Capable female leaders are gradually emerging in previously male dominated sectors in Nelson Mandela Bay, reaffirming the powerful strides women have made over the decades in reengineering South Africa’s economic landscape.
As the country commemorates National Women’s Day today (09 August 2024), these advancements highlight the significant progress women have achieved and continue to drive to transcend gender inequalities that have long held them back in taking up spaces in key leadership roles.
On August 9, 1956, more than 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, protesting against the extension of Pass Laws to women. This act of defiance not only highlighted the oppressive apartheid regime but also set in motion a broader movement for gender equality and women's rights.
Every year, South Africa celebrates National Women’s Day to honour those brave women and reflect on the progress made in gender equality. This month long observance also allows the nation to evaluate the ongoing efforts to transform society through addressing and dismantling systemic issues such as gender oppression, patriarchy, sexism and structural inequalities. It also aims to create an environment where women can fully control their lives and destinies socially, politically and economically.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating 30 years of democracy Towards Women’s Development,” is particularly significant as it underscores the critical role that democracy has played in advancing women’s rights and development.
“Over the past three decades, women have increasingly taken on leadership roles in various sectors, including politics, business and civil society, contributing to reshaping the economic and social landscape of the country,” says Denise van Huyssteen, chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
She adds that the theme also serves as a call to action to continue the work of transforming unequal power relations between men and women. Despite the progress, challenges such as gender-based violence, economic inequality and limited access to education and healthcare for women persist.
“As such, the activities throughout August provide an opportunity for South Africa to recommit to addressing these issues and to celebrate the resilience, strength, and achievements of women who have played a crucial role in the nation’s development,” says Van Huyssteen.
With Nelson Mandela Bay being a major hub for the manufacturing and automotive sectors, some of the city’s anchor businesses have made significant strides in appointing fit-for-purpose female leaders in their management teams.
For instance, Volkswagen Group Africa is led by Martina Biene, the first female to occupy the Managing Director and Chairperson roles in the local company’s history. She has been at the helm since 2022 and has 20 years of experience in the VW Group, having worked in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and South Africa.
Another formidable force in the manufacturing space is Nomfundo Faltein, the Managing Director of Orion Engineered Carbons, a global specialty chemicals company that manufactures carbon black – a solid form of carbon produced as powder or pellets which serves as an essential material in everyday products. Faltein has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, having worked in all disciplines of Quality Management in manufacturing environments. She joined Orion Engineered Carbons in 2017 as Quality Manager and in 2022, was promoted to her current leadership role.
Borbet SA, one of the world's leading manufacturers of light alloy wheels, appointed Nontlanga Mokoena as Deputy Managing Director in 2021, making her the first African female to sit on the company’s Board of Directors. She joined the company in 2012 as an Assistant Quality Manager and in 2014, was appointed to Quality Manager.
Lisa McDermott, the General Manager at AXALTA PLASCON, is a Chartered Accountant who has occupied key leadership roles in various businesses within manufacturing. She has a robust skill set that includes finance, executive management, team management, mergers and acquisitions, business strategy, and more.
Leading chicken manufacturing company Sovereign’s human resources division is managed by Thuto Maepa, the company’s Group Executive. She has been with Sovereign since 2011 and previously held senior roles in several companies, including Standard Bank.
Another female who occupies a senior leadership position is Pravika Chetty, who was appointed in the position of Finance Director at Lumotech in 2023, a large automotive components manufacturer. An experienced Chartered Accountant, she is the first female director to be appointed at Lumotech and has been with the company since 2019 and has previously held senior roles in other companies, including KPMG.
As a catalyst for economic development in the Metro, the Chamber operates the Entrepreneurship Desk, which currently has 292 businesses registered with it, of which 54% are female-owned and almost 70% are black owned.
Sponsored by Borbet SA and Standard Bank, the Desk acts as a single platform where business support, growth and sustainability initiatives are housed. These are achieved through four pillars namely access to funding and professional banking advice, access to entrepreneurial and business skills development, access to one-on-one advisory support, and market access opportunities.
Van Huyssteen concludes: “As South Africa marks this significant occasion, it is essential to recognise and support the ongoing efforts towards achieving true gender equality. This involves not only celebrating the milestones but also addressing the remaining challenges to ensure that all women have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the country's growth and prosperity.”
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