Southern Sun honours women’s leadership with a call for authenticity and resilience
Brilliance, resilience, and authenticity took centre stage at the Southern Sun Women’s Month event, where nearly 100 women leaders gathered to reflect on their journeys, honour their strength, and reaffirm the power of leading unapologetically.
Southern Sun and Proudly South African came together to host a stirring Women’s Month celebration on August 28, under the theme Resilience and Brilliance in Leadership, bringing together close to 100 powerful women from business, entrepreneurship, and civil society at Southern Sun Katherine Street.
Celebrating its 10th year in partnership with Proudly SA, Southern Sun used this milestone event to honour the incredible journeys of women leaders, many of whom have weathered personal and professional storms, including the pandemic, while continuing to lead with strength and purpose.
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Southern Sun head of corporate affairs Candy Tothill-Kruger said, “Leaders don’t just come and go, they last. Women have held leadership positions through major crises like Covid and have come out stronger. That’s what this was about: lasting leadership, intelligent decision-making, and standing in your power.”
She added, “Over 50% of our workforce is made up of women, and nearly 50% of our executives are women. The majority of our hotels are actually run by women. This event was to acknowledge not only our employees but the broader community of women we support, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and leaders who continue to make a difference.”
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The keynote address by Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, former vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town and a celebrated academic and change maker, delivered a fiery, fearless message on the power of authenticity and what it means to lead as a woman in a world shaped by patriarchal norms.
“When a man makes tough decisions, he’s called decisive. When a woman does the same, she’s called controversial. So, call me controversial then. I speak truth to power. I don’t steal, I don’t cheat. I lead with integrity, boots and jeans and all.”
Phakeng urged women to resist conforming to expectations imposed by traditional models of leadership.
“When you give up your authentic self to fit in, you deny the world the version of you that God created warts and all,” she said.
She encouraged the audience to create personal moments of power folders, a place to store images, memories, and affirmations that remind them of their strength when things get tough. “When the voices of negativity get loud, click on that folder. Remind yourself who you are.”
From her decision to cancel her own vice-chancellor inauguration to fund student graduations instead, to flying economy while others flew business, Phakeng’s talk was a powerful reminder that leading with values is not only possible but impactful.
“That was budgeted for the inauguration. We selected students who could benefit, and we only managed to assist 100 students who were sitting at home for three years, who couldn’t graduate, get their certificates and apply for jobs because they owed the institution.”
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