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BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Women entrepreneurs across South Africa have reason to celebrate as the Top 10 finalists have been officially announced for the highly anticipated Womenpreneur Her Perfect Pitch Competition.

This exciting initiative, sponsored by Jacaranda FM and Access Bank South Africa, has garnered record breaking entries and support for its mission to empower and uplift women in the world of entrepreneurship.

After a rigorous selection process that involved evaluating numerous innovative business ideas and pitches from talented women who own their businesses, the Womenpreneur Her Perfect Pitch Competition’s expert judging panel has now unveiled the impressive Top 10 finalists who have made it to the next round.

These finalists represent a diverse range of industries and bring forth creative solutions that have the potential to make a significant impact in the business world.

The Top 10 finalists for the Womenpreneur Her Perfect Pitch Competition are:

Cleopatra Van Ster- Sha’pleft Health Care Services
Mahlatse Mamaila – INO Biodiesel
Morongwe Mokone – Mo’s Crib
Candy Androuakos – Leafline
Faith Mokgalaka – Puno
Jabulile Morobi – Lesedi Scientific Services
Heidi Patmore – Manjaro Marketing
Kimlynn Temple – Tipped
Hlobisile Bathabile Yende – The Yende & Partners
Malesele Rachel Tema – Plus Fab

Each of these remarkable womenpreneurs has demonstrated not only their passion but also their ability to innovate and drive positive change in their respective fields. Their ideas have the potential to reshape industries, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth.

The Womenpreneur Her Perfect Pitch Competition is a testament to the commitment of Jacaranda FM and Access Bank South Africa to support women entrepreneurs and promote gender diversity in the business world.

It serves as a platform for women to showcase their entrepreneurial prowess and make their mark on the entrepreneurial landscape.

Image: Supplied

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

FirstRand has promoted COO Mary Vilakazi to the position of CEO, making her the first woman to head the financial services group in its 185-year history.

Vilakazi will replace Alan Pullinger, who will step down from the role in April next year. Vilakazi joined the JSE-listed financial services group, which is valued at about R356bn, in 2018. Before that she held several roles at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings including CFO and deputy CEO.

The last woman to head a major bank in SA was Maria Ramos, who led Absa for a decade. Momentum Metropolitan appointed Jeanette Marais as its first woman CEO in May.

Vilakazi said she was up to the task. “I am delighted to be entrusted to lead one of the largest and most profitable financial institutions in Africa,” she said in a statement.

“During his tenure, Alan has demonstrated inspirational leadership and I have been privileged to work in partnership with him and the broader team. I take over at a time when the portfolio is in good shape in all of its jurisdictions.

“The things that set FirstRand apart from its peers and enable it to outperform remain firmly in place. Our portfolio of leading brands, our top-quality talent, our unique and long-standing culture of empowerment and accountability, and our relentless focus on shareholder value creation will continue to underpin the group’s success on my watch.”

Pullinger backed the group’s new leadership. “FirstRand’s business philosophy means that we behave and think like owners and the entire leadership is collectively and individually invested to deliver on the group’s commitments to its shareholders, customers, and employees,” he said.

“It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to be a part of, and to lead, FirstRand and I have full confidence in handing over the baton to Mary and her new leadership team.”

FirstRand’s portfolio of businesses comprise RMB, FNB, WesBank, Aldermore Bank, and Ashburton Investments.

Image: LinkedIn

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

 UP Law Student Dimakatso Lekola receives the Sunrise Excellence Award for Community Builder of the Year 2023 in Mbombela!

Dimakatso’s commitment to community building and his remarkable achievements are truly inspiring. Lekola says this award has strengthened his belief in the power of group effort and the significance of community building.

“Receiving this award has been a humbling experience for me, especially given that I was the youngest nominee in this category in South Africa,” he said.

This award honours individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities. It is given in a variety of categories to people who have shown exceptional dedication, leadership, and impact in their respective fields.

This award is a testament to his dedication and leadership.

Image: LinkedIn

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Maxed Elite Running Club team manager, Martin Ngwenya is over the moon after he was selected to manage Team South Africa at the World 50 kilometre Road Running Championships, demonstrating his expertise and dedication in club management.

The Running Championships will take place in India, Hyderabad on 05 November 2023.

This prestigious appointment not only recognizes Ngwenya’s exceptional skills but also reflects positively on the Maxed Elite Running Club as a whole. The Durban resident’s extensive experience as the manager of the Maxed Elite Running Club since 2017 undoubtedly played a significant role in his selection for this esteemed position.

His selection is a testament to his proven track record in effectively managing and supporting athletes, as well as his ability to nurture talent within the club. Furthermore, Ngwenya’s enthusiasm and pride for his athletes is evident as he expresses his optimism for Team South Africa’s success at the championships.

“I am looking forward to going to India with Team SA and I am positive that we will come back home with medals. I am also proud of one of our Maxed Elite Running Club athletes, Pule Sibeko who has been selected to be part of Team SA at the championships,” said Ngwenya.

Thabang Maleka of Athletics South Africa said, “On behalf of Athletics South Africa, we would like to congratulate Ngwenya for being appointed as the Team Manager for the ASA Team.”

Image: Supplied

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Lisa Nqala comes from a disadvantage background full of poverty and limited resources, but through determination, perseverance and work hard, today she is a trailblazing Accounting Academic.

Lisa lost her mother when she only seven years old in 1997, and she lost her grandmother who was her guardian a year later.

In 2008, she went through the trauma again when her father got sick and passed away, at the time she had just completed her matric and was looking for a university to study further.

“After Matric, I worked at the laundry as a laundry assistant and as a domestic worker for the laundry owners in Margate, KwaZulu-Natal. It was hard and I felt hopeless, watching my peers going to varsity. I used the money that I got from my job to phone the universities and request application forms and send them back to the universities.”

“I got accepted by three institutions, two for education and one for accounting so I decided to go with CPUT because I love accounting and auditing, I have always wanted to be an Auditor,” said Lisa.

Against all odds, Lisa obtained a Master of Internal Auditing, a Bachelor of Technology in Internal Auditing, a National Diploma in Internal Auditing and a Certificate in Accountacy all from Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Lisa Nqala is a member of Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa (IIASA). She is currently a Lecturer at Boston City Campus and Business College, she is also a researcher and also work as an independent academic program reviewer for accounting and auditing-related qualifications.

“Growing up in disadvantaged rural areas made it difficult for me to adjust to university and a big city.”

“When I came to varsity, I did not even know how to use a computer. I struggled to communicate in English. I struggled with low self-esteem. Through all these things, I carried so much pain for so many years from my childhood trauma.”

“It took me time to finally open up about them. The other challenge I face is that it takes so much time for my skills and knowledge to be recognised. I often have to work harder than anyone else to prove that I am capable.”

“My wish is to study further to obtain a doctoral qualification and eventually become a rated professor in accounting.”

“I would also love to have a mentoring program that would cater to disadvantaged children’s needs,” concluded Lisa.

Image: LinkedIn

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

On Thursday 5 October, Isitha, The Enemy hit its all-time high with more than 3 million viewers (7.9ARs) – a monumental milestone!

Isitha, The Enemy is a show that continues to exceed expectations, just a little while ago the show was being celebrated as the fastest-growing show on the channel.

“We are immensely proud of Isitha’s upward progress and the authentic stories that clearly resonate with our audiences. And, we are proud to share that the show has achieved a total of just over 3 million viewers in a night. This is a goal we have been working towards since the show’s launch on 22 May this year,” eMedia’s advertising specialist, Nokuthula Mkhaliphi said.

Isitha promises to deliver more sizzling stories and here is a glimpse of what audiences can expect: Pheko will find a video that could potentially destroy the Sokhulu family. A war is brewing in eSwatini over the life of baby Ifalethu, and a sinister alliance is struck between Rebecca and Nolitha. And this is only for starters…

“We believe the power of teamwork and collaboration is the reason why the show is in this position today. We would like to thank our dynamic local programming team, vigorous marketing team and Black Brain Pictures for the conceptualisation and excellent production of Isitha,” Mkhaliphi concluded.

Image: Supplied

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

eNCA, (DStv Ch. 403) has joined forces with a local drama production and created a show where viewers get to witness their favourite e.tv actors unpack socially relevant drama stories.

This Sunday, eNCA anchor Dan Moyane presents “Absent Fathers”, exploring storylines from the popular e.tv drama ISITHA – The Enemy. A lot of South African children grow up without their biological fathers and over 60% of children don’t live with their fathers.

The Human Sciences Research Council has also found that only 20% of children have contact with their biological fathers twice a week. Many men who are absent fathers, had absent fathers themselves.

Make sure to tune in this coming Sunday, 15 October 2PM on eNCA, where Dan Moyane will be joined by ISITHA – The Enemy cast members: Sipho Ndlovu who plays Bandze, Mzikayise Mzi Makroti (Nka) & Khanyisani Kheswa (Mbuso).

Image: Supplied

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Two students from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have emerged as the champions in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment Challenge. Sebolaishi Manamela and Madoda Hlatshwayo, both first-year Accounting Science students at UJ, formed the winning team known as VK 29 MMS. Their victory came as a result of their impressive growth in their investment portfolio.

The JSE Investment Challenge, a monthly virtual trading financial literacy competition organized by the JSE, utilises gamification to enhance the financial knowledge and investment fundamentals of young individuals. VK 29 MMS secured the top position in the university category with an impressive growth rate of 7.67%, showcasing their ability to navigate the complexities of the stock market and seize investment opportunities.

Reflecting on her motivation to participate in the challenge, Manamela expressed her desire to learn something new. She initially held the misconception that the top 40 companies listed on the JSE consistently increased in value, which the challenge dispelled.

She shared her newfound knowledge, saying, “I learned how to trade and be mindful when trading, which adds an extra skill to my skills, and I now know I have the capability to use trading as a source of extra income for myself.”

The Commerce 100 course, a requirement for first-year students at UJ, includes participation in the JSE Challenge. According to their lecturer, Suzaan Hughes, this exposure provides students with valuable skills. Hughes emphasised the significance of financial literacy and the insights gained from trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, which fosters a unique understanding of the business world.

Hlatshwayo noted one of his major takeaways from the experience was that failure is not the end but rather a stepping stone to success. He also learned essential financial management skills, including generating high income with minimal spending.

Manamela emphasised how participating in the challenge enhanced her understanding of her coursework. She found that trading helped her identify asset values, calculate profitability, and analyse a company’s financial sources, aligning with her studies as an accountant.

The JSE Investment Challenge, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, attracted 24,000 participants last year.

Image and source: UJ

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

The University of Fort Hare makes up almost half of the Eastern Cape team competing at the national dancesport championships in Mahikeng this weekend.

Even greater testament to the university’s depth is that several UFH dancers initially missing out on selection have received late call-ups for the competition hosted by North-West University.

The team, which includes five couples from the tertiary institution in Alice, is managed by Fort Hare coach Thandisizwe Matyumza. Also included are dancers from Walter Sisulu University and clubs in Mthatha and East London.

The UFH members are Tumeka Madikane and Luphumlo Sifumba, Wanzi Maxhobi and Lorenzo Swartbooi, Lubabalo Xabanisa and Nontando Tsheleza, Inga Mtana and Axola Ximbi and Olwetho Mfo and Siyampumelelo Masangane.

While some have experience of the South African champs, it will be a first for the likes of Fort Hare’s Ximbi, who was recently called in as a replacement. The dancers competed in the Rising Stars category, where 30 couples initially took to the floor simultaneously.

Placing on the podium automatically qualifies them for next year’s elite championships, where national colours will be awarded. Therefore, said Matyumza, the weekend would be “massive” for anyone with ambitions of representing their country.

With the revised team now containing a mix of youth and experience, the manager feels it is an excellent opportunity for the newcomers to watch and learn.

The team’s preparation included analysing video footage of dancesport tournaments in other provinces as well as studying clips of their own performances at the recent interprovincials where they won bronze.

“The videos allow us to see where we’re lacking and whether we need to try something different,” explained Matyumza, who had also brought in a champion dancer from Durban to workshop with his charges.

Image and source: UFH

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

When we say “Tshiki Tshiki Tsaa” what comes to mind?

Yep, Durban’s finest, the one and only DJ Tira will be landing on our TV screens! The legendary Afrotainment boss will make a cameo appearance as himself, on the show from the 10th of October at 9P.

The story written around him involves Dudu’s shenanigans with Magolide. After stealing Mamiki’s boyfriend, she has now also taken her business idea. And to rub salt into her wound, she decides to host a launch party for her production – with the DJ hired on the ones and twos being the one and only DJ Tira.

Watch DJ Tira as he dabbles in acting from the 10th of October at 9PM on Smoke & Mirrors.

Image: Supplied