Women United For Women’s Success

The power of strategic connections cannot be underplayed. With us inching toward the second half of the first ‘post-COVID’ year, the establishment and nourishment of networks is making a return to people’s top priorities. The Women’s Leadership Circle event sought to provide a platform for women to engage with one another meaningfully, planting seeds for some relationships and giving a push forward for others. Themed “Investing Through Social Capital,” the day-long affair provided a bevy of speakers on panels with timely topics. From financial structuring, capital sourcing and succeeding in male-dominated industries to building businesses with purpose and growing across and beyond borders, the programme and the discussants demanded that attendees were alert and enthusiastic all the way through. [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type="show" ihc_mb_who="1,2,3,4" ihc_mb_template="3" ] The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Peggy Serame, opened the proceedings by welcoming patrons to the fundraising event presented by the Botswana Democratic Party Women’s Wing in her capacity as the Chairperson of the BDP Women’s Wing. In her brief remarks, she addressed women’s under-representation in the political sphere and urged the audience to not shy away from assuming leadership based on out-dated preconceptions. The recent Amujae Leaders honouree was also brazen in encouraging women to celebrate themselves and their accomplishments at every turn, further stressing the importance of building networks of support, including mentors and coaches, such that one doesn’t ever feel alone in the task of shaping a just world. Minister Serame’s remarks ushered in the keynote address by Dawn Marole, Executive Chairperson of Datika Capital Investment and President of the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa. The self-confessed “teacher who got thrown into the world of business” offered sage nuggets drawing from her experiences forming foundations for an inclusive business landscape that also acknowledges the opportunities and obstacles faced by women experiencing marginality. Having assumed a position of leadership in the freshly democratised country, Marole’s story of leveraging social capital is the story of winning when the odds are stacked against you. “In business, there is no such thing as failure,” she declared, audibly stunning the captivated audience. Marole elucidated how societal norms condition women to internalise failure, thus stunting their growth at a subconscious level. To counter this, the Businesswomen’s Association established itself as a forum that made empowerment material rather than conceptual – creating opportunities for women to earn scholarships to raise their professional capacities, as well as present them as viable competitors and leaders. Driving home the point on the interconnectedness of psychological care, spiritual wellness and consistent learning, Marole reminded attendees that it is only in recognising one’s weaknesses and honouring one’s self-worth that strategising toward being a player in the world of megatrends – such as Artificial Intelligence, climate change, the growing energy market, and dealing with the impacts of greater aging populations – can be actualised. In the ‘delegate, enable, authorize’ process of empowerment, Marole called for astuteness in valuing indigenous knowledge such that women of Africa aren’t continually being re-sold commodities that are readily available in their homelands. The notes on indigeneity and valuation was carried forward by the First Lady of the Republic of Botswana, Neo Jane Masisi, whose words of encouragement contextualised how power is more than just a position that one holds. Admitting that her soft power as a nationally recognised contributor to the development sector extends beyond sharing pleasantries, the First Lady pleaded with the audience to always remain conscious of the women being left behind. Touting Pillar 2 of Vision 2036 – Human Social Development – and Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality – as important guides for establishing initiatives that provide one with a sense of purpose toward leaving a positive impact, her message was that we all share the collective responsibility to ensure that progress – be it in business, politics or socially – is not the spoils of a few at the expense of the majority. With the bar set sufficiently high by the dignitaries, the panelists carried the torch accordingly. The organising committee, headed by Orefitlhetse Masire, Chairperson of the BDP Women’s Wing Finance Committee, did a remarkable job of drawing a diverse pool of knowledgeable speakers and facilitators sharing experiences from the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Russia, Nigeria, and Botswana, to name a few. The audience heard from Boitumelo Mbaakanyi, Zindzi Letsididi and Denim Richards on ways of accessing funding and structuring toward scalability and diversification of business offerings. Michelle Harris-Deadwille shared her expert insights as the first Black woman CEO of a trucking school – having founded 3 Rivers Trucking School in the American state of Georgia and now expanding her imprints to South Africa and Botswana. Harris-Deadwille’s righting of the gender and class disparities in freight also extends to transgender communities and families of incarcerated persons as she “hopes to give people a way out through trucking”. On the invaluable connection between wellness and productivity, Nita Bhagat of Village Imaging Radiology Centre stressed that “once you’re unwell, it impacts so many other things that you could have afforded to avoid if you’d just gone for a screening”, urging that people face their fears and listen to their bodies. Her fellow panellists, Didintle Moreki, Lindiwe Modise and Tlotlo Phuduhudu echoed Bhagat’s human-centric business advice under the guidance of Vumile Msweli. The closing panel challenged people to understand the difficulties that come with going international with one’s endeavours. Nikko TooGood, Tebo Bakwena-Kabisoso and Dr Nora Mclauchlin shared with Samantha Mogwe on their respective motivations to take their crusades beyond the comforts of home to much applause. As the evening shadows drew close and respite was sought, Kearoma Rantao serenaded guests as they perused wares by BLACK Trash Designs, Wabisabi Originals, BantuGold and Black Excellence Clothing Brand. In its entirety, the event showcased the “non-partisan contribution to the collective development of women and communities at large through collaboration” that Masire lauded as the inciting intention. There is no guarantee that the aspirations and encouragements lain on the proverbial table will come to fruition with immediate effect. However, there is hope that the seeds planted will be cared for until such a time as allows their bloom. The women of Botswana and their global peers have doubtlessly shown that unity is a cornerstone around which they are ready to establish a new state of order. [/ihc-hide-content]

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Women United For Women’s Success

There is no guarantee that the aspirations and encouragements lain on the proverbial table will come to fruition with immediate effect. However, there is hope that the seeds planted at the Women’s Leadership Circle event will be cared for until they bloom

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Women United For Women’s Success

There is no guarantee that the aspirations and encouragements lain on the proverbial table will come to fruition with immediate effect. However, there is hope that the seeds planted at the Women’s Leadership Circle event will be cared for until they bloom

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