IWFSA president, Dr Vuyo Mahlati, said that the conference, themed Africa Rising: Setting an Inclusive Agenda, celebrates women advances within the 20 years of democracy in South Africa. "The theme of the conference gives recognition to Africa's recent growth, development and equity in terms of gender, unemployment and inequality. The IWFSA contributes to development of women leaders in partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), and other public and private corporations," said Dr Mahlati.
Dr Mahlati added that the purpose of the conference is to:
"The idea is to unpack the rise of Africa and direct conversation towards setting an inclusive agenda to expand and sustain gains toward addressing the current status of women in sub-Saharan countries, which have the lowest average on the National Human Development Index (HOI)," said Dr Mahlati.
The IWF focuses on the development of young leaders in the business world.
Totsie Memela, CEO of Eduloan, has close ties with the IWF. In addition to being a long-standing member of the organisation, she was also one of the first women from outside the US to be invited to an IWF leadership programme 14 years ago. Eduloan also makes it possible for its up-and-coming staff members in middle to senior management to attend leadership programmes by the IWF.
"Eduloan's interest in co-sponsoring the event also springs from our own expansion into the rest of Africa. For a small organisation like Eduloan, it is up to us to create awareness. We don't have deep pockets, so we need to use creative ways to create awareness about what we do and what we offer. The Africa Rising Conference will give us access to formidable women who can carry Eduloan's offering to the rest of the continent, providing African students with an opportunity to better themselves through education," said Memela.
"As we expand in the continent I would like to see a good percentage of pre-eminent African women partnering with Eduloan. South Africa's women have achieved a lot over the past 20 years, but we still have a lot to learn and skills to impart, said Memela, "and by bringing these women to our country we can learn from them and hopefully partner with them in the future."
"What we really want to explore is women in the business sphere. This conference gives us the opportunity to get exposure to international business leaders, to meet extraordinary people with extraordinary perspectives. South Africa has ample women in political leadership positions. The time has come to develop women business owners of international stature of our own," said Memela.
