Sisters in Elevation Symposium Equips Women with Skills to Thrive in Business

UKZN’s Student Entrepreneurship portfolio held a Sisters Elevation Symposium with the focus on honouring Women’s Month.

The event was hosted by the Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme’s (SWEEP) UKZN Chapter and aimed at providing female students with the tools needed to be successful in business.

In his welcome address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor Anil Chuturgoon, said August was a time to honour women who endured discrimination, exclusion and oppression simply because of their gender.

Questioning whether enough was being done to ensure that the current generation of women was not experiencing the same challenges, Churturgoon said the symposium offered a safe space to have honest conversations about women empowerment.

He said: “UKZN has identified excellent research, innovation and entrepreneurship as one of its key priorities. At the core is problem solving and creating opportunities where none seems possible. It’s also about responding to societal needs – because as an African university we have a responsibility to lead in addressing those challenges.”

Churturgoon said it was inspiring to see so many students, particularly women, getting involved in entrepreneurship and he shared examples of female students who had excelled in business.“These women are living examples of what happens when opportunity and support, meet talent and determination.”

Trailblazer Ms Honey Mamabolo, former Managing Director of the South African Mint which is a subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank, shared how she made history as the first woman and first Black female to lead the 100-year-old institution.

With a background in chemical engineering and extensive experience in mining, retail banking and manufacturing, Mamabolo highlighted three mantras that have shaped the trajectory of her life:

1. Memento mori (Remember that you will die), which inspired her to live her life and chase her dreams now, as tomorrow is not promised.
2. Memento vivere (Remember to live), which reminded her that life isn’t about chasing milestones but rather living an intentional, purposeful and fulfilling driven life.
3. Carpe diem (Seize the moment), which speaks to claiming your greatness, creating your impact and living your legacy now.

Said Mamabolo: “The world doesn’t change when greatness is admired, but it changes when greatness is ignited. Greatness is conceived in the mind, then perceived through one’s imagination and eyes, and finally received through consistent action and relentless pursuit,” she added.

Business executive, entrepreneur, author and cancer survivor Ms Mala Nair shared details of her corporate journey and how landing a leadership position at a large multinational corporation allowed her to find her purpose of achieving transformational diversity, in terms of race and gender, in such forums.

Nair reflected on the steps she used to achieve this including networking, building trust and getting to know the people employed by the company, empowering others to grow, learning from others and acknowledging the responsibility she has to the individuals she leads.

Noting the difficulties in breaking the ‘old boys’clubs’ that exist in some large industries, Nair – now Managing Director of CentriPlus Africa – shared the following with students:

• “A degree will get you through the door, use your time afterwards to learn other soft skills and to build your brand and your network, even if it means getting a coach or a mentor.
• “Be responsible, own your work and act with integrity; be resilient, adapt and bounce back stronger. Stay relevant, current and valued, and be respectful and reinvent yourself every day.
• “You are the future, straighten each other’s crowns as women, uplift those around you and remember that every day presents an opportunity to make a difference.”

Executive Manager, Corporate Services, of the Moses Kotane Institute, Advocate Thembelihle Mapipa, asked women to be aware of how they present themselves in all spheres. Sharing her journey as an entrepreneur, which started at university, Mapipa noted how she was able to balance her interest in fashion with her career in Law and build networks that have served her well.

A robust question and answer session was conducted where topics like access to business funding and the imposter syndrome were discussed.

Prizes were awarded during a quiz session by sponsors Vodacom – who gave details about bursaries for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields – and PepsiCo.

Eita radio, an online station from the Moses Kotane Institute, was also present at the event.

Alumnus, Dr Lusanda Zwane was the master of ceremonies, while audiences enjoyed the sweet melodies of Buyi Gold as entertainment.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Moses Kotane Institute