An inspiration in the corporate sector since 1980
THE Businesswoman of the Year Award has since 1980 been South Africa’s premier award for women achievers in business. Presented by the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa (BWASA), it has emerged as the premier event of its kind in the country, an inspiration to women of all ages and a highlight of the South African business calendar. The objectives are to:
To create a mechanism for applauding and celebrating women’s contribution to the economy.
To recognise the success of women leaders in business, thereby creating a cadre of female role models whose achievements will inspire other women to raise their sights and reach their goals.
To raise funds for the BWASA bursaries offered to women pursuing business studies.
Over the years, some exceptional business women have been nominated by their peers – women in the marketplace and workplace who have made their mark, inspiring and empowering those around them to develop their potential and reach their goals.
Entries have always been open to all racial and ethnic groups and the early winners – when the glass ceiling was far thicker and racism was institutionalized – included Dawn Mokhobo (1993), senior Human Resources manager at Eskom and the now deceased Marina Maponya (1982), Director of the Maponya Group.
Other early inspirers included: Val Mickleburgh, Marketing Director, Total SA (Pty) Ltd (1980); Margaret Lessing, Director, TWS Communications (1981) and Reeva Forman, Managing Director, Reeva Forman (Pty) Ltd (1983).
There were also Dr Anette v d Merwe, Jane Raphaely, Joan Joffe, and Pru Pfuhl.
Current winner in the corporate category is Nosipho Damasane Siwisa, first woman CEO at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBTC).
Appointed to the position at the worldclass global facility responsible for the export of coal for all the coal-mining companies in South Africa four years ago she is the first woman to hold the strategically important post.
Interestingly, a year after her appointment she went undercover to find out what it is like to be part of the on-the-ground workforce at RBCT. Looking back, she feels she learnt a great deal.
This included small things such as placing a microwave into work stations where people are operating round the clock. It makes a big difference to their lives and it shows that leadership is conscious of their needs.
Her various management qualifications, obtained from around the globe, include a B.Com Accounting from the University of the Transkei.
She attended the Senior Executive Programme in Singapore and London and has an MBA. Source: www.bwasa.co.za/bwya