Dear Members,

The word feminist is laden with all sorts of negative connotations: strident and aggressive, just for starters. And that’s not what BWA is about. But the number of women at senior management level actually declined last year, and you don’t have to be a feminist to know that’s not okay.

No-one is saying that women should be promoted just because they are women, but we make up over half of South African workforce and there is no shortage of talented and capable women who can contribute significantly.

Half a century after the birth of the Women’s Lib movement, projections from the census indicate that it will take another 50 years for women to achieve gender representation in senior management here in South Africa.

But it’s not all bad news. I had the privilege of meeting the finalists for the BWA Regional Business Achievers Awards; inspiring women who don’t accept that their gender might hold them back, who don’t buy into the limitations that statistical projections might suggest. Talented women who simply work hard, give their best and reap the rewards of that effort.

These women varied dramatically in experience, background, business sector and personality. But each one was energetic, committed and inspiring.

To quote the splendid feminist, Gloria Steinem: “The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day”. Our RBAA finalists probably don’t ever think that their actions might help to change our world, but they will help to create a work environment where future generations, both men and women, won’t have to measure gender equity.

But what about the rest of us? Do we wait for someone to give us the power we need, or do we go and make it happen?

To find out all about our fabulous RBAA finalists, book your seat at the RBBA Gala Dinner on Wednesday, 28 July, and be inspired to achieve even more. See you there!

Regards

The BWA Durban Branch would like to congratulate and applaud the 15 Finalists of the 2010 Regional Business Achievers Awards. Durban is proud to have 15 inspiring and successful women in our midst.

Gita Harie is the Executive Director of Durban & Coastal Mental Health, the largest Mental Health NGO in the country. DCMH aims to assist and empower communities to achieve sustainable real improvement and have changed the lives of almost 40,000 people.	Cindy Norcott is the founder and chairperson of the Robin Hood Foundation, which she founded five years ago. The aim of this foundation is to help the poorest of the poor in the greater Durban area through taking from the rich and giving to the poor.	Thora Mansfield is a founding member and Director of the Open Door Crisis Centre in Pinetown. This centre offers counselling and social services to victims of rape, incest and domestic violence. The also have a shelter for abused women and vulnerable children.

Janet Naidu is the Proprietor of Vulendala Tours, a tour operating company for both locals and tourists. Vulendala promotes educational tours and leadership courses. Vulendala Tours was founded in August 2007.	Hilda Tod is the founding member and co-owner of The Bedroom an exclusive sensual boutique for women. The boutique specialises in the art of pleasure with a goal to make women feel sexy and confident. The Bedroom was founded in November 2007.	Isabelle de Grandpre is the founder and owner of Neat Freak, whose mission is to provide its clients with holistic and personalized organising solutions for their life and the spaces they occupy. Neat Freak was founded in November 2008.

Nicole van Rooyen is the proud owner of three businesses including Sapphire Sun Distribution, two of which she manages entirely and the third she is a silent partner. Two are commercial fuel outlets and the third is a security business.	Linky Delisile Nyanda is the founder of Lakeshore Trading, a 100% women owned company which specializes in general building in both the residential and community areas, renovations and construction skills training.	Ronel Stevens started Speciality Papers in October 2000, a company involved in supplying the school and office stationery market with all their requirements as well as retailing art, paper, craft, educational toys and stationery products to the public.

Mary Lunde is the General Manager of Lusitania Food Products, a division of the Kempston Group. She joined the group in 2005 as a branch manager and was appointed General Manager in 2009.	Nombuso Afolayan is Commercial and Business Development Executive for Vopak, the world's largest provider of conditioned storage facilities for bulk liquids, a position she has held since 2008.

Vanashree Beharie is an optometrist who currently owns two Specsavers practices, both in previously disadvantaged communities. Her mission is to provide first world eye care in an accessible and efficient manner to the communities she serves.	Charmaine Schwenn is a partner and Director at Tate, Nolan and Knight Attorneys, Notaries Public Conveyancers. She specialises in litigation and has practiced as an attorney since 1997.
June McIntyre is a qualified Occupational Therapist and is currently involved in the co-ordination of the wheelchair project of the Operation Jumpstart Association. She is also a lecturer within the discipline of O.T at the University of KwaZulu Natal.	Linda Ness has been practicing structural engineering design for 23 years and started a Consulting Structural and Civil Engineering practice, Linda Ness Associates, where she offers traditional and specialist design services.