CHAIRPERSON?S REPORT

6 April 2006

Through long battles and firm negotiations over the many years, the country?s economy has presented women with dynamic opportunities. Some significant achievements in the country is the appointment of a woman Deputy President, Phuile Mlambo Ngcuka and the appointment of the Businesswomen?s Association CEO, Tina Thoon as the Vice Chairperson of the National Committee for Business Women?s Organisations in South Africa (NCBWO). The momentum for 2010 is building up with provincial government and corporates focussing on strategies and information dissemination.

The year 2005 has been an extremely successful one for the Durban branch of the Businesswomen?s Association. My role as Chairperson of the organisation for the very first time in the year 2005 has been a busy, dynamic and extraordinary experience. For this, I thank the CEO of the Businesswomen's Association South Africa for all her support, direction and guidance. I thank the President of the organisation for her support and belief in the potential of the Durban Branch. Most importantly, I would like to thank the incredible, hardworking, dedicated and committed members of the Durban Committee without whom I cannot use the words ?extremely successful year 2005?. The committee members for the year 2005 were: Emma Du Plooy (Vice Chairperson), Mathabo Kunene, Nimo Naidoo, Viv Turk, Matjale Matsaung (Chairperson of the Winning in the Workplace Sub Committee), Margaret Kruger, Janice Rimbault and Bea Campbell-Young (resigned in January 2006). A very special acknowledgement goes to Nonkululeko Matiwane who has done an excellent job in co-ordinating the branch on a full time basis. I also take this opportunity to recognise the members of the Winning in the Workplace Sub-Committee. This sub-committee had excelled in conceptualising, fundraising and implementing the annual social responsibility project of the Durban branch ? Winning in the Workplace for girls in matric. They took the project to a higher level in the design, media coverage and fundraising. Each of the ten essay winners received with other special gifts, a computer (sponsored by Telkom) with software (sponsored by Microsoft). The impact of the quality of speakers, prizes and gifts, venue and professionalism made this event stand out. Thank you to the BWA members, committee members, winners and finalists of the RBAA 2003, 2004 and 2005 for the generous contributions that made a difference in the lives of the deserving young future leaders of tomorrow.

Finance
The year was extremely successful, not only in the of the quality and type of functions that were hosted but also in the of the income and surplus generated by the end of the financial year. It is for the very first year that the branch had generated such a healthy surplus. This not only made it possible for the branch to repay a sizeable loan received in the year 2003 from the BWA head office but also enabled the branch to invest in updated technology for the branch office in the year 2006.

Membership
In December 2004 when the newly appointed committee sat together, we addressed a membership base of one hundred and four members. Our ambition was to increase the membership to two hundred members by the end of 2005. We have achieved one hundred and eighty three members with one hundred and fifty nine paid up members. The vision was to create a broad diversity of members representative of the South African population and in the of business sector. This has been successfully achieved and will continually be the focus.

Functions
The purpose of the BWA is to provide a platform for discussion, debate and information sharing on topical issues and the economy, to foster network linkages (individuals, corporates sector and government), recognise and acknowledge high achieving women in the business, professional and corporate sectors and to motivate women in business.

The following functions were held to achieve this in the year 2005:

On 28 January 2005 ? BEE Panel Discussion with guests and the President of BWA, Dr Namane Magau that was attended by 68 members and guests.
A strategy meeting with the BWA Committee on 30 January 2005
A presentation on the Budget Speech by Nicky Weimer, the Nedbank Senior Economist on 8 March 2005. Fifty members and guests.
On 19 April 2005 a BEE Workshop was conducted by Portia Nondo, National winner of the Business Woman of the Year Award 2004. Members and Guests attended ? 48
On 24 May a B2B Networking session was held with two members conducting short presentations ( Janet Aldworth and Menaka Padayachee) and Mr Wally Meyer of PUM a Netherlands based mentoring project. Members and Guests attended ? 15
On 29 June, the 2005 RBAA ceremony and Gala Dinner was held with 200 members and guests in attendance.
On 29 July 2005, a joint venture between BWA and the BIDVest Group was held with special guests being His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Obed Mlaba and the MEC of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Zweli Mkhize. 120 members and guests were in attendance.
On 9 August, the Winning in the Workplace project was implemented with 200 matric girls and teachers from 78 schools
On 28 September a B2B Networking was conducted with 32 Members and guests
On 6 October, a workshop on IDC was conducted with Kanyi Ntloko, the Marketing Officer of the KZN Branch and Sade Fasedemi, the Accounts Manager of the Africa Unit. 20 members and guests attended.
On 12 October, Nicky Weimer conducted a presentation on the State of the Economy. 33 members and guests attended.
On 21 October, A breakfast session on Golf was held at the Durban Country Club with 25 members and guests in attendance.
On 16 November, Coronation Investment Fund presented the BWA Investment Fund for Members. The BWA Zululand branch joint ventured with ourselves. Twelve members and guests attended.
The year end function was held on 29 November with a guest speaker talking about Stress Management. The function was attended by 41 members and guests.
On 18 January 2006, Monhla Hlahla, BWOYA winner for 2005 conducted a road show sharing her journey to success as CEO of ACSA. This function was attended by 30 guests.
On 23 February, A presentation on the Budget Speech was conducted by Nicky Weimer, the Senior Economist from Nedbank. Forty members and guests attended.

We are aware that the range of functions do not satisfy the needs of all members. We have constantly called for members to come forward with needs and ideas. Unfortunately, this has not quite happened. To address this, we have scheduled a strategic planning workshop with all members. This is scheduled for 20 April 2006. We will host the National BWA President, Dr Namane Magau. Dr Magau will present the organisations national strategy and focus on key issues regarding outreach, empowerment of women in Business and Leadership, partnerships with big business, support to emerging businesses and establishing partnerships with local government with a focus on cooperatives and the DTI incentives. We are also privileged to host four women Mayors from Pietermaritzburg. Please do attend this strategic planning workshop to inform the organisation of your needs.

BWA head office conducts a Census on Women in Business Annually. This year we present a joint event with Statistics South Africa were the results of the Census will be presented in Durban.

The Branch has an exciting calendar for the year 2006 and we look forward to adding more value to it with you input.

The organisation constantly looks for members who can serve on the branch committee to take the organisation to new heights. If you have the time to commit and focussed on assisting the organisation achieve its mission, we look forward to your contribution on the committee for the year 2006.

I take this opportunity to thank you, the membership of the BWA Durban Branch for your continued support.

I leave you with a few words of importance to me. Robert Cooper an author on Leadership skills writes and I quote:

?Things that matter the most should never be at the mercy of things that matter the least.?
?Where you find your passion, you will find your motivation.?
?Leadership is the act of making it work.?
?Being who you are when nobody is there.?
?Living life not from the rim, but from the front ?the centre.?
?Bring out the best in others?
?Excel instead of competing.?
?Learn from every stumble and set back.?
?Always have a curios mind, a listening ear and a open heart.?
?Have the heart of a Rhino and the Soul of an Angel.?
I unqoute.
This is what makes a true leader ? who will survive standing against the tide!

Vaneetha Moodley

Chairperson

2005