Panel to discuss census impact

The BWA, which is sponsored by Nedbank, will unveil the census results at a function scheduled for Monday, 7 May 2007, at Nedbank’s head-office in Sandton. The function will include a panel discussion, which will allow deeper impact analysis and assessment of the results by the appointed panelists.

“With emphasis being placed on the advancement of women in business leadership, we at the BWA hope that over the past year, corporates have heeded this call and validated their management structures by recognising the contribution that women make to the corporate environment,” says newly appointed executive head, Angie Makwetla.

The 2007 census reflects corporate leadership developments that occurred during the period September 2005 to September 2006. Almost 320 companies participated, including companies listed on the JSE, as well as South Africa’s state-owned enterprises.

The panel includes business and academic luminaries such as Nolitha Fakude, Sasol executive director; Pinky Moholi, Nedbank’s director of group strategy, marketing and corporate affairs; Stella Nkomo, human resources and operations director and lecturer at the Unisa School of Business Leadership; Vusi Khanyile, chairman of Thebe Investments; and Bheki Sibiya, deputy chairperson of Tigerbrands and CEO of Business Unity SA.

Says newly appointed BWA president, Basetsana Kumalo: “We thank all the businesses that were approached to take part in this important census for submitting their responses. The census is a crucial benchmark of women’s upward mobility in key positions such as board membership and directorship in South Africa’s top companies. Companies who participated will reap the rewards of being recognised for their role in the advancement of women in business.”