August is the month when we focus, celebrate, and commemorate the extraordinary women who have shaped and characterised all this beautiful country has to offer.
But before we look at only a handful of the many mavericks and fearless women who inform our 2022 reality, it’s essential to understand the sacrifice and conviction of the estimated 20 000 women who, on August 9th, 1956, risked their lives to start a movement for change in protest carrying passbooks.
Their march on the Union Buildings in Tshwane set to challenge the legislation to tighten the apartheid government’s control over the movement of black women in urban areas at the time. Sixty-six years later, South Africa is a very different country, thanks in part to new generations of courageous women, many of whom continue to challenge and aim to celebrate all that makes Mzansi great.
The stateswoman: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Politician, diplomat, activist, and educator Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has, throughout her career, blazed a trail across the South African political landscape and championed women’s rights at the United Nations as an Under Secretary General. She held the post of Deputy President of South Africa between 2005 and 2008, making her the highest-ranking woman in the history of the country at the time. During her tenure, she oversaw programmes to combat poverty and ensured the poor benefited from the advantages of a growing economy.
The runner: Caster Semenya
Born in Ga-Masehlong, Caster Semenya is a national and international sports treasure, but her sprint to the finish line has been anything but easy. The 800-metre-event world champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist is not only a patriot and ambassador, but she’s also actively invested in empowerment. Through her Caster Semenya Foundation, she trains and assists young athletes and supports campaigns to distribute menstrual cups to disadvantaged South African girls, helping them to remain in school during their menstrual cycles. In 2014, Semenya was granted the bronze Order of Ikhamanga by the South African government for her achievements in sport.
The philanthropist: Rachel Kolisi
One could argue that Rachel Kolisi would be forgiven for only focussing on supporting her Springbok captain Siya, all while raising their young family. Yet, somehow, she manages to do all that while also heading up and running the Kolisi Foundation. In just two short years, Siya and Rachel’s desire to change the story of inequality in South Africa has inspired no less than 15 completed projects and a further 11, each focused on either food security, gender-based violence, education and sports development, resourcing, and capacity building.
The visionary: Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa
Born in Meadowlands, Soweto, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa has come a long way and achieved an extraordinary amount. Today she is the South African CEO of the media giant, Naspers, but her journey here was challenging. Having lost her mother at a young age, Phuti found herself in the US, where she rose through Douglass College at Rutgers University, majoring in Economics, before completing her MBA at De Montfort University. Since then, the likes of Forbes, CNBC Africa, and The Wall Street Journal have acknowledged her as a force to be reckoned with, the latter listing her as one of the Top 50 women worldwide to watch. Today, it’s hard to keep up with her ambition and passion for affecting positive change in everything she does.
The editor: Qaanitah Hunter
Qaanitah Hunter, Assistant Editor: Politics and Opinion at News24, may not be the loudest voice in any room, but her power rests in the pen and laptop she wields. She’s always known what she wanted to become, and as one of the youngest editors in the country, her mission remains steadfast in speaking truth to power and taking on some of the biggest names in politics.
The creative: Mandisa Zita
As the Festival Director of the Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival, Mandisa Zita’s passion for the arts has turned many a dream into reality for artists, actors, scriptwriters, producers, and directors across the continent and around the world. Having just delivered the 24th edition of the festival, Mandisa’s tireless commitment to promoting great art is reflected in what continues to be a challenging but hugely rewarding industry.
The banker: Maria Ramos
High-powered and incredibly influential, Maria Ramos has dominated every industry in which she’s worked. With each one, she was most often in the minority regarding female representation. Undeterred, the South African businesswoman, banker and corporate executive continues to swim against the tide and serve as the chairperson of AngloGold Ashanti since 2020. Her most noteworthy and recognisable achievements in recent years have been as chief executive officer (CEO) of Absa Group Limited, before which she was the CEO of Transnet, after serving as director-general of the National Treasury.
The designer: Palesa Mokubung
Kroonstad-born Palesa Mokubung has gone from the sleepy Free State town to showcasing her award-winning fashion on runways across the world. Her most recent accolade, via her Mantsho label, is a collaboration with the Swedish-based fashion retailer, H&M, an African first. With multiple awards to her name and an ever-expanding line of authentically crafted lines, Palesa’s future looks to be fashion-filled and as fabulous as her creations.
The restauranteur: Grace Harding
Every time you sit down to enjoy a meal from the sea at one of the many family restaurants dotted across South Africa, Grace Harding, CEO of Ocean Basket, and spokesperson for The Restaurant Collective, plays a critical role in what lands up on your plate. Having grown up in a family retail environment, Grace understands every aspect of the highly competitive service industry, so much so she’s now exporting Ocean Basket’s success internationally
COMMEMORATING SOUTH AFRICAN SHEROES
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
July 21, 2022
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
July 21, 2022
Rating:
