August celebrates women’s month and to honour this we delve into the evolving working world where notable strides have been made in South Africa to empower women.
Although almost one third (29%) of senior roles in South Africa are now filled by women, one in five local businesses (20%) still have no women at all in senior positions. These are among the findings of the 2018 Grant Thornton International Business Report focused specifically on research regarding Women in Business. The report highlights that the businesses who are succeeding, are those whose policies and practices are rooted in a genuine principle of the benefit of gender diversity.
There are exciting things happening in the world of women entrepreneurs. Women are now the dominant force in small business ownership and succeeding in industries that were once taboo for women.
These are a few fierce, fabulous female entrepreneurs to watch according to Entrepreneur Mag:
- Boitumelo Ntsoane
- Phuti Mahanyele
- DJ Zinhle
- Polo Leteka Radebe
- Michelle Okafor
- Sonia Booth
- Basetsana Kumalo
- Sibongile Sambo
- Molemo Kgomo
- Nkhensani Nkosi
- Bonang Matheba
- Matsi Modise
- Khanyi Dhlomo
There is still a way to go before the aspirations of those who took part in the Women’s Day march of 1956 are fully realised – so we encourage all to continue breaking barriers, transforming industries and inspiring change on the continent.