The International Women's Forum South Africa (IWFSA) recently hosted its annual event, a powerful gathering of leaders from business, government, and civil society. The event, founded by Zanele Mbeki, aims to honor women who have made an extraordinary contribution to the nation. This year's event was attended by prominent women, including two university chancellors, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe and Naledi Pandor, former chair of the AU commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, billionaire businesswoman Irene Charnley, and erstwhile CEO of the National Empowerment Fund Philisiwe Buthelezi Mthethwa.
The event's highlight was the emotional speech by Mpho Letlape, whose daughter, Thembekile Letlape, a well-known pastry chef, was murdered in May 2024 by her partner, Sibusiso Zitha. Despite Zitha's guilty plea, he was sentenced to just 15 years in prison, sparking outrage among many. Letlape's heartfelt account of her experience and pain shed light on the ongoing issue of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
President of South Africa has recently addressed the nation with a new plan to tackle gender-based violence and femicide. The plan, which has been met with skepticism by some, aims to provide support to victims and bring perpetrators to justice. However, as Letlape's story illustrates, much work remains to be done to address this deeply ingrained societal issue.
The IWFSA event also celebrated the achievements of several women who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Sibongile Mkhabela, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, was honored for her instrumental role in building a state-of-the-art pediatric facility bearing the former president's name. Dr. Anna Mokgokong, whose business empire spans healthcare, mining, and energy, was also recognized for her outstanding achievements.
The event featured several speeches, including one by advocate and current IWFSA president Thandi Orleyn, who delivered a powerful message about passing the baton to the next generation. Margaret Nienaber, COO of Standard Bank, also spoke, highlighting the importance of human connection in a world increasingly driven by technology.
On a separate note, the Designer of the Year Awards were recently held at Steyn City's clubhouse, celebrating outstanding achievements in interior design and architecture. The awards, run by House & Garden, recognized several talented designers, including Michael Harrison and Abilene Brodie of Head Interiors, who won in the Home of the Year category.
Another notable event was the book launch of Joani Jacobs' Crowned in Confidence, which offers words of wisdom from the entrepreneur who started modeling academy Ace Models at the age of 24 with a R10,000 loan from her dad. The business has grown to boast more than 40 franchises across the continent and has its eyes firmly set on international expansion.
Key points
- The International Women's Forum South Africa aims to honor women who have made an extraordinary contribution to the nation.
- Gender-based violence and femicide remain significant challenges in South Africa.
- Several women were recognized for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields at the IWFSA event.
