Thursday, 12 MARCH 2009
Review of the Year
It has been quite a year, and I am honoured to be reporting on the activities of the BWA Cape Town branch for the period under review. As can be seen on our list of events, we have truly inspired, empowered, developed, recognized, entertained and networked! At the beginning of the year, the Cape Town branch decided to focus on “green” issues and chose this as the main theme for the year. Many of our events addressed environmental issues, and hopefully, this will remain a focus in the future.
Our audience reach for the period under review (this is the amount of attendees at events) was 2596 (up from 1333 during the previous 12 months) at 31 different events, and 2 Women’s Shows. This does not include our regular Buzz Hours. The audience reach doubled, due mainly to the Women’s Show, as well as collaborating with Old Mutual and Nedbank on 2 different events (Take a Girl Child to Work, as well as the Budget Presentation) Our membership has grown over this period to a total of 527 members, of which 259 are paid up, and the balance are in the window period.
Social Responsibility and Bursary
We enabled 2 beneficiary organizations to be assisted by members of the BWA, who responded to our calls with enthusiasm. For the United Sanctuary Against Abuse and RAPCAN, an NGO addressing the needs of children and rape victims, we raised R 14000.00 in cash and kind.
Guests at the Regional Achiever Awards raised R 12000.00 toward the bursary of a post-graduate business student for this year, which coupled with an allocation from the BWA Head Office, makes the total earmarked for the 2009 bursary R 22000.00.
Challenges
The current global economic crisis will inevitably affect the BWA in various ways. As an organization that is mainly funded by members’ subscriptions, we may be hard pressed to retain our members in these tough economic times. At the same time, our membership who are mainly entrepreneurs are already feeling the pressure of shrinking sales figures. The challenge remains that we need to offer the best value to our members, and provide an environment where they can share their concerns and exchange best survival strategies.
In terms of our Head Office administration, it has been a tough year for the leadership of the BWA, in us having to make changes in our administration. However, we are up and running again, and are fully functional and ready to face the new year. Our CEO, Yvette Montalbano has left the BWA, and while the search is on for a new CEO, one of our Board members, Joyce Sudarkaza has taken up the temporary post of Executive Director and will run with all the current projects.
Women in Corporate Leadership Census
One of the initiatives of the BWA is the Women in Corporate Leadership Census sponsored by Nedbank. It was established in 2004, and serves as the only measurement of progress made by corporate women managers, directors and chairpersons of Boards of JSE listed companies. The census shows progress, albeit slow. It is important for the BWA to remain vocal in issues that affect women’s progress up the corporate ladder, as well as to assist women in breaking down barriers that are still apparent. It is also interesting to note that conclusions drawn from a decrease in women in Executive Manager positions are not all negative, as some women themselves opt out of the corporate leadership race. While the Census tracks women’s movements up the corporate ladder, we still need research that supports the Census in providing reasons behind the trends.
Finances
The Treasurer’s report contains our financials.
Committee
The committee consisted of the following dedicated women this year:
- Ferose Oaten Chairperson
- Nina Joubert Vice-Chairperson, recently elected and Treasurer
- Gita Lison
- Zahida Ebrahim
- Jane Notten
- Rene Bonzet
- Caren Willet
- Elspeth Donovan
- Anneline Black
- Logandree Gounden
- Phumeza Mgxashe
- Zosh Kihl
Yvonne Finch, the immediate past Chairperson continues to serve on the committee for guidance and support, and has facilitated the RBAA judging process for a number of years.
Alison Maytham, Cherry Burchell and Amanda Greeff served on our committee for part of the year and resigned due to various reasons. Our Nedbank Champion for most of the year was Yolandi Pretorius, who also served on the committee.
Elspeth Donovan, Logandree Gounden-Pead and Rene Bonzet will be stepping down from our committee. They deserve great thanks for the many years they have served, and stepped it when help was needed.
I would like to thank the entire committee for their support, friendship and effort in keeping the BWA vibrant in the Cape. This is a special team, who can work hard and have fun at the same time! I would like to extend a special thanks to Nina Joubert, our Treasurer, who also became our Vice-Chairperson for her ongoing support.
We can’t achieve what we do without the assistance of our Corporates. Special thanks to PriceWaterhouseCooper (PWC) for their venues for our meetings, our events and all the probono services they undertake for the BWA, as well as Edward Nathan Sonnenberg (ENS) for continuing to partner with the BWA with the RBAA Souvenir Brochures country wide, and also in the provision of venues, facilities and services.
More than ever, I must mention Cheryl Steyn, our coordinator, who works exceptionally hard to manage the BWA office and activities in Cape Town. She is creative, enthusiastic and energetic, which is exactly what we need! She was joined this year by Caryn Gilliomee, who has been invaluable in keeping track of our membership and being of general assistance to all. Thanks to both Cheryl and Caryn.
FEROSE OATEN
Events for the Period 1 March 2008 - 28 February 2009
2008
3 March Cape Town AGM
8 March BWA Cape Town Strategic Session
9 April BWA Committee Meeting
18 March Chill Out Dinner
11 April The Female Brain Speakers – Jocelyn Kagan
6 May Launch of the BWA Cape Town Book Club
7 May BWA Committee meeting
8 May Organic vs Non-Organic Food
13 May RBAA Judging
16 May Cape Town launch of the Women in Corporate Leadership Census
29 May Cel C Take a Girl Child to Work (120 girls)
3 June Book Club
11 June BWA Committee meeting
12 June Launch of Hurdles and Help event
19 June RBAA Event
25 June Buzz Hour
27 June RBAA Winners Breakfast
1 July BWA Book Club
27 July Mentorship Workshop for Mentors – Presented by Yvonne Finch
31 July Accelerate Cape Town – Guy Lundy on 2010
5 August Book Club
12 August Hurdles and Help
14 August Businesswoman of the Year Awards at Emperors Palace
1 September BWA Book Club
23 September Menopause – Bring it on. Dr Alperstein
26 September Spring Breakfast – Who is the BWA?
7 October BWA Book Club
15 October Hurdles and Help
17 October Lunch with Evita Bezuidenhout – in aid of the Darling Trust
4 November Book Club
14 November Chill Out Dinner
19 November BWA Charity Lunch
2009
11 February Budget Presentation at Parliament and workshop on the value of IT resources (Guests of the International Women’s Forum)
14 February Speed dating event
18 February Budget presentation by Nicky Weimar, jointly hosted by the BWA, Nedbank Women’s Forum and Old Mutual Women’s Leadership Forum
20-22 February The Women’s Show
5 March BWA Book Club with author Jane Notten, book dedicated to the BWA