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It was a power gathering as the Businesswomen’s Association of SA (Bwasa) hosted its annual Businesswoman of the Year Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre in Joburg on Friday night.
There was also plenty of glitz and glamour as strong, innovative women were celebrated for being exceptional entrepreneurs despite the challenges they face in the largely patriarchal world of business.
Shades of purple, Bwasa’s signature colour, filled the room and set the tone for an informative event. Guests were treated to a gala dinner while the winners received their awards.
There were five categories: corporate, government, social entrepreneur, education and science, as well as technology.
Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng of the University of Cape Town won the education category for her invaluable contribution to the sector. She told the audience that it was important to dream, but “you have to get up and work hard for what you want, because no one is going to give it to you”.
Special guests at the event included Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Judge Navi Pillay and humanitarian Graça Machel, who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her championing of women’s and children’s rights.
“I am receiving this award on behalf of them. It is their award as much as it is mine,” she told the audience.
Pillay had some insightful information to impart about her history in the legal profession and her arduous work as a lawyer during apartheid.
“Back then, there were no equality laws, so everything I owned or bought was in my husband’s name. Women weren’t allowed to own property or other assets,” she said.
She lauded the businesswomen in attendance for the unwavering role they played in both the economic and social growth of the country.
The popular Soweto Opera Quadro put on an incredible performance in providing a series of musical interludes, serenading the guests to ululations and screams
of praise.
The fun-filled and inspiring event is sure to encourage other women to make their mark in business
