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MBABANE - “We need to create an enabling environment for the future generation in order for the young and upcoming generation to also make it to where we are.”
These were some of the remarks made at the Eswatini Women in Leadership Panel during the celebration of the United World College (UCW) Africa Week. The event was held on Tuesday at Waterford Kamhlaba.
The UWC Africa Week is an annual student-led event that accords students a platform to explore and reflect deeply about the challenges and opportunities presented by Africa, and its diaspora.
Among the speakers was EswatiniBank Director Ndlunkulu Nozizwe Mulela, Mahlako A Phahla Group Director Makole Mupita, Municipal Council of Manzini CEO Lungile Dlamini, Gigi A Reid Attorneys Senior Attorney Gigi Reid, Founder of Working Together Margaret Nyoni and Waterford Kamhlaba learner Owenkosi Sigudla.
Important
According to the women, it was important for women in leadership positions to give opportunities to the young and upcoming youth through mentorship and making space for them in their workplaces. They said this was because in order to make a name for themselves, they would need help from the ones who were already at the top.
According to the Founder of Working Together Nyoni, her success was attributed to not only her family, but also the people around her who were able to give her the opportunity to shine. She said after her parents passed on, her maternal aunt, who was just 24 years old at the time, took her in.
“Today she is raising seven more children, none of them are her biological children. It has always been so inspirational to see how she was caring and nurturing to people who are not even her biological children. She is the reason that I opened up a business which also sought to help other women. I was inspired to locate and hear all women who needed to be seen in order to achieve great things,” she said.
Aspiration
Mahlako A Phahla Group Director Mupita said her aspiration was her late mother, who she said was the reason she was the woman she was today. She said because of the hard-working woman her mother was, she decided to name her business using her mother’s name.
“I grew up with parents who, although from a very poor background, were able to ensure that they opened a business for themselves which even in a township area, was a success. Due to growing up in such an environment, I knew that I only needed to aim for the stars and be great. They taught me that I did not have to strive to be the only one around the table, but my success had to be a stepping stone for a lot more people who would also benefit from my success,” she said.
Furthermore, Mupita advised young women to ensure that they chose the right partners as according to her, partners played a big role in determining the kind of future they would have. She said while she was in pursuit of her dreams, her husband did not only sponsor her ideas but also allowed her to follow them without feeling guilty.
She said her husband allowed her to have her own definition of what an African wife, mother and business woman was.
Successful
“I am a mother of four children. I have been able to raise all those babies and be a wife to my husband and open a business which became successful beyond our thoughts,” she said.
She advised women in power to not only shine but also allow others to shine with them. She also advised those who were working towards a better future to request for assistance any way they could. Waterford Kamhlaba IB pupil Sigudla mentioned that although being in her last year at the school was tough for her, having friends and parents who wanted to see her succeed was what kept her going and aiming for success.
“It is important to go where you are wanted. People who have been the most helpful to me were those close to me and this has helped me as I am constantly reminded of how great I am, even when I do not believe it. I would advise people to associate with people who wish them well and have their best interest at heart,” she said.