Women in leadership celebrated at Southern Sun Women’s Month event
Former UCT Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng brought the house down at the Southern Sun Women’s Month event, where women leaders celebrated resilience, brilliance, and impact.
In a world that often rewards flash over substance, Southern Sun and Proudly South African came together on August 28 to honour a different kind of leadership, one rooted in resilience, authenticity, and impact.
Read more: Southern Sun honours women’s leadership with a call for authenticity and resilience
Held at Southern Sun Katherine Street in Sandton, the Women’s Month event brought together nearly 100 influential women in business, civil society, and entrepreneurship, all united under the theme, Resilience and brilliance in leadership.
Now in its 10th year in partnership with Proudly SA, the gathering was not just a celebration; it was a powerful reflection on what legacy-driven leadership looks like in action.
“Leaders don’t just come and go, they last,” said Candy Tothill-Kruger, Southern Sun’s head of corporate affairs. “Through challenges like Covid, women have not only held onto leadership roles, they’ve emerged stronger, more decisive, and more focused than ever.”
Tothill-Kruger also noted the group’s commitment to women across its operations, with more than 50% of Southern Sun’s employees being women, and close to 50% of its executives are too. “Many of our hotels are run by women. This celebration wasn’t just internal, it was about recognising our broader impact, from entrepreneurs to community leaders.”
But it was keynote speaker Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, the former University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor and outspoken academic who brought the house down with her raw and radical message, “Leadership must be true to self, or it is no leadership at all.
“When a man is tough, he’s called decisive. When a woman is the same, she’s called controversial,” said Phakeng. “So yes, call me controversial. I lead with integrity, in boots and jeans. I don’t steal. I don’t cheat. I speak truth to power.”
Her address challenged the audience to reject performative leadership and instead embrace the version of themselves that was ‘created for a reason, warts and all.’
Also read: Highlights of Women’s financial struggles and progress
Phakeng spoke candidly about her own refusal to conform to outdated expectations. When appointed vice-chancellor of UCT, she declined the costly inauguration event and redirected the budget to help 100 students clear debts and graduate, changing the trajectory of their lives.
“That R2m was meant for my party. Instead, we gave 100 students their futures back.”
She also urged women to collect and cherish their moments of power, visual and emotional reminders of their strength during times of doubt. “When the noise gets loud, go back to those moments. Remind yourself who you are.”
Nolwazi Dlamini, an entrepreneur and attendee, said the event gave her more than inspiration; it gave her perspective. “This reminded me why I lead,” Dlamini said. “It’s easy to get caught up in proving yourself, but hearing Prof Phakeng speak reminded me to lead with purpose, not for recognition, but for impact.”
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