa (SA) in 1994 i.e. post-apartheid era came with inherent societal gender deficiencies and in all Sectors of the SA economy women experienced challenges. Specifically in the Banking Sector women were under represented in leadership and executive positions. The legal framework changed to correct the inequalities of the past resulting in various charters encouraging the private and public sector to transform. Today the advancement of women to executive positions in South Africa can no longer be viewed as an option but rather a requirement. The legal framework in South Africa places companies under pressure by compelling them legislatively to meet Employment Equity quotas as per the Employment Equity Act of 1988, the Labour Relations Act of 1996, the Financial Services Charter and other sector Charters. Corporate South Africa’s commitment to transformation and employment equity has led industries to establish charters that set out specific transformational goals in a particular industry. Despite the fact that the laws have changed and access to equal opportunities are available, the number of women holding executive positions in the financial sector has not increased at the pace that one would have expected given the country’s new democracy. Only 6.6% of CEO positions and board chairs are held by women (BWA, 2007), while the latest 2015 BWA survey states that in South Africa women comprise 51.2% of the working-age population, yet 45.8% form part of the employment workforce. Only 29.3% of all Executive Management positions and 21.9% of all Directorship positions are held by women.endemocracySouth Africapost-apartheid eraSA economysocietal gender deficiencieswomenThesis