Empowerment opportunity for black women

Johannesburg - The Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) and the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) have initiated a programme to move bright young black women from discourse to action, and celebrate the industry champions who are moving to action.

The programme, called Leading Women Creating Change in the New World Order, is open to black women working in advertising agencies from mid-management level and above.

The programme is intended to move personal and institutional efforts towards doing the right thing.

“By building on the big lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic, we can create the next new normal which is not only focused on diversity for the sake of compliance, but embraces and celebrates the value of previously marginalised and minority groups on the basis of race, gender, class, age, sexual identity, religion, culture and ethnicity,” the programmes; statement said. This course is designed and delivered by Shireen Chengadu, an academic and practitioner, expert in the field of women leadership, gender studies and building inclusive organisations. The course will be supplemented by the voices of men and women in various sectors who are championing true change and transformation.

In addition to contextual strategy and mastery sessions, the course will be complemented by coaching groups lead by professional coaches to enable the participants to refocus on self and the necessary building blocks to lay and navigate in order for them to reach their full leadership potential.

The programme encompasses a holistic approach in addressing personal and professional development, using an integral coaching model designed by expert coaches that focuses on inspiring individuals to reach their full potential in a way that allows meaningful shifts towards somatic, cognitive and emotional wellness.

Successful applicants will be expected to attend six one-day programme sessions between August 2022 and February 2023, details of which can be found on the application form.

ACA chief executive Mathe Okaba says: “To create empowerment opportunities we invite black women in the advertising industry to participate. The industry wants to create change and this programme will assist women in leadership positions shatter the glass ceiling, and also guide those who are unapologetic about bringing actionable and visible transformation to the ad industry culture.”

Only black women, as recognised by the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 (BBBEE Act), are eligible for the bursary. The B-BBEE Act defines black people in a generic term which means Africans, Coloureds and Indians who are South Africans.

The form is on http://acasa.co.za/wpcontent/uploads/2022/07/2022-Application-Form-Ash.pdf. It is to be sent to Sharon@acasa.co.za by 2 August.

NEws entrepreneurs have the winning Formula For business

A few years back, (or maybe more than a few!), students finished matric, chose to work or study, and then entered and followed a career. Employees could grow in a career through working 8-5 and showing loyalty and commitment. A burgeoning population, economic stressors and radical environmental challenges created the need for a new mindset and fourth IR skills and traits, one of which is entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship involves a shift in mindset. It is an attitude and approach that actively seeks out change, rather than adapting to changes that happen.

This mindset embraces critical thinking, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Says Leonora Swart, Financial Manager at Boston City Campus, “It’s about never being complacent. Growth does not happen in a comfort zone – whether personal or organisational.”

Boston Travel and Tourism Graduate

Ncumisa Mkabile is a farming success story. While she may not be working in her field of study - she is an excellent example of entrepreneurial success through making opportunities, reinventing yourself, and using the skills you acquired in your studies to grow your own success. An entrepreneur at heart, this newly appointed Afasa provincial youth leader is raising the bar as a farmer and community activist.

Want to work in a medical environment but don’t have the entry requirements to study a medical degree? A clinic or hospital needs varied skills to keep it operational and effective – everything from PR to marketing, bookkeeping to paralegal.

“What we are suggesting is that you use lateral thinking to work in the industry you want,” says Leonora.

Why is entrepreneurial spirit important?

Entrepreneurial individuals and businesses have increased productivity, better problem-solving, and fresher ideas. There is an idea that entrepreneur- ship means starting your own business because you couldn’t find a job or because you couldn’t afford to study” says Leonora. “For success, you need a foundation of tertiary studies - whether financial or bookkeeping, fourth IR such as the BSocSci – or even travel and Tourism like Ncumisa – ‘varsity studies are the best foundation for any successful business.” And then a fourth IR trait added to the mix -Entrepreneurship.

“An entrepreneurial spirit is a way of approaching situations where you feel empowered, motivated, and capable. Companies that nurture an entrepreneurial spirit encourage their employees to not only see problems, solutions and opportunities, but to come up with ideas to do something about them.” (Sara Sutton Fell, CEO and founder of FlexJobs, from Forbes.com).

Developing an entrepreneurial spirit requires:

1. Cultivating a belief that you can and do possess the ability to achieve: People who believe in their abilities actually improve their ability to complete tasks.

2. Envisioning success: Understanding what success feels like is the first step toward achieving it.

Leonora says that entrepreneurial people “don’t take no for an answer, like our CEO!” Entrepreneurial people think anything is possible, they think with-