Women outline the value of positive leadership
The host, Shongwe, said there was need for lots of sessions as this at which women could use their talking ability to network and empower others
MBOMBELA – The biblical quote, “As Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” became a reality as women in leadership and in businesses shared their experiences and motivated one another to stay on top, at a breakfast meeting hosted by the speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, Ms Thandi Shongwe.
Among the speakers was Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize, the province’s first-ever female director general who shared her beliefs and practices with the throngs of women gathered at Union Motors last Friday, by encouraging them to believe in themselves and remain focused.
“What happened yesterday is nothing more than a memory. Stay focused, don’t dwell on the past mistakes. Know your strength and deal with challenges positively,” Mkhize said.
Women were also urged to have goals in life and work towards achieving them by working hard instead of hoping for and dreaming of change, “We have not yet achieved gender equity, hence we have to double our efforts,” she said.
Mkhize also called on women to be mindful of what they say, “Words are very powerful, they can build up or destroy you, or someone else. That’s why it is important to think before you speak,” she said.
She also spoke lengthily on the importance of being a humbled and respectful leader.
The meeting was also graced by the presence of MTN Foundation’s
CEO, Ms Kusile Mtunzi-Hairwadzi, who urged women to network and appreciate the fact that others were better than them in one way or the other. “For a leader to be strong doesn’t mean she has to be rude or arrogant. Humility sets a person apart and remember to be approachable and empower others around you,” she said.
Hairwadzi also warned them to be cautious on how they used social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and others.
“How a woman portrays herself in the social media can destroy or make her. Use those platforms positively by being a motivator, a leader, mother, sister and a friend,” she said.
It was also highlighted that sometimes one has to learn the hard way, “Sometimes we must be hurt to grow, some lessons are learnt through pain, we have to be broken at times to be tender, and suffer lack, to know God’s provision,” a speaker said, urging women to support and motivate one another, rather than by common gossiping and putting one another down.
The host, Shongwe, said there was need for lots of sessions as this at which women could use their talking ability to network and empower others. “Studies show that women speak 25 000 words a day, yet men utter only about 9 000. Let our talking benefit others,” she said.
“Surround yourself with people who will make an input in your life, be an independent thinker, a scholar and do research of what you want to do, be yourself, be ambitious in doing great things, be presentable, be decent, organised and build a strong networking relationship,” she said.
Other guests included Buscor owner, Ms Norah Fakude, the Auditor General, Ms Sibongile Lubambo, Mozambican Consulate, Ms Ethel Tondo and the province’s first lady, Ms Patience Mnisi, to name but a few.
One of the attending guests won a weekend for two at Cassambo Guesthouse.
