Chamber honours women

THE Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Women in Business Forum hosted the Women in Business Conference and Recognition Awards last Thursday.

Taking their cue from the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the objective of the conference was to chart a course which will contribute to the realisation of women’s economic empowerment in the KZN region for the next 50 years.

The conference also looked at women who were able to succeed in male-dominated industries, as well as those who entered business under difficult circumstances, but who were able to rise above their tribulations and make a contribution towards women’s empowerment.

The keynote speaker was Deputy eThekwini Mayor, Nomvuzo Shabalala who reminded the audience that this gathering was not just a feminist approach, but simply women getting up and doing things for themselves, and the contributions made today would change the mindsets of future generations to come.

“A society which doesn’t have a strong presence of women is problem prone. Historically, having women in business is not only a South African or African but a global challenge. Of the 50 per cent of women in the world, only two per cent are active participants in this male dominated sector, especially the maritime sector. Government advocates for women to be active participants in business and the city is expected to play a developmental role in integrating a development plan in this country. We as a city can’t afford not to partner with such formations as the Women in Business, driven by the Chamber. The city of eThekwini will assist in the realisation of the 50 year plan for women’s economic emancipation, to encourage women to get involved in the economic development of South Africa,” she said.

She said with the current pace of women’s empowerment, the next generation would also suffer, and the onus was on current women leaders to shift the mindset, with the male counterparts also coming to the party.

The Conference received a pleasant surprise when the Good Baroness, Patrica Scotland of Asthal, Judith Mac Gregory, the British High Commissioner and Andrew Henderson, UK Trade Commissioner to South Africa paid the audience an unexpected visit. This comes after the Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the North East Chamber of Commerce from the United Kingdom, the night before the conference.

The Good Baroness addressed the audience and highlighted issues faced by women globally.

“Women need to understand that we are not the minority, we are the majority. We need to understand what this means for us, especially for our daughters,” she said.

CEO of Durban Chamber, Dumile Cele, said she was very excited to see women come together and was convinced the future of the globe lay in the hands of women, who are taking up the challenge and getting things done.

“We honour the women who have gone before us, and laid a solid foundation to build on and be true, and enabled us to be where we are today,” she said.

The conference also saw the launch of the KZN Women in Business Resource Guide which lists all women owned business in the KZN region. Copies are available at the Durban Chamber offices.

The Conference closed with the Durban Chamber Women in Business Recognition Awards, which were an opportunity to recognise women who have made positive contributions to the local economic growth, against all odds, in their respective spheres of influence.

Recipients of these awards included Councillor Nomvuzo Shabalala – Women in Government, Farzana Mall – National Woman Leader, Pria Hassan – Women in Fuels and Oils, Lindiwe Zuma – Women Traders, Rev Thato Tsautse – Women in Maritime, Zamambo Mkhize – Women in Media, Dr Kholeka Mlisana – Women in Medical, Lindiwe Ngcobo – Women in Business, Dr May Mkhize and Mrs Zee Cele – Women at SAICA.