Eleven years into democracy, an enormous challenge facing South Africa is closing the gap between the rhetoric and the reality of gender equality. Since the advent of democracy, major legislative changes have been effected to ensure there is redress to the injustices of the past. This has resulted in a progressive Constitution. Also, there are policies in place that will enable organizations to close the gap between those who benefited from discriminatory policies of the past and the ones that were discriminated against. The focus of this article is on women in public management in South Africa, namely, the Public Service. It examines, inter alia, women and the struggle for equality; the influence of socio-cultural phenomena; the representation of women in the management echelons of the Public Service, both pre and post democracy. Finally, the paper offers strategies that can enhance the entry and advancement of women in management,