African Women in Leadership International Conference 2022

African Women in Leadership International Conference in South Africa

Premier’s note

IT IS with a deep sense of honour on behalf of the government and people of KwaZulu-Natal that I say a few words of welcome to the local and international delegates to this conference of the African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO).

What an exciting moment for me to be in the presence of some of the most inspiring and amazing women leaders on the African continent.

The leadership and accomplishments of all the women leaders, Vice-Presidents, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Speakers, MECs, top bureaucrats and corporate industry captains, present here today, is a testimony to their audaciousness and resilience.

You are not just amazing women leaders, you are incredible leaders!

Addressing the opening of the Conference of the Women of Africa and African Descent, Dr Kwame reminded the women of their singular importance to the liberation of Africa.

He said and I quote: “There is a great responsibility resting on the shoulders of all women of Africa and African descent. They must realise that the men alone cannot complete the gigantic task we have set ourselves. The time has come when the women of Africa and of African descent must rise up in their millions to join the Africa crusade for freedom.”

It was at the same conference at which Shirley du Bois, the wife of the WEB du Bois, made an passionate plea to the women of Africa and I quote: “This great giant Africa, which was anaesthetised for so long, is now awake and has shaken itself out of the slumber that for so many years enabled exploiters and marauders to plunder its wealth. The new African has arrived on the scene. Colonialism and imperialism are on the run, fleeing from the blows of African irredentism. What is woman’s part in the great struggle

for African liberation?”

Indeed, here in South Africa following decades of struggle, on August 9, 1956, 20 000 South African women marched against racism and national oppression in Pretoria. This set the stage for a broadening of the mass struggle against the exploitation and repression of the apartheid system and cemented the role of women in the Struggle. Within the ANC as an organisation there was a process of radical and historical transformation that mirrored the development of the nationalist and continental movement to accommodate women in the front leadership. As AWLO declares: “We envision a world where women take their rightful places as home and nation builders with equal opportunities and equal access in all areas.”

All over the world women of African descent from all generations will find in AWLO not just an organisation, but a warm home in which their true potential can be realised through close interaction with other women.

This gathering is also best placed to trigger the mobilisation of women all over Africa to join and lead their own second liberation, which is the struggle for economic freedom. This is aptly captured in the conference theme which is “Women Solidarity: An Impetus to the advancement of Gender Equality”.

This is your home not only for the next few days, but even in future when you come visit.

We look forward to welcoming you again and again in the near future as leisure and business visitors.

Most of all welcome to the future where we will over the next few days, certainly build new castles with our hearts, and fashion new and exciting adventures with our heads, hands and minds.

May I take the opportunity to wish you the best in your deliberations. – KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube

African Women in Leadership International Conference gets warm welcome

KWAZULU-Natal and Durban gave its signature warm welcome to the African Women in Leader ship International Conference that took place between 15 and 16 September 2022 at the newlyopened world-class Radisson Blue Hotel in uM hlanga, Durban,.

The conference was organised by the African Wom en Leadership Organisation (AWLO). Its theme was “Women Solidarity: An Impetus to the Advance ment of Gender Equality”.

Delegates converged to tackle the perennial soci etal scourge of gender inequality and to help equip women to stake their rightful claim in leadership positions across the spectrum.

The event was attended by 500-strong delegates from across the continent. Some joined virtually from as far afield as Nigeria, Liberia and Cam eroon.

Dr Elisha Attai, the Founder of AWLO, expressed his heart-felt appreciation to KZN and Durban for accepting his request to host the 13th instalment of the conference.

He said: “Women owe each other support”, adding that: “Women have so much to offer the world.”

EThekwini Municipality Mayor Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda and KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube took turns in welcoming the delegates and all attendees to the Kingdom of the Zulu.

Kaunda said that the conference could not have come at a better time, soon after the appoint ment of the first female premier in the province. “On behalf of the people of eThekwini, it is a great honour and privilege to welcome you to our city. We are deeply humbled to be amongst so many great women leaders and we hope young girls and women across the city will be inspired.

“Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube’s premiership has ushered a new era in our province where women occupy strategic leadership positions in all sectors of the society. For example, as men, we also have a big role to play in helping our girl children, sisters and wives reach their full potential, removing all the obstacles that tend to block women’s progress. At a societal level, we must teach both boys and girls about the importance of gender equity.

“Again, we would like to welcome you all and wish you a successful conference. We are confident that you will have frank and robust discussions which will move the gender equity struggle forward.

Dube-Ncube said: “We wish to welcome you to the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the birthplace of the African Union, which came into being in Durban in 2002, and where the vision of the African century was visualised. Our common destiny joins us at the hip with you, the daughters of Africa, who want this, the 21st century, to be a story of a thriving Africa. For Africa to thrive, women must take centre stage and lead because when women lead Africa wins! “From its humble beginnings in the streets and boardrooms of Accra, Ghana, the African Women Leadership Organisation has become the premier forum for women from across Africa to network, educate, support, lead and agitate for the assumption of leadership by women in both public and private platforms and sectors.

“Since 2009 AWLO has become the glue for bringing us together, and the solid foundation for building of leadership capacity among women everywhere, challenging every female to aspire to leadership positions in their communities, countries and globally.

“Having traversed almost every part of the continent including being held in the USA, we are pleased to have this conference back on our shores.”

With the formalities of the welcome conclude, the stage was set for the robust engagements over two days, marked by high-level panel discussions, exhibitions, a gala dinner and awards ceremony.

No compromise on 50/50 representation

GENDER inequality remains high in this continent, and progress towards achieving an equal society is stagnant. It is a missed opportunity for many women on the continent and that has delayed growth prospects in our society.

Caribbean author and cultural practitioner Sandra Sealy in her collection poems, Chronicles of a Seawoman, had this to say: “Women have always had to be creative about making limited resources work to sustain themselves and their families. They understand what it means to make the hard decisions and to just get on with it. That is why it is imperative for women not just to be ones dusting off the table but crafting its legs for the world to stand on.”

These words give us a real description of an African woman in leadership. We have at all the time stand up (to) ensure (that) our voices are heard in a population where women ideas are often shot down.

We have many papers often presented by our academics and researchers in an attempt to influence change in societies. However, a big question that we should ask ourselves as women leaders is what happens to all solutions provided by those researchers and resolutions for different conferences.

Gatherings such as this one are aimed at developing women and should never be a talk shop, but must come with (tangible) policies to advance the agenda of African women.

Indeed, in this country, we see many women in political positions, but we believe that all political parties should take a leaf from the ANC to make it obligatory for women to be in critical positions.

In fact, as women leaders, we must advocate for the Independent Electoral Commission not to accept a list of political parties to national, provincial, and local governments that don’t have 50/50 representation. We need to apply more energy to force all political parties to respect women.

We want to commit ourselves to contribute immensely to strategies that are set to change women’s future leaders.

Some of us are leaders of women’s organisations as I’m also leading in the ANCWL that always champions women’s agenda. It’s important that we wipe out the narrative that seeks to indicate that in order to lead you should be of a particular gender or (be a) man to be precise. Women can lead and need no favours. At all times, we should walk tall with pride because the positions we occupy are a result of our hard work.

As we stand before you today, my journey as an African woman in leadership is a clear demonstration. I was one of the first female councillors in this province who was nominated in absentia in a meeting. By that time, it was taboo that a woman can be a councillor and lead in a traditional area. But we led to the satisfaction of the residents who trusted us with the mammoth responsibility.

There is progress as we slowly see more African women leaders claiming their rightful positions in society, politics, government, and the private sector.

Although we have not reached our destination, we can attest to the fact that many boardroom passages are steadily filling up with African women leaders.

Very importantly, we need to cut down the tires of being resentful when seeing one of our own progress. As women leaders, we know that we have a double burden of being mothers, which means we should take care of our children at home while also expected to perform well in our work and lead our nations. We have been achieving that but we need to support each other all the time.

No one can be proud to be a leader as a woman while you cannot point to even a single person that you change his or her life by being in the position of leadership. With all the bright minds present at this conference one has no doubt that we will soon see much progress in women leadership

across different societies globally.

Mama Albertina Sisulu succinctly put it when she said: “Women are the people who are going to relieve us from all this oppression and depression.”

In her assertion, she was clear that as women we must be able to lead from the front regardless of being oppressed, we should be the ones that bring a total change in our lives and that of the generation after us. We are still faced by the challenge of gender inequality and gender-based violence.

It is a known fact that although we have democracy in this country, women still have to fight the patriarchal conservatism which perpetuates the stereotypes of women being powerless and binds them to the will of men. As women leaders, we cannot be the ones who contribute to such.

At all times as women leaders, we must acknowledge the vital role women continue to play to ensure women’s emancipation. We must remember that gender equality is, first and foremost, a human right. Any woman is entitled to live in dignity and freedom, empowered and educated. Education remains an indispensable tool for advancing development and reducing the poverty that we face as women. Women empowerment will go a long way in ensuring that

women contribute to the productivity of our nations.

Our government has been working harder to deal with issues of gender equality. As modern-day women, we face struggles that are a reflection of issues that are dominant in the current environment, issues such as domestic violence, gender-based violence, child abuse, HIV and AIDS, unemployment, inequality, gender discrimination as well as poverty.

Although we are women leaders with careers, we also need to ensure that we take care of our children and protect them from abuse, including rape. As leaders, we lead at home, too, by raising children to be better people in society.

As I conclude I want to remind us the wise words by Mme Charlotte Mannya Maxeke who said: “This work is not for yourselves, kill that spirit of self and do not leave above you people, but leave with them and if you can rise, bring someone with you.”

This is more relevant to us as women leaders. We must ensure that all the time we have people that progresses after being touched by our hands and the way we do things. We must multiply and love one another.

We wish you all the best as you conclude this important conference.

Call to fast-track women empowerment on the continent

EFFORTS to reach gender parity in Africa have to be accelerated in order for the continent to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) linked to gender equality. These are initiatives such as educating more women, addressing gender-based violence, adopting girl children, mentoring and sponsoring.

This was a unanimous call from panelists who deliberated on a panel discussion titled “Catalysing Sustainable Development through Women’s Leadership” at a two-day African Women in Leadership International Conference held in Durban, South Africa.

Professor Fortunata Makene, the ead of Policy and Research said it was important to identify opportunities that would include women in decision-making. “If we don’t have women making decisions, how do we bring them up?.”

Gender equality is the fifth Sustainable Development Goal of the 16 SDGs as developed by the United Nations (UN), which seeks to achieve gender equality and empowerment for all women and girls.

Thandi Ngxongo, an entrepreneur in the petroleum sector, said women needed to use the spaces they occupied to champion change and that those spaces need not to be large. She said these could be at church, community, corporates, businesses and anywhere.

“I use my voice in every space I occupy. I also use my voice academically, I recently completed my PhD thesis, which looked at how do we match that (women and leadership) academically. I am where I am because people believed in me… I really believe that we should lift as we rise. I am not at the top yet, but let’s support each other, we are the agents of change,” she said.

Dr Maimoona Salim, the Managing Director of Beyond Mentors, said it was critical to address the scourge of genderbased violence, which, she said, was prevalent around the world, but even more in Africa.

Dr Maimoona Salim

“In Nigeria there are still child marriages. Girls as young as 13 get married because of poverty. How do you end this vicious cycle?

Adopt a girl child, when you talk to some of them, they tell you that they would prefer to be educated than to get married. We need to adopt young girls and mentor them. The impoverished ones don’t know what it means to be educated. Let’s empower them and find out what their needs are.

“The justice system is unfair, girls are blamed when they are raped. Children are molested in the home and moms say ʻdon’t speak about it’. We must give them a voice,” said Dr Salim.

According to the UN, women and girls represent half of the world’s population, but gender inequality remained prevalent across sectors of society. In 2019, women held 28% of managerial positions globally.

Nokuthula Ndlovu, the Founder and Director of Limit Breakers Global Foundation, said self-mastery was just as critical in developing women, especially for women seeking to take up space in corporates.

Her organisation is committed to grooming women for board placements among other things.

“We have placed 50 women on boards through our women on boards programme. We must be prepared to read, research and show up. Collect data, support your case with data and not emotions,” said Ndlovu.

Professor Fortunata Makene

Nokuthula Ndlovu

Thandi Ngxongo

Azande Ndebele of Shlobo DesignsNandipha Msebenzi

Futhi Mkhize of Ngimnyama Ngimuhle Skincare

Nonhlanhla Ndlela

Exhibitors laud conference for opportunity to showcase wares

WOMEN exhibitors got a rare chance display their products during the African Women in Leadership International Conference (AWOL) at the Radisson Blu Hotel between 15 and 16 September 2022.

Supporting African women entrepreneurs was a crucial part of this conference.

Exhibitions give entrepreneurs a chance to do face to face marketing, expose their businesses to potential investors and also give them a chance to meet and interact with other entrepreneurs.

Exhibitors had only praise for the conference organisers. Ms Yamasa Ceesay, an entrepreneur from Gambia who specialises in making traditional attire, put up a stall of her colourful garments.

She said she will take new knowledge and not only implement it on her business but also share it with other woman back home.

Azande Ndebele, the founder of Shlobo Designs, a Durban-based company that specialises in genuine handmade leather bags, handmade African accessories and recycled accessories, said a conference like the AWOL gave her a chance to showcase and sell her designs to new international customers.

She said: “Such an event means that I’m able to tap into an international market. The conference provides growth and exposure, as it brings people from the whole African continent.”

Nandipha Msebenzi, the founder and owner of Aluda Arts, a company that makes a variety of accessories, appreciated the opportunity to expand her business.

She said: “I believe this is a perfect setting to boost

sales of my business. Also, through this conference, I have managed to get potential business.”

Ndlela’s Village is a company that was founded in 2009 by Mrs. Beauty Nonhlanhla Ndlela. This company that deals with woodwork and furniture was also amongst other exhibitors. Mrs. Ndlela benefited from this conference by learning other cultures and also she was able to market her business.

She is also a part of the organization that is known as The Untouchable Cadres which was founded by widows at Amanzimtoti in KwaZulu-Natal. The aim of this organization is to support and uplift women who have lost their husbands. This organization does a number of things such as; making art, sewing, catering, training youth and they also train prisoners from different prisons in order for them to acquire different skills.

Ntandoyenkosi Mthethwa is the owner of NYM Group, a company that makes African printed bags, ranging from conference bags, cosmetics bags, gift bags etc.

She saw the conference as a chance to meet new people, network and promote her business for future potential opportunities.

Mkhize, the founder of Ngimnyama Ngimuhle Empire and Dr. Phyto Medicinal Plants, manufactures products are more of treatment than cosmetics, as they aim to cleanse and treat the skin. Some of her products include an anti-bacterial bar soap, skin-toners, face masks etc.

She said: “I go to exhibitions (such as this) simply because we are a growing company, therefore need the exposure. We are excited about the prospect of getting business from other African countries, and the AWOL conference is a perfect platform.”

African Women in Leadership Organisation assumes official status

THE African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) was launched officially at its international conference recently held in Durban, South Africa.

AWLO is an entity formed in 2009, which has 23 chapters in 16 countries. Ekemini Akpakpan said the organisation sought to

harness the development of women by bringing them together.

“There is strength in numbers. We want to synergise and strengthen the union. It is a platform for women to speak up, take up space and, hopefully, influence policy.

“This is a voluntary organisation where women serve as leaders with their finances, time and capacity,” she said.

The conference brought together women leaders in business, politics and civil society organisations. More than 300 delegates attended the two-day event, which also created a platform for younger women to engage with older ones.

Akpakpan encouraged women to network and capitalise on the opportunities presented by the conference. AWLO has a Youth Council and women are afforded opportunities through executive education programmes, mentorship and networking.

The activities of the organisation are linked to the United Nations annual calendar.

The founder of AWLO, Dr Elisha Attai, commended South Africa for hosting a stunning event, before handing over the 2023 hosting rights to Tanzania.

The Tanzania conference will be in August next year. It will be preceded by the one that will take place in Canada in April.

The South African AWLO chapter is led by Zanele Tsambo. It costs $50 and $150 to join AWLO if you are a youth and an adult respectively.

Ekemini Akpakpan

Top accolades for pioneering women

THE African Women in Leadership International Conference (AWLO) ended on a high note when women who are passionate about fighting for the rights of others, developing and helping others in need were recognised for their role at a gala dinner at Coastlands Hotel in uMhlanga on 16 September 2022.

Three women were honoured for the contribution they had made towards empowering other women through education and human development.

This dinner, which was organised by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government and eThekwini Municipality, was a chance for conference delegates and attendees to have fun before returning to their home countries.

Nhlakanipho Nkontwana, the Head of the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, said that issues affecting women are very important.

He said it is time for women to come together and have plans to improve their management skills, adding that in doing that, they must ensure that they do not leave men out.

Mrs Cookie Edwards, a women’s rights activist from the KZN Network on Violence Against Women, said she was happy that her work of fighting against the abuse of women, including establishing forums where women can network and discuss strategies was bearing fruit.

“We target gender-based violence hot spots (to) clear them and make them free zones. I am the voice of the voiceless. This award to me means the fight against this scourge must continue,” she said.

Florence Umana, from Nigeria, was recognised for her role of caring for poor women in her country and helping them with scholarships.

She said she was doing what she does because of her love for other women. “I started 15 years ago to help women who are unable to settle hospital bills, I paid for them. I give scholarships to needy women and also help women who are struggling in life. I do that because it bothers me to see someone in need. I did not know that there were people watching my work.”

Professor Fortunata Songora Makene, a researcher at Uongozi Institute in Office of the President of Tanzania, which focuses on training women in leadership positions with the leadership skills, said that during her research she found that there were gaps in the government’s training programme because it only caters for women who are directors.

Her research made the government change the programme to focus on women who aspire to management positions.

She said: “I did not expect to return home with an award. When the names were called, I was surprised.”

Frank talk during the African Women in Leadership Conference

DURING the two-day African Women in Leadership Conference, held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on 15 and 16 September 2022, robust engagements characterised the proceedings alongside high-profile speakers, networking sessions, exhibitions, .

The conference, which was organised by the African Women in Leadership Organisation, was aptly titled “Women Solidarity: An Impetus to the advancement of Gender Equality”.

The deliberations opened with a high-level ministerial panel discussion called “Inclusive Governance Processes for Gender Equality” on Day 1. It was followed by Catalysing Sustainable Development through Women’s Leadership, a Brand South African presentation.

Day 2 featured a “Masterclass on Building a Networthy Network”, a HeforShe panel discussion on Male Allyship and a thought leadership panel discussion on “Creating Safe Spaces for Equality Action” and an intergenerational dialogue on “Fostering Women’s Solidarity Across Generations”.

The sessions were ably moderated by the elegant Nthabiseng Lephoko (South Africa), the bubbly Thando Banda (South Africa), Dr Betty Kwoko Mgimba (Tanzania)

and the ebullient Ekemini Akpakpan (Nigeria),

Panel speakers included , wellness coach Phumlani Mbatha, Billion House Consulting founder and CEO Oscar Enemetue, Nigeria High Commissioner to South Africa Ambassador Muhammed Haruna Manta, Fotabe University founder Fotabe Elmine, child ambassador and advocate Siviwe Mboyana, Counsel-General of Nigeria to South Africa Ambassador Andrew N Idi, life coach and social entrepreneur Paul Nzimande, SAPS Gender Focal Point Warrant Officer Khwela, Cloud therapist Dr Sabelo Gumede, National Vice-President of Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria Dr. Safiya Musa, Group Manager, Marketing and Communication of Ibom Airlines Anniekan Essienette, Provincial Manager: Commission for Gender Equality Zanele Ncwane and LGBTQIA+ advocate Nonhlanhla Mkhize.

The speakers from across the continent were unanimous in saying it was about time women took centre stage in leadership across the spectrum. Also, sisterhood needed to be fostered by women to lift one another as they climb the ladder.

Crucially, there was agreement that if the ideal of gender equality needed reprogramming the boy child and supportive men’s to be realised.