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Women are role models
There are young, dynamic and successful businesswomen emerging as role models for a new generation. It has been said that the best way to pursue anything is to begin with the end in mind. Role models are pretty much that desired end. They serve as a compass to many young people’s aspirations. They are the real life portraits of the movie characters that we are all attracted to – the dangerous combination of talent and hard work. Babalwa Mkobeni finds those gems.
IPELENG MKHARI – MILLION DOLLAR BABE She had her mind set on an idea and followed it with all heart.
REDI TLHABI – A VOICE TO BE RECKONED WITH Born in Orlando East, Redi Tlhabi is one of the most highly respected current affairs journalists in South Africa. Tlhabi is currently the voice and ears of many South Africans, both young and old, on her radio show 702 and 567 CapeTalk. A keen runner with two Comrades under her belt, Thlabi has also mastered a couple of laps in her career including being an MC for the CNN Journalist of the Year Awards and Women of the Year Awards, columnist for Fairlady and senior news anchor at etv’s new 24th satellite news channel. She effortlessly presented current affairs programmes such as Today in Afrika, Interface, Rights and Resources and has coproduced the thought-provoking documentary on President Thabo Mbeki. Tlhabi has proven that she has her heart in the issues at hand when she led a group of women in miniskirts in protest against sexual harassment after a young woman was attacked at a taxi rank for wearing a mini skirt. With her love for politics and her need to be part of South Africa’s evolution, the question remains ‘SoWeTo’ from here Redi?
Ipeleng Mkhari took a job as the marketing director of a CCTV company straight after varsity. Her entrepreneurial heart soon took over when just a year later she founded Phosa Iliso CCTV in 1998, the first black-owned and managed CCTV business in South Africa. With no initial capital to start up her business, Mkhari approached a bank with her first contract from the Kunene Brothers and a business plan. That same business became the seed of what is today the largest wholly black-owned property management company in SA, Motseng Investment Holdings. As co-founder of Motseng Investment Holdings, Mkhari serves as COO and CIO. Mkhari says that the three things she believes are at the top of her advice list for young women who want to make it to the top are: j Confidence. Nothing beats confidence. k Planning. Plan, plan and plan some more. l Nothing comes without sacrifice, don’t believe anyone that tells you otherwise.
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