Local NGO hosts empowerment session in Menlyn

The Mentorship Academy (TMA) and partners recently hosted an engagement session aimed at empowering women within the automotive and other predominantly male-dominated sectors.

Since 2020, TMA has been training and mentoring young women to take up leadership roles within these economic sectors through their various programmes.

On June 26, in partnership with JFS Technology, the NGO hosted mentees, various guests and esteemed keynote speaker, former Deputy-President, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at the Willow boutique hotel for an afternoon.

In her keynote address, Mlambo-Ngcuka said there were key periods in history where women were left marginalised and unaccounted for in the changing world.

She encouraged young women to take advantage of the changing times, educate themselves and come out of their shells.

“In the automotive sector, we need to make sure that women understand all the changes that are soon coming to it,” Dr Mlambo-Ngucuka said.

“The industry is one of the main contributors to global pollution. You have to learn and adapt toward a green economy which is the future we’re headed to. Education is what will give women the competitive advantage in their industry.”

The former president cautioned attendees about the importance of caring for the planet.

Referencing the current water crisis South Africa and other nations face, as well as ongoing climate change, Dr Mlambo-Ngucuka reminded attendees that there’s no “planet B” available and destruction of this one means the destruction of us all.

In closing, Dr Mlambo-Ngucka encouraged women to support one another.

“There’s a special place in hell for women that don’t support other women,” the doctor remarked.

One such attendee inspired by the doctor’s presence at the event was Fatima-Joyce Packery.

A businesswoman in the mining sector for over 20 years, Packery said it’s important for older people to participate in initiatives such as these to inspire the youth.

“It’s as the doctor said if we don’t empower these young people, these young women, we’re doomed; it’s as simple as that,” Packery stated.

Fatima-Joyce herself mentors numerous men and women and is starting her own company she plans to promote in the upcoming months.

Fatima-Joyce advised young people to always be present and monitor their attitude.

“Always stay in the moment no matter what the circumstances are. Leave the Instagrams, Twitters, TikToks, Facebooks and even umjolo. Rather Google things that can help you, what’s affecting our country instead of social media. Your attitude can dictate your circumstances,” Packery stated.

Another attendee and newly-appointed mentee of TMA, Mpho Manzini, said that women still battle for business funding.

“A lot of businesses don’t take off due to not being backed financially. Businesses are not paid on time, banks are not always willing to give small business loans, and in other cases, those who get the money are not trained on how to use it,” Manzini said.

Manzini has been with TMA since last month and has so far been enjoying the experience. Manzini owns her own company Khule Kwetfu Investments.

Lungile Mthiyane, another mentee of TMA, said she first heard of the academy when she was asked to perform at its conversational meetings.

“After that performance, I realised that this is the kind of space I’d like to associate myself with, especially as a young person that is still finding their feet and growing.”

She said the academy is a great way to meet people that can help one navigate their life and help them grow as an individual.

“I recommend the academy to every girl or young woman out there that wants to reach their full potential because, as women, we tend to sell ourselves short and miss out on opportunities for fear and self-doubt.”

She said since she started the programme, she had enough courage and started her business, which also caters for children.

“My business has grown, as the schools and libraries are involved; I honestly believe that it wouldn’t be the way it is if I hadn’t been a part of the academy. I have learnt so much about myself and still learning,” Mthiyane said.

Siphumelele Nkosi of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce shared Manzini’s sentiment, stating that access to finance remains a big hurdle for women to overcome.

“Access to funds is difficult for women. Even just being heard can be challenging because even if you have a great business idea and plan, you can find that no one is interested in what you have to say. So those things need to change,” Nkosi said.

Siphumelele heads an initiative called Women Feed Africa, an effort to bring sustainable food strategies to local townships and communities.

As a qualified nutritionist and through her own company, So Fresh, Siphumelele believes in the importance of teaching people to grow their own food.

“We want to touch at least 500 schools, instilling community and school gardens and transfer skills in the agricultural sector. If we can teach young people to grow their food, that will be a step in the right direction,” Nkosi said.

Director and founder Brenda Mabaso said one of the most common issues that young women face is finding the time to attend to personal and business matters.

“If women fail to find the balance between being mothers and being available 24/7, they are disadvantaged in male-dominated industries,” Mabaso said.

“Imagine, for instance, a young woman in the ICT sector, where you work odd hours because you can be called in at any time. Now a young mother that needs to pick up a child at 17:00 while having a meeting at 19:00 to attend to will always make excuses. Chances of such a woman making it into leadership roles are small.”

Brenda said TMA will be advocating for women in male-dominated sectors by providing leadership training and policy development.

“For us, the issue of generational equality is very important. We want a scenario in which we see more young women being ambitious enough to say, ‘I need that position’. We want young women to challenge the status where they aren’t taking up leadership roles.”

Brenda expressed her gratitude to the various stakeholders as part of the initiative. These included JFS Technology, Sibayeni MetroFarming, Citi Lodge, Willows Boutique Hotel, South East Group, Netcom Digital Design, Hotel@Hartfield and the TMA staff.

TMA said it has a lot of projects in the pipeline, including mentoring female matriculants and graduates and assisting young ladies out of school/college to aim high when entering the workspace. TMA intends to promote gender diversity within male-dominated sectors and encourages companies interested in working with it to get in touch.

“As the doctor was saying, the world is changing, and as it changes, there will be opportunities. But as the saying goes, walala wasala, so if you don’t wake up to look for the opportunities that are out there, you will remain irrelevant. So I encourage young women to occupy spaces that are developmental for them,” Mabaso concluded.

For more information, visit www.mentorshipacademy.co.za

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