Documenting the history of enterprising women in SA

According to publisher, Pearl Mashabela, South African women have come a long way since the inception of our democracy in 1994. "However, while we boast the highest female representation in all structures of government, much still needs to be done to ensure that women gain a strong and meaningful foothold in all areas of the economy."

Enterprising Women in South Africa: 10 years on, aims to highlight the strides government and private sector have made in appointing, fast-tracking and empowering deserving women to leadership and ownership positions.

Enterprising Women will document history through a survey of the achievements of South Africa's historically disadvantaged women; it will measure the steps taken by the government and business to enable women to find positions that complement their experience; and it will focus on how women have achieved success through their own efforts, with the help of the government as well as the public and private sectors.

The publication's salient feature will be the overall and sector surveys on women empowerment. The sectors include: Agriculture & Land Affairs; Arts & Culture; Communications & Media; ICT; Science & Technology; Defence; Education; Environmental Affairs; Tourism; Finance; Foreign Affairs; Health; Home Affairs; Housing; Justice & Constitutional Development; Correctional Services; Labour; Minerals & Energy; Public Enterprises; Public Service & Administration; Public Works (& Property); Safety & Security (& SA Police Service); Social Development; Sport & Recreation; Trade & Industry; Transport; and Water Affairs & Forestry.

The main objective of Enterprising Women is to showcase the achievements, skills and resources of South African women by compiling a comprehensive database of leading women in various sectors, whether business owners or senior executives/managers in their companies/organisations. In addition, it will provide a networking platform for South African women; and be a major resource for any individual, company or government department seeking leading business and professional women in the country.

"Our aim is to celebrate South African women," says Mashabela, "and what better way to do this than by showcasing their achievements over the past 10 years? Every woman will be inspired and empowered by this publication, and every business will be able to use it as an invaluable resource in their endeavours to empower women."

Enterprising Women will include a directory of leading women in the various sectors, whether business owners or senior executives/managers in their companies/organisations. Any business or professional woman who would like to be part of Enterprising Women can do so in various ways through a:

1. Free sector directory listing. If you would like to appear in the free listing, please email Jana du Plessis – jana@innovage.co.za or Zinhle Mapumulo – zinhle@innovage.co.za for the information required in the listing.

2. Paid for directory listing: If you would like to profile yourself and/or your company, contact Managing Editor, Darryl Egnal at Tel: 27 11 234-6956.