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NUUS
WOMXN IN POWER
HÄZZ
‘Stellenbosch Womxn in Business’ launched at SU
Häzz barista b(r)ou toekoms vir sy broer
ANINA VISSER
I
n the spirit of Women’s month this past August, a new women’s society was launched at Stellenbosch University (SU). Stellenbosch Womxn in Business (SWIB) was pioneered by two fourth year accounting students from SU and kicked off with an inspirational speaker series last week. Corene Van Rensburg, co-founder of SWIB, realised that there was a need to provide female students at the university with a platform that would equip them to excel in professional environments. Inspired by similar societies at universities such as Oxford and Harvard, Van Rensburg collaborated with Farai Mubaiwa, the SRc chairperson of women empowerment, to launch SWIB. “We want SWIB to serve as a network for enterprising female students who share an interest in business,” Van Rensburg explained. Mubaiwa, who is currently doing her honours in management accounting, said that women should praise and constructively criticise one another in order to develop. “As women we must continue to lift each other up as we climb,” Mubaiwa said. Mubaiwa hopes that SWIB will provide the platform for young enterprising women to network. Prof Rachel Jafta, chairperson of Media24 Limited and founding mem-
Photo: INGRID VAN HUYSTEEN
BUSINESS WOMEN Corene van Rensburg, prof Rachel Jafta and Farai Mubaiwa. ber of Econex, was the honorary guest speaker for the SWIB launch. She shared her personal journey as a woman in business and all the obstacles and challenges that went with it. She encouraged young women to grab opportunities when they arise and to be the drivers of new ideas. “Comfort is not good so find something that motivates you and keeps you going,” she said. Prof Stan du Plessis, dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, highlighted two obstacles that women often face once they enter the work place. “Firstly, the glass ceiling problem is that women are often welcome up to a certain level in business environ-
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A FIRST FOR AFRICA
Professor Nyameko Barney Pityana (71), professor emeritus of law at the University of South Africa and president of the convocation at the University of Cape Town, said South Africa is missing out on a society of intellectuals and the promotion of a thinking society, without black consciousness. “Why is it that there is so much interest at an intellectual level in Steve Biko, but very little evidence in society in general and public life of his influence?” asked Pityana, as he addressed students and staff at Stellenbosch University (SU) on Tuesday, the day after the anniversary of Steve Biko’s death. According to Pityana, black consciousness should become a tool for conversation and for understanding the South African society today. “I wish it was a tool for framing much of what we are doing in South Africa today, for framing the new humanity which we are pursuing and what our constitution is actually about, for recognising that there is no future in the unequal society that we are today. There is no future in a society that has large numbers of poor people. There is no humanity in a society that is racist.” Pityana added that neo-colonialism, neoliberalism, individualism and greed have destroyed the humanity of
South Africans. “The current government of the African National Congress lacks an intellectual frame in which it can move South Africa forward,” said Pityana, who, in an open letter written in 2013, asked president Jacob Zuma to resign. “Black consciousness could affect leadership and values. It would provide leadership with tools for assessing what values are needed in our society.” Pityana noted that there is “a growing influence and articulation of black consciousness, a growing readiness on the lips of many, particularly young people and scholars, and a growing number of studies that are being done on Steve around the world”. Biko’s grandson, Avela Biko (19), who is in his first year of a Bachelor of Arts degree at SU, was also in attendance. He said that, as a young South African, it was overwhelming growing up with the knowledge that Steve Biko was his grandfather. “I never got the chance to meet him. It was always hard to hear things about him, but it’s been a pleasure growing up, getting more information and getting to know him. “It’s a privilege to be his grandson, because he did a lot for the country and his influence is still felt today.”
ments and no further. On the contrary, the sticky floor problem is that women struggle to launch their careers and often get discouraged along the way.” Du Plessis said that through the launch of SWIB social justice was in action. “In an environment such as Stellenbosch where stereotyping is a great challenge, it is crucial for women to become leaders in society and business.”
“My broer het dié jaar sy BRekgraad by die Walter Sisulu UniverLoyiso Mkonto, ’n bekroonde barista siteit gekry,” het ’n trotse Mkonto by die Häzz-koffiewinkel in Ryne- gesê. veldstraat, het die kuns van koffie Mkonto was nog altyd lief was bemeester om sy broer se studies vir koffie en het by Origin Coffee koppie vir koppie te betaal. Roasting in Kaapstad begin werk. Mkonto het in 2014 die prys vir Dit is hier waar hy die kuns van die beste latté-kunstenaar in die Wes- koffie ontdek het en opgelei is as ’n Kaap gewen, wat deur die Spesialis barista. Koffie Vereniging van Suid-Afrika Justice Shamba, ’n kollega van (SCASA) toegeken word. Mkonto, het bygevoeg: “Koffie is Mkonto, ’n kuns wat “Ek moes egter my studies party mense wat grootgeword het staak omdat ek my jonger broer natuurlik kan in Queensbemeester en finansieel moes ondersteun town in die ander nie.” en nie meer my studies kon Oos-Kaap, Vo l g e n s het in 2005 Shamba het bekostig nie.” na Kaapstad hy self al baie verhuis om joernalistiek aan die geleer by Mkonto. Kaapse Skiereiland Universiteit van “Om ’n perfekte koppie koffie Tegnologie (CPUT) te studeer. te maak, kort jy passie, oefening en “Ek is lief daarvoor om koerant te konsekwentheid,” het Mkonto sy lees en sou veral oor die sake van die sukses verduidelik. dag wou skryf,” het Mkonto gesê. “Koffie is soos wyn, omdat jy “Ek moes egter my studies staak moet leer en bestudeer om die veromdat ek my jonger broer finansieel skil tussen ’n espresso en ’n amerimoes ondersteun en nie meer my cano te kan proe.” studies kon bekostig nie.” Mkonto het gesê hy sal graag in Sedertdien het hy sy broer al drie die toekoms weer joernalistiek deur jaar op universiteit finansieel onder- UNISA wil studeer, maar dat hy vir steun. eers gelukkig met sy werk is. ANINA VISSER