South Africa’s female headline makers are showing their support of the 7% Tribe, the new movement to advance and empower South African women in the workplace.
The movement, which takes its name from the scant 7% of executive positions which are held by females in South Africa, is being launched on Friday August 31.
Hosted at The Shed at Steyn City, guests at the event will have the chance to participate in a debate around pressing issues affecting women in the workplace, led by a panel of imminent South African businesswomen, entrepreneurs and pioneers and mediated by Azania Mosaka and Masechaba Ndlovu. The event also includes fantastic networking opportunities, entertainment by Donovan Goliath and concludes with a five-star gourmet dinner.
Many of the country’s foremost female leaders have committed to the movement, ensuring that women from every sphere – from politics to science and entertainment – are represented in the Tribe.
They include the likes of Faith Khanyile, CEO of WDB Investment Holdings, and groundbreaking scientific researcher Professor Glenda Gray. Refilwe Ledwaba, founder of South African Women in Aviation and Aerospace Industry, is also lending her voice, along with the Director of the Teddy Bear Clinic, Shaheda Omar, and leading entrepreneur Shamila Ramjwan of Famram Solutions.
Other high-profile supporters include Futhi Mtoba, Chairman of Deloitte Southern Africa, Bojana Segooa, a senior lecturer at Unisa’s Department of Financial Accounting, Nonku Hlongwa, CEO of Surya Power and Director of Nandi’s Women Investments, Thembi Chagonda, managing director of Global Business Solutions and a Board member of the Association for Skills Development in South Africa, and Regina Gouden, provincial manager of Small Business at Nedbank.
Corporate South Africa has also demonstrated its enthusiasm for this worthy cause, with several of the country’s leading businesses purchasing tickets so that female staff may benefit from attending the event. Among their number are First For Women, Envisionit Capital Solutions, Werksmans, Transnet, WSP and SAICA.
“We’re delighted to see that the issue of female advancement has been embraced by individuals and companies alike,” said Tammy Menton, Group Head of Marketing and Events at Steyn City.
“It’s time that South African women are given a platform and a network to support each other and, in so doing, help drive each other forward,” said Cheeky Media’s Janez Vermeiren. They point to UK statistics which show that places with greater gender diversity are 12% more likely to outperform the industry average – and yet, even internationally, the issue remains unsolved, with gender and ethnic discrimination costing the UK £125.6 billion.
The 7% Tribe is aiming to make this a reality by rolling out a variety of events every month, including speed dating-style mentorship workshops, an online networking facility and regular informative articles in publications, programmes and websites from media partners, including Independent Media and The Morning Show.
Source: iol.co.za