Businesswomen's Associations
10 May 2006 8:30am
Killarney Mall, House of Coffees
WELCOME & APOLOGIES
President of the BWA, Dr Magau welcomed:
BWA Members Present
Branch Chairpersons
NOTICE OF MEETING
Notice of the AGM was sent out 21 days prior to the meeting.
ESTABLISHMENT OF VOTING STRENGTH
Dr Magau asked the CEO Tina Thomson to confirm that there were 38 people present and that there were over 82 proxies available for inspection if required.
There were 2000 registered members for the BWA as of the date of the AGM, thus requiring 100 proxies / members attending in total, to make a quorum.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AGM HELD 6 MAY 2005
No corrections or amendments were submitted. A motion was called to clarify that the minutes are a true reflection of the previous AGM.
Proposed by ? Yvonne Finch
Seconded by ? Ferose Oaten
PRESIDENT?S REPORT
The BWA has over the past year extended its work and impact in support of empowerment of Businesswomen in South Africa. As the CEO?s Report indicates, there has been a number of Programs initiated to promoting the development of women in particular businesswomen. Our Flagship Projects like the Businesswoman of the Year and Census on corporate Women Leaders continue to have an impact.
As we are challenged to meet the demands of change in the business and market environments, we are learning new ways of developing business opportunities and benefiting our members. One of the key emerging focus areas are the development of concrete business opportunities, building on the extensive networks that we have established. The linkages are both local and global, and the support that is developing in some regions will extend beyond the membership of BWA, because our mission is to inspire and grow women within and outside of BWA.
What follows are some of the key events from the past few months, which gives an indication of where we are as an organization and where we are going:
1. KAZAKHSTAN BWA ? EXTENDING BUSINESS ALLIANCES
Our networks as an organization are growing because of role we play both in South Africa and globally. As indicated in the teleconference, I attended a EURASIA Summit in Kazakhstan on the invitation of the country?s Businesswomen?s Association. The Summit was attended by key Business and political leaders from the country including those from other countries. The South African Embassy in Kazakhstan played a key role in facilitating my attendance, and promoted the proposal to establish partnership between Kazakhstan BWA and the South African counterpart. There is already a framework of agreement between the City of Johannesburg and Almaty, which is the financial hub of Kazakhstan. They see the partnership between the two organizations as an important vehicle for promoting trade between the two countries.
Following the Summit, we have a Delegation of Businesswomen from the country coming from the 21st to 29th May 2006. The Mayor of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo will host a dinner reception in honour of their coming on the 22nd May (see attached delegates list). He sees this as an important platform for collaborating with the BWA on promoting trade and implementation of international trade agreements. That places us in a key role for facilitating access to business opportunities provided by trade bilateral agreements. It is however important to note that participation will involve enabling involvement of other entrepreneurs.
2. UNDP REGIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
The BWA is working with the DTI and other key International Development structures to promote the development of women-owned enterprises. Last year UNDP introduced an initiative to launch a fund for the development of women owned enterprises in Africa. As indicated in an earlier report, the program has three poles, West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. The Southern African Pole is being coordinated from South Africa and includes SADC countries. We are linking up the plans with the current development frameworks in the Region. A starting point will be a workshop which will be done with UNIDO to train women in export trade. Unfortunately only a limited number of enterprises will be selected for the Program, but it will develop a model for follow up training and support. This will promote trade across the region for women-owned enterprises. The businesses will get both technical support and funding to enable them to grow. Clearly the focus is on growing women?s businesses in the region.
We are at a point where developments are coming together. The same way that the facilitation role that was driven by Regions at local levels has helped develop frameworks for further growth, the diverse programs can complement new initiatives. This reflects the growing maturity of BWA as an organization. Within this context, the alliance with the City Council will also be an important platform for promoting this active growth of women-owned businesses. The City Mayor appreciates the value we can add in ensuring that the trade agreements are implemented, and for us it creates an opportunity to participate. The Mayor?s Office has proposed that they would like to have a workshop with us on the trade agreements that they have already established.
3. REGIONS GROWING FROM RESPONSIVENESS TO LOCAL NEEDS
BWA is growing its membership base by being responsive to needs of its members. This is also done through its strengthening alliances with business and government at local levels. One of the key recommendations from the strategic workshop we had beginning of the year, was the need to promote membership drive. It was also highlighted that BWA is operating in a changing environment, where there are many women?s organizations emerging to meet the need of businesswomen. We noted as BWA that we are complementary to other organizations and that that added to the value we provide. We also noted that our relevance also required that we have a strong membership reflecting the significance of our role. This meant that we had to promote the positioning of BWA in a way that increases value for members.
The Johannesburg Branch is thinking about how to stimulate business opportunities for members within their region, across the regions and globally.. Gauteng being the business centre, is exposed to a dynamic membership which increasingly requires new services and in particular business opportunities. It has to meet both the challenges of robust business opportunities and development of entrepreneurs in our communities. One of their new focus areas will be to extend their support through satellite centers to townships. The Business woman of Tomorrow project is also a great project for reaching out to young girls in communities.
The Durban Branch has established a sound working relationship and network with key structures in both business and government. Their support to Mayors in their region is applauded. It is clear from the event that the facilitation role that the Branch adopted is bearing fruit. Clearly the establishment of alliances was to both enable unlocking of value at local government level and promote participation of business. Another key area is that they are taking on is the focus on bigger business opportunities in the BEE space through partnerships. There are already BEE deals that they are considering for facilitation. A clear indication that when you focus on building, value and opportunity follows.
The Pretoria branch is also looking at working out a strategy to promote business opportunities, as one of the ways to increase membership drive. The coming of the woman Mayor, is also an opportunity for them to raise the awareness of the need to empower women enterprises. This will not only create opportunities for them but will also enable them to actively support economic empowerment activities. That will be an exceptional way of branding the BWA positively and draw membership.
I could only draw from the few Regions that I have visited recently to give you some insight into how we are evolving as an organization. This Year is going to be a great success, as we build on the seeds from the past. It is also a year of learning, as the challenges continue to grow. I applaud the BWA head Office and the Regional Offices for the good financial report we have from the past year. Again, an indication of growth.
All of this success could not have been achieved, if it were not for the many leaders at both National and local levels, who commit their time for the growth of the BWA, and I would like to thank them. The Vice-President, the CEO, Chairs of Regional Branches and Coordinators have contributed in making the success. A special word of appreciation goes to Nedbank, for their ongoing support and contributions in growing BWA and extending its impact on empowerment of women in South Africa.
The president then asked the members to ratify the appointment of the auditors Grant Thornton.
This was endorsed by Truida Prekel.
CEO'S REPORT
The 2005 year was busy, and thus far, 2006 has been incredibly demanding yet rewarding, but at the speed of light?
I wish to highlight some of our BWA Projects & Benefits (all on the website)
- The BWA?s commitment to BEE in order to transform South Africa and build a sustainable economy
- A diligent, noble, worker BEE, whose labour kings and laymen use for health and healing
- To cross-pollinate know-how and skills to all businesses and organizations
- The body of the BEE is made of roses ? a symbol of love
- The 4 wings on the BEE represent the 4 elements of mankind?s existence, fire, water, air and earth
- The 3 beads on the BEE?s neck are the 3 components of humans ? body, mind and soul and / or the 3 components of all matter ? protons, neutrons and electrons
- Businesswoman of the year 2005 - we honoured the founder members of the founder organisations ? key note speaker was our Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. We awarded 11 bursaries countrywide from the proceeds of the gala dinner.
- Businesswomen of Tomorrow Initiative ? core purpose is to: "Harness the potential of young women by economically and emotionally empowering them to make creative, informed life and career choices through integrated intervention focused on creating a South African society with balanced female representation in business leadership and direct contribution to economic sustainability.? This project will launch in June this year in Soweto. In 2007 we will roll out the project to the whole country.
- BWA Investment Fund Launch ? how many of you have invested at only R 250 per month? You need to build your future now!
- BWA Development Fund Launch - Jenna Clifford (rose royalties) first benefactor ? the fund will provide bursaries for undergraduate women who are going into business
- BWA Nedbank Group Schemes - financial benefits for BWA members
- Corporate Forum for Corporate Members
- Free State branch launch in October 2005
- Magazine launch ? our very own BWA magazine!
- Mentoring Programmes for entrepreneurs ? vital information that no text book or business school can teach
- NCBWO (National Committee of Business Women?s Organisations) launch by dti with BWA as member, and CEO as vice-chairperson
- Personal Protection Programme, (P3), for all paid-up members in 2006 ? this is for accidental infection of HIV Aids
- Regional Business Achiever Awards ? huge success countrywide with amazing finalists and winners
- SA Women in Corporate Leadership Census - the 2006 SA Women in Corporate Leadership Census was a worthwhile project and the launch of the results to the media on 25 April had tremendous impact. Women are still underrepresented in corporate South Africa, and it was distressing to note that the number of women in executive management dropped by 3%. However, there is an overall improvement in the representation of women in leadership roles since we first researched corporate SA in 2004.
- Swaziland Businesswoman of the Year ? the BWA assisted Nedbank Swaziland in launching the first Swaziland Businesswoman of the Year in September 2005
- Thumbprint Leadership International Link ? this is a weblink to support and assist leaders and it is a free service to BWA members
- Wellness at Work ? we have to maintain our health: body, mind and soul, in order to function at our best, so we also have experts in the field of wellness at our disposal
- A-Z of events, workshops, seminars and conferences ? the branches have held some exemplary events and there is a stimulating line-up for the rest of 2006 too!
So, as you can hear, the BWA is a dynamic forum and we will continue to adapt to the changing trends and challenges of SA business.
This year?s Businesswoman of the Year Gala Award evening will be held on 2 August at Sandton Convention Centre and it will be as exciting as ever before. I urge you to buy the "early bird" tickets at half price as soon as they are launched on 15 May ? there are only 50 available @ R 550.00 each.
It is with great pride that I congratulate each BWA Branch Chairperson, Coordinator and Committee for a profitable 2005?. Our financial statements reveal that 2005 was a good year for the BWA! I wish to express my gratitude to my 2.I.C., Michelle Buthelezi for her dedication and selfless efforts. Busi Mkhabele, my Personal Assistant, is always willing to do whatever it takes to get the show on the road ? thank you. The BWA President, Dr Namane Magau and the Vice-President, Yvonne Finch are inspiring women and I am privileged to work alongside them. I thank the BWA Council Members for a successful 2005 and I know that if 2006 continues at this pace, it will be a bumper year for the BWA.
TREASURER?S REPORT
The annual financial statements before you for the year ended 31 December 2005 are as prepared by the auditors Grant Thornton and signed by Council on the 6 March 2006.
The salient features of the past financial year were as follows:
- Grant Thornton were appointed as auditors in November 2005 and since their appointment have worked diligently and efficiently to complete the audit in record time.
- The figures for the year are encouraging in that as at close of the year the Association had cash in the bank of R 739 750.
- Income primarily derived from sponsorships, networking functions and workshops showed an increase of 11% whilst expenditure rose by 10%.
- Nett income for the year was R 171 370, an increase of 29% on the previous year.
- Bursary income received was R 93 122 with bursaries to the value of R 96 333 having been paid out nationally.
I would like to congratulate our CEO Tina Thompson, our bookkeeper Elizabeth Schwellnus and our National Administrator Michelle Buthelezi for their outstanding work during the year in ensuring that all financial reporting and systems have been improved and streamlined.
NAMES OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
- Dr Namane Magau
- Tina Thomson
- Dr Thandi Ndlovu
- Yvonne Finch
- Ferose Oaten
- Clara Priester
- Vani Moodley
- Jane Stevenson
- Kathy van Tilburg
- Mary Wrench
- Annemarie Swanepoel
- Celeste Frisby
- Ansa Terblanche
GENERAL
Dr Magau asked Cape Town member Truida Prekel to say a few words in memory of BWA Founding Member Val Mickelburgh who passed away today.
Truida said that Val was the first Businesswoman of the Year Award Winner in 1980. She was a pioneering businesswoman, strategic thinker who amongst many things was also the first woman to become an oil trader.
A moment of silence was observed in her honour.
VOTE OF THANKS
The President thanked the meeting for attending.
The meeting closed at 9:25am.