BMF EVENTS

Maduke Lot Ndlovu, whom we remember, celebrate, and draw lessons from, was a universal man and a free thinker, skilled in various disciplines. His was a spirit that referred to human beings collectively, a compassionate and humane totality that brought about fundamental solutions to the problems of the day.

Entrepreneur, executive, mentor, manager par excellence, humanitarian, and former president of the Black Management Forum, Lot Ndlovu’s devotion to lifelong learning and his understanding of purpose-driven productivity, critical thinking, and introspection, were pathways for his innovative approach to problem-solving. His valuable and outstanding contributions to the organisation brought about a focused con dence and determination to achieve broad and meaningful change. Understanding the in uence of the private sector in e ecting societal change is a notion that Lot Ndlovu succinctly captured as being at once an individual and collective responsibility.

As we remember Lot Ndlovu, we recognise that his contributions open a window to the history and accomplishments of economic transformation in South Africa. is window o ers us a viewpoint to commemorate and appreciate the lineage of black citizens and the freedom ghters who struggled for and contributed to the development of economic empowerment within our democracy. We now all enjoy universal su rage and are building a united, democratic, nonracial, nonsexist and prosperous South Africa that promotes social cohesion, democracy and

human rights, and aims to advance the economic transformation and participation of the people. However, it remains important for us to re ect on the perspective of equal economic participation over the past three decades. And, by assessing our past and its re ection on our present, we also examine our conscience and the e orts we have made or have not made as leaders to foster equitable and inclusive growth in the lives of all people.

Collectively we need to identify the obstacles that continue to restrict the e ective and sustainable implementation of inclusive growth and equitable distribution of wealth. e Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Re ection’s recent summit on the Indlulamithi scenarios and economic modelling o ers some scienti c insight into the lived experience of South Africans to help us

understand what needs to be done to save South Africa’s people from injustices. e scenarios paint a picture of a pre-COVID-19 South Africa that was already in precarious circumstances; this, accompanied by job losses and the anticipation of further economic decline, was entrenched in the psyche of the nation. While the current global focus is on recovering from COVID-19, the studies show that South Africa has neglected some of its existing threats and solutions. e compound e ect of multiple crises and harsh historic weaknesses places the promise of nation-building and inclusive economic growth somewhat out of reach. South Africans continue to be in icted by injustice and poverty, which are exacerbated by rampant corruption, seemingly with no consequences for the culprits.

Tackling the widespread concern about the scale and consequences of inequality and addressing the failure of economic growth at a grassroots level are the touchpoints to engage. When considering the milestones on this complicated path, it must be recognised that to achieve anything of signi cance people should come rst. is is a principle that Lot Ndlovu championed: people should not be le out, marginalised or unheard. People do not only have concerns, complaints and requests, but they also have suggestions – they need to be heard and considered, especially women.

Gender discrimination deepens the roots of impoverishment, which imposes a disproportionate burden on women. While both men and women su er in poverty, gender discrimination means that women have far fewer resources for coping, are likely the last to eat, and are the least likely to access education, healthcare, equal pay, and the respect they deserve.

What must be highlighted, ampli ed, and placed at the centre of discussions at the Black Management Forum and across society, is the fact that having more women in leadership positions could set South Africa, and indeed the world, on a more sustainable path.

Women have proven to be leading the way towards more equitable and sustainable solutions to climate change; women tend to share more information about community wellbeing; are more willing to adapt to environmental changes as their family lives are impacted; and o en take the rst step in recognising the power they have to e ect change through their roles not only in business, but also in their homes, communities, government and environment.

Contextual leadership is very much the domain of women. Bringing gender equality to business management positions grows the country’s economy and creates new vistas of opportunities through equal pay and safe spaces for women in the workplace. is boosts the private sector and advances the potential for prosperity.

Sensitive to the time we are in and the kind of leadership the country needs, Lot Ndlovu’s conviction would echo the need for women to lead from the front.

Using one’s privilege as a leader and in business is a lesson to be learnt on moderating our egos and conceit, undermining our weaknesses, and reinforcing our strengths. It is of our peers and mentors that we must ask the most di cult questions. What Lot Ndlovu taught us is that he was never a man who asked of others what he was not prepared to undertake himself. And so, it is in his spirit and that of the BMF that we should all ask ourselves: What are we prepared to do to achieve good for all people, and how do we close the gap between our social values, our actions and beyond? e BMF’s ongoing work reminds us all that positive action, no matter the size, can have a catalytic impact on the balance of our collective vision.

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the 2021 BMF Corporate Update Dinner and reminded guests that the story of South Africa’s path to democracy can not be complete without a chapter on the formative role played by the BMF. rough its activism and advocacy, its organisation and mobilisation, its campaigning and its lobbying, the BMF has been a key transformative force, he said. e president went on to urge and encourage black business to turn the tide of ownership and control of the economy, emphasising that “we want to emerge (from our current crises) with an economy that is fundamentally di erent from what we had before, that is more inclusive, that creates more jobs, and that provides more opportunities for new entrants”.

The president added: “Now, 23 years since the passage of the Employment Equity Act, and 18 years since the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act came into operation, the BMF continues to be at the forefront of advocacy for the transformation of our economy.”

The BMF elected the new national leadership at its triennial 45th Annual General Meeting in Durban, 2021. e newly elected o ce bearers are: 1. President: Andile Nomlala, who will now serve a second term in o ce 2. Deputy president:

Esethu Mancotywa 3. Young Professionals chairperson:

Papama Mnqandi 4. Young Professionals deputy chairperson:

Ayanga Madolo e organisation stands for the development of management capacity and the advancement of socioeconomic transformation. e organisation’s ethos is underpinned by justice, equity, and fairness. e newly elected leadership will be focused on deepening the BMF ethos within the organisation and across the leadership landscape of the country. e annual gala dinner, held a er the AGM, was hosted under the theme “Celebrating 45 years of driving ethical leadership and meaningful transformation in South Africa”.

The 3rd Annual George Negota Lecture was presented by Bheki Sibiya, chairman of BMF Investment, and held in memoriam of George Negota, who served as a president of the BMF from 1984–1986.

Sibiya’s address focused on why George Negota was his role model, and why South Africa needs servant leadership.

He identi ed servant leadership as: 1. A deep and unfailing love and respect for the people: he explained that when local service delivery fails its citizens are these citizens loved, respected? 2. A sense of being called to serve with honour, integrity, and dignity. 3. Self-con dence. Sibiya asked the question: “Are we free?” He highlighted the challenges our citizens face around high unemployment rates, dire poverty levels, high crime rates, femicide and suicide, and stressed that these issues place our freedom at risk.

He ended his address by sharing his personal goals for 2022. 1. What does it mean to be a man? 2. Double the number of men and women

I coach. 3. Double my individual one-on-one engagement with other business leaders. 4. Sponsor 10 new BMF members (men and women) in each province.