Commerce
What is Amazi, and what led you to establish it? Divya Vasant bit.ly/3tCejgK
Current position: Founder and CEO of The Amazi Group
Past positions: Project Director of The Microfranchise Accelerator (a division of The Clothing Bank) Credit Analyst at Futuregrowth Asset Management Credit Research Analyst at Absa Capital
Academic history: 2007 Bachelor of Business Science specialising in Economics at University of Cape Town (UCT)
Knowledge of economics empowers you to see how a dynamic system lives.
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The statistic that haunted me for over a decade is: 10% of the South African population own 90-95% of our country’s asset base, while 40% of the population own the remaining 5-10% and 50% of the population have no meaningful assets, no measurable wealth and no means to create wealth. Access to opportunity was built for a few, and certainly not for women. Our economy disregards women by failing to address the systemic issues that keep women excluded. The archetype for opportunity in South Africa remains male. The way we can progress women is to pioneer a new system which from inception seeks to include women. This is why I founded AMAZI – a women-owned, social business that creates opportunities for women to learn, to earn and to have their own microbusinesses. The Amazi Group creates access to knowledge, tools and opportunities for women to unlock their potential and progress to positions of ownership within the wellness industry.
What are the key skills that have contributed to your success so far? Negotiation: When you’re a young brown woman and every boardroom you walk into is full of men, you learn that negotiation isn’t just about the term sheet. It starts from the minute you type out an email and the words you choose, to the way you answer your phone and how confident you come across, to the way you walk into a meeting room and where you decide to seat yourself. Financial modelling and scenario planning: Being able to articulate a path to sustainability and understanding the various scenarios that could get you there are crucial to creating a direction for your organisation. Self-reflection: Broken people build broken organisations. Your insecurities are amplified and your self-doubt can overwhelm you. Being curious about yourself and investing in the tools and the professional support to deepen the relationship you have with yourself are the most selfless acts you can do as a leader.