PAST EVENTS

BE CONFIDENT NETWORKING ON THE GREENS

21 October 2005
Durban Country Club

A breakfast was held at the Durban Country Club as an introductory talk and informal networking to unlock the mysteries of golf and empower our members to get started or at least walk away with an understanding of golfing clients or colleagues.

Liz du Plessis, an experienced golfer, outlined what to wear, etiquette, language, start up costs and lessons to all novice golfers.

Members enjoying breakfast

Viv Turk (Committee Member), Liz Du Plessis (an experienced golfer) & Janice Rimbault (Committee Member)

B-2-B Networking evening

28 September 2005
Star Anise
Review by: Janice Rimbault

The second B-2-B networking function was attended by 34 people (including 4 committee members and the co-ordinator).

The evening was introduced by Emma du Plooy, with a short talk by Janice Rimbault on the benefits of networking. The event was based on the Speed Networking concept with a structured roster and time allocation for interaction between attendees. This ensures that the benefit is gained from the evening through interacting with as many of the other members as possible.

The venue proved most successful, with a tasty range of unusual snacks being provided by Star Anise. The secure parking, easy access and relaxed decor of the restaurant was also appreciated by the attendees.

From the feedback received at the event and afterwards, it was considered a success. It is obvious that BWA members want events such as this, which promote effective networking amongst women.

Winning in the Workplace

9 August 2005
Elangeni Hotel
Review by: Matjale Matsaung
 

?I?m like a teabag: you don?t know how strong I am until you put me in boiling water?? ? young WIWP learner

The night before?

On the evening of 8 August, 9 phenomenal BWA women gathered to prepare 160 learners and 40 educators for a day they would always remember. A day that would enrich their knowledge of the workplace, introduce them to imperative business and life skills, allow them to explore and discover some of their talents and teach them to dream.

Amantha Maharaj, Natalie Hands, Nonkululeko Matiwane, Margaret Kruger, Matjale Matsaung, Ruth Grantham, Shiraz, Khan, Zainab Mahomed, and Vani Moodley our Chairperson, were hard at work putting together 200 goodie bags filled with every teenage girl?s dream: cosmetics, personal care products, pamper packs, magazines, stationery and books to the brim.

During the planning phase of the project, these women had done a superb job of leading designated portfolios that were the key pillars for a successful day; from Schools Management, to Sponsorship, Speakers & Performers, Programme Management and Events Management.

This year?s essay topic that the girls wrote on was ?Imagine: South Africa?s Female President by 2010? What will it mean for our country?? The room was aptly and brightly decorated in South African flag colours. The d?cor sponsored by Magic Moments combined with the talents of Izani Events Management, captured the ?Africa meets Business? theme well.

An early morning?

The girls from 56 schools arrived to morning tea at The Elangeni Hotel, with their essays completed and ready to be graded by our expert panel of Markers: Professor Fikile Mazibuko, Mariam Motalla and Caryn Walker

The findings by our markers were significant and the committee made a decision to send the report to the KZN Ministry of Education.

Top Knowledge Sharing?

The BWA was privileged to have a programme of high calibre businesswomen impart their knowledge and share their successes. This in itself is considered to be sponsorship from our speakers, some of whom spent most of the day with us.

In order to set the tone for the day, we were presented with a brief introduction to Networking by Margaret Kruger, followed by:

• Cindy Norcott on her Success as a Woman Entrepreneur
• Vuyo Mahlati our Guest Speaker, who gave the girls Lessons for Success
• Bea Campbell-Young on how to approach independence in When Chains Break
• Dominique Nass on How to use Assertiveness in the Workplace
• Menake Padayachee on using EQ (Emotional Intelligence) in the Workplace
• Carol Baekey on Landing that First Job
• Thandi Dlamini on how to Make it in Business, without a tertiary qualification
• Nonhlanhla Shangase on Lifestyles? inside and outside
• Nosipho Damasane on Being a Top Woman in a Male-dominated industry
• Mariane Vorster taught the girls the importance on Managing my Finances
• Vani Moodley spoke on Relationships in the Workplace
• Hilary Mitchell?s Personal Branding talk was quite memorable as it was followed by a ?Battle of the Brands? session, where we asked each girl to brand themselves.

The room then voted for the best personal brand:
?I am like a teabag: you don?t know how strong I am until you put me in boiling water??. So if we happen to call you a teabag, it is in fact a compliment!

In order for WIWP projects to be deemed successful, we need to hear directly from the girls what their expectations of the day are and meet their needs. An evaluation form scoring the speakers and the event was completed by each attendee. The feedback enables BWA to understand what the most pertinent issues in the lives of young matriculants are and shape the programme for 2006.

Between the educational talks, Nokwazi Ngidi entertained the girls with modern dancing, Rampule with jazzy notes from his musical fingertips and DJ Mdu with his latest mixes.

The girls were excited to have Desire Simelane of East Coast Radio (ECR) as the day?s master of ceremonies even before she arrived. Desire and the entertainers gave of their time and kept the girls and educators singing, dancing and attentive.

And the winner is?

Nonhlanhla Shangase joined us for the day in her capacity as CEO of The Telkom Foundation, one of our two title sponsors, as did Lunga Ngcobo, Public Relations Manager of South African Port Operations.

The Telkom Foundation sponsored each of the top 10 Essay Winners with a Personal Computer, run by Microsoft sponsored software. The foundation also sponsored 200 copies of ?Inspirational Women at Work? by Lisel Erasmus-Kritzinger and transport to and from the venue for girls who lived exceptionally far out of Durban.

To assist the top girl in operating her brand new PC, Varsity College sponsored a year?s computer training course.

South African Port Operations sponsored the venue, all catering, which came with an Events Management company, Izani, to support the team from beginning to end.

Our markers had completed the process and excitement rose in those girls who had taken the time to complete a 400-word essay, each hoping that they would be the lucky one to claim the incredible prizes. The top ten girls ranked from the winner down were:

• Nasreen Cassim, Alsala College
• Nqobile Bhengu, Inqabakazulu High School
• Nomfundo Khanyile, Inqabakazulu High School
• Zandile Lushaba, Intshisekelo High School
• Zainab Moola, Inqabakazulu High School
• Felima Kista, Reservoir Hills Secondary School
• Phindile Hlombe, Sacred Heart
• Ebrahim James, Ali-Falaah College
• Nosipho Dladla, Durban South Secondary
• Zizo Tutshana, St James College

The winning girl also received some key prizes such as free BWA membership for 2006, which will allow Nasreen to start her journey as a businesswoman quite early in life. Nandi Heritage sponsored an all-expenses trip to Bidvest Head Offices in Johannesburg, where the top girl will spend a day with the CEO of the organisation to see for herself ?how it?s done?.

Our congratulations to Inqabakazulu High School for having three of the top ten winners.

In recognising our Sponsors for the day, we must begin with the BWA businesswomen who stepped up to the mark and generously sponsored the event:

• Mathabo Kunene (Nandi Heritage)
• Theodora Ngidi (NT Ngidi & Consulting)
• Nazira Osman (BP Arena Park)
• Susan Abro (Susan Abro Attorney)
• Shireen Pillay (City Plastics)
• Georgina Mulder (Designing Women)
• Yegus Naidoo (WoodStreet Furniture Manufacturers
• Rene Wyatt (Spar), who assisted us in securing Johnson & Johnson sponsorship
• Shiraz Khan (Shiraz Khan Optometrists)
• Thina Siwendu (Siwendu & Partners) *** prize deferred to 2006

Other key Sponsors who the day could not have been held without included:

Winning in the Workplace has proven itself a recipe for success and with the increased generosity of the sponsors we have grown both in the number of attendees and extended our reach to areas beyond the greater Durban. This is an opportunity for leading businesswomen to give of themselves and / or their businesses, and in so doing contribute to the success of a girl?s future career.

The 2006 event marks our 10th anniversary which in itself speaks of the impact that the event has gained over the years. So if you want to do something meaningful on Women?s Day please contact BWA and you too can share in the WIWP vibe.

BWA AND BIDVEST GROUP NETWORKING BREAKFAST

29 July 2005
Hilton Hotel

Emma Du Plooy, Thembi Kunene, Vani Moodley & Mathabo Kunene

The Bidvest Group, in conjunction with the Businesswomen's Association, hosted a breakfast meeting where Bidvest showcased its offerings to approximately 150 business people. The speakers included Mathabo Kunene, a non executive board member of Bidvest and a committee member of the BWA, Thembi Kunene, Commercial Director of Bidvest.

The Mayor of Ethekwini Municipality, Obed Mlaba, Derek Naidoo, also of Ethekwini Municipality, and the MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Dr Zweli Mkhize were also present at this prestigious event.

Mathabo Kunene spoke about Prestige Cleaning as an example of opportunities that exist for women. She said she saw BWA as a vehicle that would also show women the way forward - a sentiment also expressed by Dr Mkhize. Dr Mkhize said that South Africa was in transition as its people regained denied opportunities and so added to the economic development of Durban, the province and ultimately to that of South Africa. "This means one has to ensure that the playing fields are levelled, both in relation to women and race... and also young and old."

"Economic development is about making sure that we broaden the partnership of people. Those who were previously overlooked, especially women, must be included. In this way we will construct our country and grow the economy. Skills development is another area that must be overlooked," says Dr Mkhize.

B-2-B Networking Evening

24 May 2005
University of KZN
Review by: Janice Rimbault

The first BWA B-2-B networking function was held at the Leadership Centre of the University of KwaZulu Natal's Graduate School of Business. The function was attended by approximately 25 people. The presenters included Wally Meyer (PUM), Janet Aldworth (Voyager Travel) and Menaka Padayachee (Workplace Unit).

Mr Meyer spoke about the services offered by PUM (a Netherlands based consultancy) to local South African businesses. Ms Aldworth shared with us the value of using the services of an efficient travel agent, and Ms Padayachee spoke about EQ (emotional qoutient) in the workplace.

Drinks were sponsored by SA Breweries and a cash bar was operated on an honesty basis. From the feedback received from attendees, the event was a success and will be repeated in August.

How to BEE Compliant

19 April 2005

Nedbank Auditorium

Review by: Bea Campbell-Young

BEE partnerships need not be daunting and complicated

"Unpack all the facets that underpin the transaction when planning a BEE Partnership". These were the wise words spoken by Portio Nondo, the Head of Business Banking's specialised BEE Unit.
 

Portia Nondo, Head of Nedbank Business Banking's specialised BEE Unit with Kogie Moodley, Nedbank

During this empowering event, Portia Nondo encouraged BWA Members and guests to enter into a partnership and not to "give away" their business to be BEE compliant. The importance of involving all stakeholders, including Banking, Accounting Firms and Independent Consultants was underlined in forming a BEE compliant business.
 

Vani Moodley, BWA Durban Chairperson & Jane Wiltshire, Valbridge Trust

Jane Wiltshire of Valbridge Trust reiterated this and stated that empowerment should not be in name only. Previously disadvantaged individuals can truly become empowered by becoming BEE compliant and finding the right partnerships for their businesses.

From the "Questions" period of the event it became clear that there are still many questions that will need answering in the weeks and months to come. The need exists within business for small groups of PDI's to forms consortiums in their respective fields and to register as possible partners to businesses who wish to engage individuals or consortiums, to enable BEE compliance through tangible and profitable partnerships.

BEE Leading the way into the new year

28 January 2005
Mt Edgecombe Country Club
Review by: Bea Campbell-Young

"The enabling transformation policies and leadership set by our President have assured South Africa of a leading role with reference to BEE, whereas in other countries, corporates are leading government." This was the message from BWA President, Dr Namane Magau at the Regional Dialogue on BEE.

Tina Thomson (BWA CEO), Dr Namane Magau

(BWA President) & Vanie Moodley (BWA Durban Chairperson)

The Panel Discussion on Black Economic Empowerment proved to be a highly successful start to the New Year and our goal to create a dynamic forum and grow all women in business. Members and guests were allowed to question the panel and contribute their views on the questions, underlining the need for workshops and discussion regarding Black Economic Empowerment.

BWA Members & Guests

The dynamic panel that held members and guests captivated also included: