Lunch, business and conversation
MIDRAND - On 16 August, Amaqhawe Business Consultants brought women together in Midrand's CBD to mark Women's Month and to celebrate their contribution to the business world.
The managing director of Amaqhawe, Themba Gcabashe, was pleased by the turnout. “We saw the need to celebrate the spirit of women because we work a lot with women. This has humbled me, this is their moment. Women in this country need to be given space and respect,” he said.
The young Thembelihle Hadebe was an inspiration to the women in the room with her story of how she came from a village in KwaZulu-Natal but now owns a company.
Hadebe, who at the age of 22 is CEO of her own company, Qadikazi Supply Chain and Trading, gave an inspiring testimonial. “I finished my degree in philosophy and Zulu last year. What I’ve learnt and what keeps me going is that in whatever you do, maximise control and take charge. You have to be calm in order to accept bad news and you need courage to change things.”
Another speaker, Amanda Jvhuho, a non-executive director at Avusa Group and CEO for Z Capital Investment, educated her peers about the ins and outs of running a successful business. “As an owner of a business, differentiate yourself within the business. Are you the strategist or implementer? You cannot do it all, therefore surround yourself with the best people,” she said.
The networking lunch-turned-seminar had another power-woman, Caroline Thabana, project manager at Development Bank of Southern Africa. She advised the businesswomen on how to secure funding from government. She said it is important to not misrepresent their business yet they must give enough information on the business for donors to understand the essence of what they offer.
