Wendy Luhabe, Has Built A Legacy

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa

Wendy Luhabe, is an accomplished businesswoman, social entrepreneur and author.

She has pioneered many initiatives for the economic empowerment of women and their participation in South Africa’s economic landscape.

Luhabe is deeply engaged in many sectors, including education, youth leadership development, and business, for which she is the Chairwoman and Director of a number of leading companies in diverse industries.

After working for 10 years for corporations internationally Luhabe decided to dedicate her life to empower African women in business.

She was born on 29 May 1957, Daveyton, Gauteng Province, South Africa, and grew up in the old Benoni location.

Luhabe graduated in Arts from the University of Fort Hare (1977) and in Commerce from the University of Lesotho (1981).

After 10 years of national and international corporate experience with BMW, she founded “Bridging the Gap” in 1991, a consulting firm working on both sides of the corporate equation: On the one hand to prepare young Black South Africans to enter the world of work, on the other hand to support South African companies on how to integrate them into their corporate business.

Mostly, Mrs Luhabe is known for her vision in founding the Women Investment Holdings (WIPHOLD) in 1993: initiating the participation of women in the economic landscape of South Africa. She launched the first fund to provide capital to women-owned businesses in South Africa with a R120 million private equite fund.

She was awarded as one of the 50 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World and Global Leader of Tomorrow of the World Economics Forum; and inaugurated as a Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg in 2006.

Luhabe was appointed Honorary Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the 2014 New Year Honours for her services as a trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.
Wendy Luhabe’s defining moment:

“In my early 20’s my father gave me the best gift of my life, a book by Dr Wayne W. Dyer called “Your Erroneous Zones” which was about taking responsibility to change one’s circumstances. This book taught me, at an early age, that no one oppresses us or abuses us without our permission and that in life we either choose to be a victim, or to change our circumstances. By the time I was 25 I knew that I am responsible for my life and that any choices I make have consequences. So I decided to approach life by creating my own rules and making the kinds of choices that support my aspirations.“

Luhabe is married to the former premier of Gauteng Province, Mbhazima Shilowa, they have 2 sons and a grandson.

Furthermore, Luhabe is also the Chair of the Women Private Equity Fund and is on the Board of IMD Business School, and she was recently appointed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the newly-formed International Council on Women’s Business Leadership.

Luhabe is also an active mentor, accomplished author and powerful role model who is known for her writing and speaking engagements. She is a passionate ambassador for entrepreneurship as a platform to transform society.

Her work include Wendy Luhabe: Defining moments. University of Kwazulu Natal Press, 2002, ISBN 978-1-86914-020-5.

Source: http://www.wendyluhabe.com/

Felicia Mabuza-Suttle's New Book: 'Live Your Dream' Something Special

Ignore the critics and thrive

2015-10-07 16:47

icon with a microphone Felicia Mabuza-Suttle today lives in America, where she hosts a talk show on The Africa Channel and runs an executive leadership training and business communications company, Leadership Success International, while holding sh

Live Your Dream by Felicia Mabuza-Suttle

Victory International Publishers

220 pages

R225

When you are doing what you know and believe is right, you can withstand a tornado of criticism. Ignore the critics who just stand on the sidelines, finding fault, doing nothing that makes any real and constructive change in the world.

I tried to create change in South Africa with a microphone. My colleagues and I got South Africa talking through The Felicia Show. Many South Africans still tell me they miss the show, which allowed “ordinary” people to share their views in the new democratic climate of the time.

Many supporters of my show said: “You are ahead of your time. Your good work will be understood later.” These words have been proven true.

Some of our harshest critics now tell me how effective the show was and how urgently it is needed in South Africa today due to the numerous allegations of corruption, crime and related social injustices. The Felicia Show could have tapped into this new political discourse.

The show challenged the status quo in South Africa, especially the legacy of past injustices in the lives of individuals. For the first time, blacks and whites were openly debating and challenging each other on television. Some of the debates were quite heated as highly contentious issues were raised.

Some debates dealt with race relations. A number of whites had not accepted reality and remained unwilling to give up or share power. Other topics focused on young people who questioned traditional customs such as lobola ... or the practice of polygamy.

I recall walking through the airport one day when a white man shouted, “Go back home, Yankee!” His outburst referred to the fact that I had lived in America for many years, yet I returned to South Africa to encourage open debate about issues that seemed to frighten some people.

The man’s demeanour seemed to say: “How dare you!” especially since during apartheid, blacks were forced to be subservient and expected to pander to the baas, “the master’s voice”.

I often listened to radio talk shows and it amused me that so many white South African women were baffled by this “assertive American woman dressed in Escada outfits”. It was 1994, and most of those women were only accustomed to dealing with black women in the roles of maids or nannies.

I was a complete enigma to them.

I often felt I was not winning either way – with whites, or sometimes, even blacks. Most black men criticised me for allowing debates that questioned the widely practised African traditions of lobola and polygamy, and patriarchal customs that held women back, professionally and personally.

But it was not my role to influence opinion on those topics. I simply provided a platform for people to voice their own opinions. Because of my years abroad, my critics saw me as an instigator and someone who was out of touch with the realities of African customs.

Since we were all subjected to the same prejudices, I was convinced my support would come from black women. However, that proved to be untrue, particularly for one sector of South African women. The criticism from mostly black professional women was the harshest. I would hear them spew their hurtful, venomous words on radio talk shows.

But as one professional woman admitted during an interview: “Most are just envious and jealous that they were not able to do what you did,” adding “They’re jealous, jealous, jealous.”

My biggest support came from the youth who voted me a “most admired role model” in many surveys. I still get a large number of emails from young people. A sampling of some of those emails are included at the back of this book.

That support was heartwarming because it was a sure sign of a promising future for our country, with potential leaders who were willing to allow for free and open debate on topics most important to South Africans.

Free and open debate will make South Africa strong and will keep the old, oppressive ways of apartheid at bay.

The more people challenge you, criticise you or condemn you, the more you are on the right track.

Stay focused, keep your eyes on your mission. You are here on earth for a purpose. Fulfil your reason for being. Allow criticism to energise you to action and propel you to even greater heights

BIOGRAPHY: Zipho Sikhakhane: Providing Entrepreneurship Wisdom

Zipho Sikhakhane is a motivational speaker, writer and businesswoman.

Zipho was born and raised in a small township in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Through hard work and determination, she overcame the challenges faced by young people from underprivileged communities. She uses her inspiring life story to influence others towards leading meaningful lives.

Education ~ Zipho’s education background includes a Business Science honors degree from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and a Masters in Business Administration from the Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business in the United States. She completed her bachelors and masters on full scholarship and was also awarded merit scholarships.

Professional ~ Zipho has worked for a number organisations during her young career. She has worked on various organisational transformations in Sub-Saharan Africa as a Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company, the most prestigious management consulting firm globally. She has also worked for few retail companies as a Project Manager. Example experience includes being a Strategic Project Manager for the biggest clothing, footwear and textiles group in Southern Africa, and being an International Project Manager in Spain for one of the largest retail groups in the world. Zipho has worked in 7 countries across 5 continents.

Entrepreneurship ~ Zipho is passionate about business and has created a number of small entrepreneurial projects since childhood. She believes in helping businesses thrive across and beyond the African continent. To contribute to this, she invests in high potential African entrepreneurs in her personal capacity. She is also seeking to acquire small and medium sized businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa that have high growth potential.

Publications ~ She writes on Entrepreneurship on the Sunday Times in South Africa and has been profiled in leading magazines and newspapers. Examples include Destiny Magazine and African Scholar. She has also been published in Singapore as a contributing author on Sushi & Tapas: Bite-size Personal Stories from Women Around the World. She was interviewed live on TV on Channel News Asia about this book.

Speaking and coaching ~ Zipho is an accomplished motivational speaker and has presented to audiences in 5 continents. She has delivered inspiring talks and poetry on topics related to Africa’s potential, entrepreneurship, leadership, youth and women empowerment. She also delivered a TED Talk on the Vision for Africa. She also enjoys coaching individuals and groups on communication and leadership topics.

Hobbies ~ Zipho enjoys travelling, cooking, hiking and meditating. She has traveled to 28 countries in 9 years. She gets inspiration from meeting people from all walks of life. Her most memorable moment was when she got the opportunity to meet Oprah Winfrey!

For more information on Zipho Sikhakhane you can visit  www.ziphosikhakhane.com

SOURCE: ziphosikhakhane.com

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SOCCER DEVELOPMENT: The Chappies Little League Was Recorded Guinnes Book of Records' Biggest Soccer Tournament Ever In 2003

CITY PRESS

SPORT

JOHANNESBURG FINAL

Record-breaking Chappies Little League set to grow

AMOS MANANYETSO

BARELY a year after their return to football, sweet and chocolate giant Cadbury are not regretting their move to sponsor the United School Sport Association of South Africa (Ussasa) as they are on their way to rewriting the history books.

The Chappies Little League, which was relaunched this year with a R3 million per year sponsorship, surpassed the initial target to register about 2 500 primary schools around the country and amassed 6 023 schools.

As a result of that early success, veteran sports sponsorship consultant Geoff Wald flew to London this week to register the tournament with the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest soccer tournament ever.

The current record-holder listed by the Guinness Book of Records is a tournament held in South Korea that drew 5 000 teams.

"The response by schools was overwhelming and it gives us courage to think what we can do to expand and cover almost every school-going kid in the country," said Wald.

Chappies brand marketing manager Moshe Kola said his company was delighted at the overwhelming success of the competition and were looking at expanding next year's event.

"When we signed the contract with Ussasa, our target was to reach at least 2 500 of the 18 000 primary schools in the country and grow gradually with time. What happened is like a miracle.

"That is why we want to register the tournament in the Guinness Book of Records . If our registration is accepted, not only will it make us and Ussasa proud, but mostly the children who kicked the ball during the games," said Kola.

Kola said his company was looking at involving the girls when the school soccer season began next year or launching a regional tournament that will include winners from South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland.

Ussasa soccer secretary and SA Football Association/Transnet Sport School of Excellence manager Steve Pila was also excited about the latest developments.

"This is a confirmation that South Africa is one of the best footballing nations in the world.

"The Chappies Little League is not a new concept and we all know its successes during the 1980s before it was terminated ," Pila said.

Among top players who once played in the tournament are Junaid Hartley, Thabo Mooki and Brian Baloyi.

SOURCE: CITY PRESS SPORT
http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/citypress/2003/07/06/C1/14/03.html

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AU Department of Trade and Industry discuss with SME Experts on the Plan of action of the Accelerated industrial Development in Arica (AIDA)

AFRICAN UNION

DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION/DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Press Release 

AU Department of Trade and Industry discuss with SME Experts on the Plan of action of the Accelerated industrial Development in Arica (AIDA)

                                              

Nairobi, Kenya – 07 October 2015. A two days’ workshop on the plan of Action of the Accelerated industrial Development in Africa kicks of today, 7th October 2015 at Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. Organized by the African Union Commission, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the workshop is aiming to bring together relevant practitioners with experience and influence in SME Sector, to learn from the challenges they face and their achievements in supporting SMEs Development. Among others, the ultimate goal of the workshop is to make practical recommendations on how DTI could promote effectively SMEs development.

In his welcoming Remarks, highlighting the importance of the workshop, Mr. Lewell Njehia , Deputy Director, Medium and Large industries, Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development noted the challenges Africa is facing including poor infrastructure, high cost of energy, access to technology, limited access to finance, human capital among others and said ”These challenges need to be  from the current global opportunities and emerge as a global opportunities and emerge as a global economic power”. Before his conclusion he went to express his hope that the workshop will provide insight to major challenges facing SMES and said “I wish to urge the participants and experts present here to come up with recommendations that will further transform the support provided to SMEs as of the African states strive to become a middle income and newly industrialized countries”

In the same vein Mrs. Treasure Maphanga , Director of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission (AUC),welcomed all participants to the workshop and thanked the Government of Kenya for hosting the workshop and for serving as a platform for consultation and brainstorming that will lead to the development of an SME Master Plan. She highlighted that The Small and Medium Enterprises are widely recognized as key drivers of economic growth, innovation, and job creation in Africa because a strong and vibrant SME sector provides a strong foundation for increase in standards of living and reducing poverty amongst the rural and urban populations. 

However she said “these SMEs are constrained by a number of factors, including, low level entrepreneurship, limited access to stable energy services, limited access to finance for investment, low level business management skills, inadequate business development services, and low skilled labor, to name but few” She later added that “Africa needs to develop technical skills, stimulate productivity, promote investment, provide transport facilities and related infrastructure, upgrade and promote indigenous enterprises, create centers of excellence for technology transfer, reduce the time and cost of doing business and introduce appropriate standards to enable SME products to compete in both regional and international markets” She concluded her speech by expressing her confidence in the continues support of the development partners in the implementation of the Action plan of for Accelerated Industrial development for Africa (AIDA) and the SME Master plan.

The Meeting is being attended by Bureau Member of industry and Mining, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), UN organizations, international institutions, Business associations and private organization.

Full speeches are available on:http://ti.au.int/en/

Department contact: Mr. Salimou Bamba Email:BambaSA@africa-union.org

Media Contact: Ms. Meaza Tezera. Email:Meazat@africa-union.org

For more information please contact:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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