February 2010

Dear BWA Members,

We are well into the year 2010 and some amongst us may already be falling into that trap when the energy and positive attitude that came with the anticipation of the new year is replaced by a rather sluggish and lethargic energy. For some of us, our resolve to maintain our new year’s resolutions is waning and reality is kicking in as the pressures and the demands of everyday life chips away at our very existence.

With February drawing to a close, I have been profoundly moved as I reflect on this historic month in our nation. The release of our icon, father of our nation, the true son of the African soil 20 years ago, helped re-write a history and indeed set in motion, a future that is alive with possibilities for all its people.
A future that you and I have a responsibility to shape for generations to come. We are tasked to leave our own legacy and footprint in this world. The choices we make will determine the impact we have on the nation.

Madiba’s maiden speech February 11 1990 signalled a dawn of a new era. Where, I as a 15 year old at the time, witnessed a promise of a better future when he quoted his own words that he had uttered during his trial in 1964 and said, "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die for.' Seldom has a speech evoked such emotions to many!

Needless to say that words are an insufficient expression and deep gratitude of the extraordinary rare gift we have in Tata Mandela. I count myself priviledged that I was born in his present times, met, and have had the honour to break bread with this legend of our time.

However the struggle still continues and the Long Walk remains. Many of our people still live in abject poverty. In Africa and indeed in South Africa, it is widely acknowledged that poverty has a female face, affecting aspects of women’s lives and their basic human rights. Inadequate service delivery by local authorities has sparked violent protests nationwide. While recognising poverty as a feminized development challenge, we need to continue to urge government to sharpen their approaches to reduction and elimination by taking account of its gendered impacts and dimensions, through policies and legislations that are pro-women!

In the spirit of our freedom fighter, the message I would like to impart is one of perseverance and resilience. It is a message about seizing the day and making the best of all opportunities availed to us. As businesswomen, it is imperative that we never give up on our dreams and goals without a fight. Giving up for the sake of it or as a result of physical and mental laziness takes our fight for gender equality a couple of steps back and results in us undermining the critical foundation laid by phenomenal women the likes of, Marina Maponya, Reeva Forman, Dawn Mokhobo, Pam Golding, Maria Ramos, Futhi Mthoba, Dr. Mamphele Ramphele, Dr. Anna Mokgokong, Jane Raphaely amongst others.

Let us not give up on ourselves as individuals. Let us remain our own best fans, our own best supporters because without that internal positivity, passion and zeal, we have already lost the battle before the war has begun. Let us not give up on each other because whilst our aspirations may vary, we are all ultimately fighting the same battle. Let us not give up on our nation, a country that is blessed in so many ways, has so much more potential, and deserves support from its citizens.

The 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup presents an opportunity for us, the citizens of this country to shine and to uplift the image of our country in the eyes of the international community. This event presents a host of opportunities for each South African to step up and play a role in promoting our country. Ke nako, it’s our time!

I gain great confidence from the various communications that we receive from members, putting forward suggestions about how the BWA can be further revitalized in the face of the effects of the recession and subsequent financial constraints. I would like to encourage members to continue with this type of communication and to continue reflecting on our mission and vision in an attempt to gain further insights into what needs to be done in order to achieve our ultimate goal.

There have been reports that the recession is over and that economies are beginning to recover. However, this does not take away the fact that the damage has already been done. The task at hand now is to find a way of repairing this damage and ensuring that businesses become steady on their feet once again.

Added to that, it is essential for us, as the mothers of the nation to look after the welfare of those who follow behind us. We need to empower ourselves with the requisite knowledge that will allow us to run successful and effective businesses. We need to encourage and mentor upcoming businesswomen. We need to provide employment to the many thousands of people in this country who are struggling to find jobs. We need to continue with the fight for the total eradication of gender discrimination in the corridors of corporate South Africa. We need to persevere and be resilient in the face of adversity. To celebrate the legacy of Madiba, we need to contribute to nation-building.

Finally, as the veil slowly closes on my three year tenure as President of this awesome organisation, I am humbled and indeed honoured to announce the name of our new President-Elect, Ms. Kunyalala Maphisa, who was appointed by the Board after a nomination process.

Kunya, as she is affectionately known, is a dynamo in her own right with an immense passion for the organisation and everything that it represents. She has served the BWA Board with great distinction over the last 3 years. Her astute legal mind has been a great asset to the organisation. I wish her wisdom, perseverance, and resilience, as she leads our country’s businesswomen through the next phase of the BWA’s journey.

For those members who don’t know Ms Maphisa, I have included her picture and a copy of her profile for your reading pleasure. Please click here.  

Let me close with a quote from Nelson Mandela’s speech he made in 2005 when he attended he Make Poverty History rally in London, "Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom."

Thank you.

Basetsana Kumalo
President: Businesswomen's Association