Challenges facing woman in business in South Africa
Thoko Mokgosi Mwamthembe
Thoko-Mokgosi-Mwamthembe
Thoko Mokgosi-Mwantembe, CEO of Hewlet Packard (SA), was a popular and inspiring speaker at a Rhodes Investec Business School (RIBS) Business Forum presentation in Grahamstown at the beginning of the year. She addressed the topic “Challenges facing women in business in South Africa”.
In the process, she identified six “battles” which have to be fought and won. “The first of these is the battle for education”, she advised her audience. “This especially applies to mathematics”, she stressed. “It is fundamental, and women at and beyond school-going age need to exploit every opportunity to become proficient in this field. Don’t ever stop learning”, she advised.
“Secondly, the battle for finance must be addressed. While it is sometimes difficult for new companies to attract financial support, what women have in their favour is that they tend to default less frequently than men. Women should familiarise themselves with the current and extensive resources and opportunities available to female entrepreneurs such as the IDC, DTI and Business Partners”.
The third battle is to find and establish a work-life balance. “You need to plan”, she said. “Choose your company well; it must support women and be flexible.”
The fourth battle which she identified is that against fear. Business women often suffer from the fear that they might not meet expectations – especially that of their male colleagues. Do not shy away from seeking help. The way to overcome fear is to get down and do something about it.”
Audience
Her fifth battle is best overcome by understanding and applying networking skills, she told her largely female audience. “Networking is more important than marketing”, she has proved in her own career. “It is often at social events that the best deals are made.”
“The sixth battle is the one for identity”, she relates. “You have to be professional without changing who you are – it is far too much hard work trying to be someone you are not, so don’t”, she insists, “and be sure to reciprocate support.”
Mokgosi notes with regret that, legislation notwithstanding, several barriers to entry into business by women remain in place. “The corporate world has its own rules and behaviour”, she notes, “and old habits die hard.” The number of women in top executive positions in South Africa has changed favourably in recent years but “we are not yet where we should be. Gender discrimination remains and the glass ceiling is still intact.”
Mokgosi’s final tip to leaders is “focus on winning the war, but understand that you lose some battles in the process. But, ensure that those battles you lose are not the strategic ones. It is okay to allow yourself to lose here and there. Don’t get hung up on winning everything. Whatever your objective is, stay focused on ensuring that you win that war.”
According to Mokgosi, “I would like to think that it is important for everybody to remember who you are, not even considering the gender issue for the moment. If you try to be someone else it is not sustainable. Know what it is you are good at”, she continues; “and do it better than anyone else. And remember always that education is the key. Education absorbed can never be taken away from you, no matter what may happen to your company or your home.”
