Mentoring women for business success
EMPOWER, motivate and inspire women, and help make it easier for the next generation of women in the workplace.
These were the sentiments of the two guest speakers at Friday’s inaugural
Trail Blazer breakfast hosted by the Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) Zululand branch.
Both successful businesswomen, Makhosi Mthiyane (CEO of Ingqapheli Security) and Boni Mchunu (General Manager of East Coast Radio) share the same core values – respect, ethics and knowing your worth – which have accounted for their success.
‘When I decided to go into business, I made it my mission to attend every business seminar I could,’ said Makhosi.
‘It is very important to grasp all opportunities that will increase your knowledge.’
Aware of the difficulties of starting a new business in a male-dominated field, Makhosi went into security with the aim of uplifting women in the sector.
‘I don’t want anyone to make me feel small, so I make sure I don’t treat my staff that way.
‘I truly believe that education is the tool that gets you places, so I encourage my staff to further their own education.’
‘Being value driven, I believe in teamwork, freedom, being ethical and respecting others.’
Keynote speaker Mchunu of East Coast Radio believes in women empowerment and she spoke about motivating women personally and in business.
From humble beginnings in Pietermaritzburg’s Imbali Township where she grew up without a mother and lost her father when she was 18, Boni has through perseverence, selfdiscipline, self-respect and selfbelief become what she is today
– a leading woman in business.
‘I believe in positive reinforcement, not letting your situation in life define you, and being driven for something more.
‘I learnt early on that prospective employers don’t care where you’ve come from or what you don’t have.
‘They care about whether you’ve got the ability, willingness and right mindset to do the job at hand.
It is very important to grasp all opportunities that will increase your knowledge
‘You must remain true to yourself, find mentors for every area of your life and don’t waste time on negativity.’
Boni’s motto in life and in business is that failure is merely incomplete success, to be persistent and be grateful for what you have so good things can manifest.
For women interested in mentorship, BWA Zululand offers a six-month mentorship programme.
For more information, contact zululand@ bwasa.co.za.