Glitz and glamour as businesswomen lean in for awards
● If you want proof that big business remains a boys’ club, look no further than the suits who run the country’s biggest corporates.
According to a recently published executive directors’ practices and remuneration trends report by PwC, a measly 15.6% of the executive directors of the JSE’s top200 listed companies are women.
So it was fitting that the Sandton headquarters of the continent’s largest stock exchange was the gathering place for the inaugural Women Economic Justice Leadership Recognition Awards on Wednesday evening.
I arrive at the function venue a few moments before Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi — the antiapartheid activist and former minister who has gone into business and was earlier this year appointed chair of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation — makes her arrival.
I am interested in the diminutive former politician’s choice of footwear. “Not everyone will approve,” she says, with a wry smile, of her white sneakers.
The awards are the result of a partnership between the International Women’s Forum South Africa (IWFSA) and the female-investment-led vehicle Women Development Business (WDB) that leverages research to lobby business and the government to level the playing field for women.
It all sounds rather academic and earnest, but Faith Khanyile, WDB’s CEO, explains that there is a lot at stake — such as correcting the imbalance between what men and women earn for the same work.
“Currently, the gender pay gap is anywhere between 20% and 40%, depending on the industry,” she tells me.
We are entertained by the world-famous Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble as we take our seats, while the night’s proceedings are left in the capable hands of broadcaster Joanne Joseph.
The welcome address is by business powerhouse (and one of the continent’s richest women) Irene Charnley, who delivers a stirring speech reminding all gathered of the call made by the women who marched to the Union Buildings back in 1956.
“Wathint’abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo! (When you strike a woman, you strike a rock!) We carry those words in our hearts because they are the words on which a movement was born. And a movement by definition never stands still,” says the IWF Global board member, pointing out that 50% female representation is the target they are aiming for.
Faith comes up next to explain how the awards came about, and we also hear a few words from Nolitha Fakude, chair of Anglo American South Africa, before the winners in the four categories are announced.
The sustainable impact leadership award goes to BP Southern Africa, which, under advocate Thandi Orleyn as chair, now boasts a female CEO (Taelo Mojapelo) and an executive management team that is 50% women. The industry impact leadership award goes to the female-led and founded construction company Motheo, the innovative partnership excellence award is handed to the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and the Soul City Institute is recognised with the emerging visionary award.
Foodwise, we were served starters of salmon carpaccio with avocado purée, caviar and ponzu dressing, while for mains I opted for the grilled wagyu beef, which was served with carrot purée. For afters, guests could help themselves from a dessert bar featuring mini lemon curd cheesecake, mini peppermint puddings, crème brûlée, berry pavlovas and chocolate brownies.
On to another atrium — this time a light-filled space at the centre of a building that used to house Queen Victoria Hospital (but has been renamed Transwerke), where guests gathered on Monday to celebrate the launch of a new home for creative types, from musicians and designers to app developers and crafters. Transwerke Studios, which houses 64 small businesses across three renovated floors, was officially opened by Tasneem Motara, Gauteng’s MEC for economic development.
“I urge you to visit every studio [here] — there is something amazing to see. [You will come across] people who make music, make furniture, who are architects, dressmakers, shoemakers, jewellery makers — all unique and inspired by lots of love,” Shado Twala said when she described the space that forms part of a programme to add more creative energy to the Constitution Hill precinct.
But Shado was on hand not only to handle the official proceedings. As chair of The Craft & Design Institute (CDI), the radio veteran was also responsible for managing the opening of the Cape Town-based nonprofit’s first satellite office in the building. In the CDI’s offices, the former South Africa’s Got Talent judge pointed out a chandelier and wallpaper designed by textile designer Glorinah Mabaso, who turned up for the occasion in a striking tangerine dress.
Who else did I see there?
Constitution Hill board chair Carol Maluleke, Brad and Paige Holmes from Bassline Live (who also have an office in the building), and Saki Zamxaka, the acting group CEO of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency.