Amid the evolving role of women in South Africa’s business environment, coordinated efforts and collaboration are key in helping to overcome the challenges they faced and in advancing female representation in leadership roles.

This was the topic discussed during Creamer Media’s Women in Business webinar, held on August 13.

Led by an all-female panel and facilitated by Genesis Analytics social impact consultant Marcel Korth, speakers emphasised the importance of resilience and dedication of women in male-dominated sectors.

The panel comprised Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund CEO Tandi Nzimande, Invincible Valves MD Pam du Plessis, Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone CFO Simangele Mvelase, Pele Green Energy project finance senior associate Nicolene Esterhuizen, Minerals Council South Africa mining project specialist Boitumelo Nkomo and Standard Bank global markets strategic partnerships head Lindeka Dzedze.

Korth noted that, while the representation of women on boards had improved, executive leadership and operational decision-making still lagged behind.

“Large capital shifts in energy and industry are under way – shifts that can either entrench existing gaps or open new doors for women to lead and shape the future.

“Our policy frameworks for safe, dignified work are stronger than ever,” he said, noting that companies were expected to show tangible operational progress on preventing harassment and discrimination and to report credibly on their impact.

Additionally, while South Africa has well-developed legislation such as the National Strategic Plan that informs efforts around gender-based violence (GBV) and harassment in the workplace, Nzimande argued that gaps remained with regard to implementation and accountability.

Nzimande posited that not enough resources were allocated towards protection and prevention, noting that many victims of GBV could not access adequate support owing to slow and ineffective action from law enforcement.

“We've got cases that take so long to come through and perpetrators end up not being held accountable, which then creates a culture of impunity because there is no accountability. So, accountability is a strong, strong part of what we really need to be pushing through as well,” she said.

Nzimande argued that more coordinated efforts needed to be pursued in the private sector in terms of responding to GBV and harassment incidents among employees in the workplace or at home, noting the importance of addressing societal and cultural norms that tend to exacerbate a lot of these issues.

“We need to be able to have very supportive environments provided by employers . . . where women have adequate access to reporting mechanisms and support thereafter.”

Esterhuizen argued that purposeful and impactful partnerships between the public and private sectors were necessary to drive transformation for women in business.

“It comes down to partnerships,” she said.

Meanwhile, Nkomo discussed the progress and challenges of women in the mining sector.

“Transformation and change do not happen organically. Transformation and change happen as a result of deliberate attempts, planning, being intentional and leader-led,” she argued.

Nkomo noted that the Minerals Council had leveraged its mobilising power as an industry body, with its member organisations, to assess the state of women in the mining sector and analyse the existing challenges.

She noted that the Minerals Council has revised its Women in Mining strategy that speaks to elevating mentorship programmes, as well as the progression of women in leadership positions, diverse talent development, career advancement and inclusive leadership.

Panellists also discussed the importance of mentorship and partnerships in advancing gender equality across various sectors.

“There is a systemic change that needs to happen, a mindset change that needs to happen that also keeps in mind the psychological battles that women face that preclude them from taking up opportunities, from putting their hands up, from stepping forward,” said Nkomo.

“The call to action is creating these collaborative ecosystems,” said Dzedze.