International Women's Day Summit
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2019 International Women's Day Summit Newsletter The Motsepe Foundaon Women's Unit hosted another successful Women's Summit to celebrate Internaonal Women's Day. The summit inspired change for a balanced society, keeping with the UN theme: Balance for Beer. The Day kicked off with Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe Ringing the Bell for Gender Equality at the JSE. “WEF Gender Gap reports show that at the current rate of change it will take 135 years for us to reach gender equality, and that's unacceptable!" Dr Moloi-Motsepe said before blowing the Kudu horn at a breakfast aended by business leaders and women's business organisaons. The powerful sound of the bells and horns emphasised the silence of women in JSE boardrooms and posions of decision- making. This was followed by the main event, held at the Sandton Convenon Centre, where more than 550 women and men joined in the celebraon of women's excellence and considered the course for achieving gender balance. Women in aendance included leaders and representaves from organisaons: Internaonal Women's Forum; the Black Business Council, 30% Club, Business Unity SA, Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa, Business Women's Associaon of South Africa and high school students. Proceedings were energised by Botlhale Boikanyo's rendion of a poem that spoke to the strength and value of women. In her welcome message, Dr Precious Moloi- Motsepe, the CEO and co-founder of Motsepe Foundaon said “What we do at this summit together, every year, is spread a message of power. There is power in inclusion and there is power in collaboraon, especially in the midst of diverse idenes and passions. Together, we can all build a world that is accepng, where we are all able to be free,” An inspiring keynote address was delivered by Chief Jusce Mogoeng Mogoeng. The main takeaways from his message were: 1. The need for “viciousness in execuon” leadership and signaling from the top 2. The importance of performance monitoring and a data-driven approach to solving issues of gender parity 3. The need to deal with the socio-cultural ills that underpin women's marginalisaon including “toxic masculinity” and gender-based violence In thanking the Chief Jusce, the Chairman of the Motsepe Foundaon, Dr Patrice Motsepe reemphasised the need for society to support women. Responding to the challenge by Chief Jusce for women to be more intenonal about their course for gender equality, the CEO of Motsepe Foundaon remarked that a think tank and strategy around gender equality is a priority for Motsepe Foundaon Women's Unit and is being pursued with urgency. The day was filled with two interacve panel discussions. TOPIC 1: Creang an environment that enables women's access to opportunies and to exercise agency without fear Key take aways: 1. Priorize development and implementaon of sexual harassment policies in the workplace 2. Set deliberate policy through visionary leadership 3. Break up silos between women organisaons and corporates TOPIC 2: Strategies adopted by pioneering women Key take aways: 1. Celebrate one another, by building teams of women that change mind-sets through performance 2. Embrace individual value through inclusion, without assimilaon to dominant cultures 3. Understand gender gaps in consideraon of other social problems (interseconality) Most moving were the essays from Grade 12 pupils on the topic “Closing the Gender Gap: Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls” More than 200 essays were adjudicated, and the top 10 learners were flown to Johannesburg to join the IWD celebraons. Some excerpts from these essays: “According to ancient norms, men were protectors of society. Do we sll label them protectors when they kill us to cure their bad luck and financial instability like Sandile Mantsoe did to Karabo Mokoena?” Busisiwe Khauoe (16). “In order to jumpstart the road to gender equality, there should be workshops around South African schools where young girls will be taught skills such as entrepreneurship, public speaking and machinery work,” Lindelwa Yvee Sambo (16). For the full speeches please visit www.motsepefoundaon.org The following prizes were given to the students · All the students were awarded a Motsepe Foundaon scholarship to further their studies at universies in SA next year. · Top two winners received R50 000, contributed to their schools towards books and library materials · Top ten winners received R10 00, contributed to their schools towards books and library materials Launch of the Shining Light Awards In introducing the Shining Light Awards, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe echoed Mr Mandela's senment when he quoted Marianne Williamson in his inaugural speech, "Our deepest fear is not that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us”. The following people received awards for outstanding work in their fields and impact in society: 1. Ms Thando Hopa – model, acvist and lawyer for social jusce and diversity 2. Ms Marianne Fassler – Fashion designer and acvist for empowerment 3. Ms Khosi Nkosi – Fashion designer and inclusivity 4. Ms Lindiwe Matlali – scienst for social entrepreneurship 5. Ms Kiara Nirghin – young scienst for innovaon 6. Ms Sibongile Sambo – aviaon execuve for pioneering leadership 7. Ms Keneilwe Hlahane – scienst for environmental sustainability 8. Ms Khadija Patel – editor for transformaon 9. Ms Desiree Ellis – sports coach for excellence in leadership 10. Ms Thembi Kgatlana – soccer player for excellence in sports 11. Ms Caster Semenya – gold medallist for social jusce For the first me this year the Summit was livestreamed, allowing people from around the world to acvely engage. The event ended on a high note, with a fashion extravaganza brought together by African Fashion Internaonal. The runway featured designers: 1. AFI Privé 2. Khosi Nkosi 3. David Tlale and 4. Orapeleng Modutle. South Africa at a glance · Female CEOs = There are currently no female CEO's in top 40 JSE listed companies. · Women on boards = Only 10% of JSE-listed companies have achieved gender parity on their boards. · Women in top posions in government = 50% of ministers in the South African government are women. · In the Fortune 500, in the US, only 24 companies have female CEO's.
Transcript of International Women's Day Summit
2019 International Women's Day Summit Newsletter
The Motsepe Founda�on Women's Unit hosted another successful Women's Summit to celebrate Interna�onal Women's Day. The summit inspired change for a balanced society, keeping with the UN theme: Balance for Be�er.
The Day kicked off with Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe Ringing the Bell for Gender Equality at the JSE.
“WEF Gender Gap reports show that at the current rate of change it will take 135 years for us to reach gender equality, and that's unacceptable!" Dr Moloi-Motsepe said before blowing the Kudu horn at a breakfast a�ended by business leaders and women's business organisa�ons.
The powerful sound of the bells and horns emphasised the silence of women in JSE boardrooms and posi�ons of decision-making.
This was followed by the main event, held at the Sandton Conven�on Centre, where more than 550 women and men joined in the celebra�on of women's excellence and considered the course for achieving gender balance. Women in a�endance included leaders and representa�ves from organisa�ons: Interna�onal Women's Forum; the Black Business Council, 30% Club, Business Unity SA, Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa, Business Women's Associa�on of South Africa and high school students.
Proceedings were energised by Botlhale Boikanyo's rendi�on of a poem that spoke to the strength and value of women.
In her welcome message, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, the CEO and co-founder of Motsepe Founda�on said “What we do at this summit together, every year, is spread a message of power. There is power in inclusion and there is power in collabora�on, especially in the midst of diverse iden��es and passions. Together, we can all build a world that is accep�ng, where we are all able to be free,”
An inspiring keynote address was delivered by Chief Jus�ce Mogoeng Mogoeng. The main takeaways from his message were:1. The need for “viciousness in execu�on” leadership and signaling from the top2. The importance of performance monitoring and a data-driven approach to solving issues of gender parity3. The need to deal with the socio-cultural ills that underpin women's marginalisa�on including “toxic masculinity” and gender-based violenceIn thanking the Chief Jus�ce, the Chairman of the Motsepe Founda�on, Dr Patrice Motsepe reemphasised the need for society to support women.Responding to the challenge by Chief Jus�ce for women to be more inten�onal about their course for gender equality, the CEO of Motsepe Founda�on remarked that a think tank and strategy around gender equality is a priority for Motsepe Founda�on Women's Unit and is being pursued with urgency.
The day was filled with two interac�ve panel discussions.
TOPIC 1: Crea�ng an environment that enables women's access to opportuni�es and to exercise agency without fearKey take aways:1. Priori�ze development and implementa�on of sexual harassment policies in the workplace2. Set deliberate policy through visionary leadership3. Break up silos between women organisa�ons and corporates
TOPIC 2: Strategies adopted by pioneering women Key take aways:1. Celebrate one another, by building teams of women that change mind-sets through performance2. Embrace individual value through inclusion, without assimila�on to dominant cultures3. Understand gender gaps in considera�on of other social problems (intersec�onality)
Most moving were the essays from Grade 12 pupils on the topic “Closing the Gender Gap: Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls”
More than 200 essays were adjudicated, and the top 10 learners were flown to Johannesburg to join the IWD celebra�ons.
Some excerpts from these essays:“According to ancient norms, men were protectors of society. Do we s�ll label them protectors when they kill us to cure their bad luck and financial instability like Sandile Mantsoe did to Karabo Mokoena?” Busisiwe Khauoe (16).“In order to jumpstart the road to gender equality, there should be workshops around South African schools where young girls will be taught skills such as entrepreneurship, public speaking and machinery work,” Lindelwa Yve�e Sambo (16).For the full speeches please visit www.motsepefounda�on.org
The following prizes were given to the students· All the students were awarded a Motsepe Founda�on scholarship to further their studies at universi�es in SA next year.· Top two winners received R50 000, contributed to their schools towards books and library materials· Top ten winners received R10 00, contributed to their schools towards books and library materials
Launch of the Shining Light AwardsIn introducing the Shining Light Awards, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe echoed Mr Mandela's sen�ment when he quoted Marianne Williamson in his inaugural speech, "Our deepest fear is not that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us”.
The following people received awards for outstanding work in their fields and impact in society:
1. Ms Thando Hopa – model, ac�vist and lawyer for social jus�ce and diversity2. Ms Marianne Fassler – Fashion designer and ac�vist for empowerment3. Ms Khosi Nkosi – Fashion designer and inclusivity4. Ms Lindiwe Matlali – scien�st for social entrepreneurship5. Ms Kiara Nirghin – young scien�st for innova�on6. Ms Sibongile Sambo – avia�on execu�ve for pioneering leadership7. Ms Keneilwe Hlahane – scien�st for environmental sustainability8. Ms Khadija Patel – editor for transforma�on9. Ms Desiree Ellis – sports coach for excellence in leadership10. Ms Thembi Kgatlana – soccer player for excellence in sports11. Ms Caster Semenya – gold medallist for social jus�ce
For the first �me this year the Summit was livestreamed, allowing people from around the world to ac�vely engage.
The event ended on a high note, with a fashion extravaganza brought together by African Fashion Interna�onal.
The runway featured designers:
1. AFI Privé
2. Khosi Nkosi
3. David Tlale and
4. Orapeleng Modutle.
South Africa at a glance· Female CEOs = There are currently no female
CEO's in top 40 JSE listed companies.
· Women on boards = Only 10% of JSE-listed
companies have achieved gender parity on their
boards.
· Women in top posi�ons in government = 50% of
ministers in the South African government are
women.
· In the Fortune 500, in the US, only 24 companies
have female CEO's.
