A woman of substance

The Business Woman's Association of South Africa (BWASA) annual event, sponsored by Nedbank, has recognised South Africa's outstanding businesswomen since 1980, growing in stature over the last 23 years. The winner of the Businesswoman of the Year Award 2003 will be acknowledged for her achievements and will stand proudly alongside previous winners, such as Kim McFarland of Investec Asset Management (2002), Maria Ramos of the Department of Finance (2001) and Irene Charnley of Johnnic Holdings (2000).

Ntshingila has been with O&M RSTM since October 1999 and was appointed Executive Chairperson in March 2002. She forms part of a key component of a new management structure brought in to improve the creative stock of the company and to reconfigure the profile of the people in key positions in one of the country's largest and oldest advertising firms.

She is arguably one of the most senior black female executives in South African advertising - a significant milestone in an industry that has often been accused of not embracing change and diversity. O&M recently sold off 20% of the company to a BEE company and, after several years of working on transformation, Ntshingila was instrumental in bringing Wendy Luhabe and Moss Mashishi on board as part of an empowerment deal, which has seen them become a completely transformed South African company.

Besides being chairperson of the Association of Communication and Advertising (ACA), Ntshingila was also one of nine people recently nominated by Parliament and the President to form the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

"Essentially, the MDDA is a funding agency that will lead and influence the transformation of the South African media industry. In the past, while attempts to transform the industry have been made, the financial means did not exist. Financial backing and transformation go hand-in-hand and transformation is not just about meeting targets, it is also about making the means available to do so," says Ntshingila.

"South Africa has the potential to define its own democracy. We still have a long way to go, but we are in a better place to make a change and incorporate our diverse culture. We have the opportunity to define a new way to conduct business: to create a business culture unique to South Africa."

Prior to becoming Executive Chairman of O&M, Ntshingila held the position of Joint Deputy MD of O&M RSTM, responsible for managing half of the agency's client portfolio. Prior to that, she was the Communications Director for Nike South Africa, spearheading their rise from No. 3 to No.1 sport and fitness brand in South Africa.

Ntshingila received her MBA from Morgan State University in Maryland, United States, in 1995. She has a Diploma in Advertising and Marketing from the AAA School of Advertising and a BA from the University of Swaziland.