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Courageous Women are Turning the Tide
More women in South Africa are showing up as impact-makers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. It’s a hard-fought progress that we must celebrate. This month, we focus on courageous women who are turning the tide on the gender gap and creating space for others to rise.
A Positive Shift for Women
South Africa has recently climbed to 20 out of 146 countries in gender gap rankings. This figure indicates women’s increased representation in political structures, public sector employment, and management positions. It’s a promising step forward!
Desiree Ellis, SA Women’s Football Coach, is one of the many fearless trailblazers who’ve contributed to this progress. The Banyana Banyana legend rose from humble beginnings to become the first woman of colour to take charge of a national team in SA and lead them to countless wins. Her story has encouraged women to own their power and challenge societal norms.
Ntsika Biyela, South Africa’s first black female winemaker, is another. More than an award-winning wine producer, Ntsika is a role model for women worldwide and fiercely advocates for their success.
Let’s not forget Wendy Luhabe; entrepreneur and author who founded WIPHOLD, the first women-owned company to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Her work has empowered thousands of women to become economic contenders.
Thriving Against All Odds
For Desiree, Ntsika, Wendy, and others like them, success has not come easy.
Desiree, in 1993, had to navigate apartheid-era laws to play in South Africa’s first ever women’s international football match. Wendy faced scepticism from investors because of gender biases and the belief that women were less capable of producing positive returns.
Despite these challenges, they marched courageously into competitive male-dominated fraternities and pursued their dreams. To thrive, they became resilient, adaptable, strong communicators, and tacticians.
They did it all while maintaining a compassionate element to their leadership, highlighting the unique combination of skills women bring to the workplace.
Desiree Ellis embodies this mix of empathy and drive and hailed the impact relationship-building skills have had on her success. The ability to make authentic connections with people has helped her create a supportive, high-performance environment.
A Custom Approach
Although the efforts of heroines like these inspire action, women must also get access to development that resonates with their unique traits and strengths.
Rosieda Shabodien, Author of What Women Want Coaches to Know, emphasises the importance of creating spaces that help build women up and inspire the best in them. Her book looks at lingering gender biases in many environments, including the coaching profession.
Coaching and mentoring are powerful interventions that must be tailored to fit women’s needs. When we dismantle biases, development initiatives have a much greater impact on the trajectory of women in leadership.
Find Your Voice, Own Your Power
At Change Partners, we address the unique needs of women through our Women in Leadership Program, Leadership Coaching and Executive Coaching for Women initiatives.
We draw from experienced coaches who, as women, have risen to the highest levels of business and understand the journey. We help you overcome issues like imposter syndrome and lack of confidence.
Our leadership development initiatives inspire resilience and adaptability and encourage strong communication skills. They can give you the tools to create space for yourself, lead in challenging environments, and help you reach your full potential.
The future of women’s leadership is brimming with hope!
To those who helped us get here… We’re grateful for your sacrifices and celebrate your courage.
With a diverse team of professionals experienced in unlocking leadership excellence, and tuned to the future of leadership development, Change Partners is perfectly positioned to help you advance.
Simone Le Hane is an International Executive Coach at Change Partners with a wealth of experience in senior leadership roles. She is deeply passionate about coaching and mentoring women to lead with excellence in a demanding business world. Contact her at simonelehane@change.co.za or on 082 555 2875 to help you make a meaningful impact as a leader.
