#WomensMonth: Sitting at Liberty's Blue Table Sessions with Babazile Mbetse

We catch up with Babazile Mbetse, Group Head of Public Relations at Liberty, to find out more about this initiative...

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am Babazile; a mother first, but also someone who has a keen interest in empowering women in my personal and professional capacity.

You've been instrumental in the Liberty Blue Table Sessions. Tell us more about this

The Blue Table Sessions is a six-part video series designed to tap into the power of our shared experiences and humanity in the face of unprecedented life-changes.

The first season focuses on womenomics and is hosted by award-winning journalist and broadcaster, Gugulethu Mfuphi. She has conversations that feature women and men from all walks of life, unearthing the truth about the value women bring to society. The panel of guests have not shied away from tackling tough, and even traumatic issues, such as gender-based violence, which has been on the rise on account of the pandemic.

The episodes are available on YouTube:

What is the end goal of the Liberty Blue Table Sessions?

We at Liberty believe that conversations for change are part of life's journey, so it was critical for us to develop a platform that not only exists for now, but can grow into a movement to advance our society even in the face of unprecedented changes. We intend to progress the platform through further seasons that will delve deeper into the economic and personal realities of our citizens.

We hope that it will spark transformative thinking on how they approach their holistic well being, in particular their financial well being. We understand how important it is to feel supported financially and emotionally.

The journey towards financial freedom can be tough at times, and we trust the perspectives and insights being unpacked through the Liberty Blue Table Sessions will make this road a bit smoother.

Do you have any role models? If so, who?

I have a handful of role models who represent and model different areas of my life. My ultimate role model is my mom. She represents real power for me; she is authentic, hardworking and independent. I got to understand the importance – and mastery – of hard work from her.

You have a successful career spanning over 15 years. Tell us about your journey.

I started my career as a print journalist in Swaziland, and moved into public relations from there. My experience spans different industries, with clients serviced from various sectors while I worked at different PR agencies. I've also had a stint as a business owner: I started and ran a small PR agency for three years, where I spent most of my time chasing payment from clients. I eventually called it quits and went back into formal employment.

Currently I am the Group Head of Public Relations at Liberty, a role I find the most fulfilment in. Our industry shows how the PR and media landscape is ever-changing, especially in the context of digital transformation and most recently in the face of a pandemic.

What advice do you have to share with the future generation of entrepreneurs?

I've been an entrepreneur and I know first-hand the struggles that exist in that world.

Give it your all; remember why you started, and go in for the long haul. Also, try and save as much as you can because of the inconsistencies with payments for entrepreneurs.

In these times we find ourselves in, entrepreneurs have taken the hardest knock and my hope is that they have the right support structures with loved ones and peers and are able to restructure their businesses going forward.

What role can governments play to help drive women entrepreneurs?

I believe that it is important that government advances funding of women entrepreneur initiatives and does so with intent to see these entrepreneurs succeed against all odds. It is however not only a job for government, but in collaboration with the private sector, because there is a big role for all parties to play in establishing truly enriching programmes that are accessible to women and women-owned enterprises.

As we celebrate Women's Month in South Africa. Do you have any words of encouragement for women entrepreneurs out there?

Whilst the current economic climate seems challenging, there is opportunity in continuing to create and fine tune your business ideas during this time. For the more digital models, now is a better time than ever, and I would encourage women entrepreneurs to start and make use of the many platforms and forums that have taken over the market to enrich your ideas.

Eventually, the economy will be back on its feet, and can provide a fertile environment to operate and do business as an entrepreneur. Start now.