WOA_Final

Celebrating South Africa’s Champions of the Continent

WOMAN OF AFRICA 

Contents 

6 Artist Bio 

7 Publishers Foreword 

10 African women battle for equality 

22 Liziwe Ntshengulana 

Life Coach and Mentor 

32 Francis Slabber 

Francis Slabber & Associates 

16 Challenges facing women 

26 Oliver Tambo - A Champion of Women’s Emancipation 

20 Luyanda Ngwenya 

Founder and CEO - ICU Eyewear 

28 Thokozile Mangwiro 

CEO - Nyla Naturals 

34 The Role of Women in the 

Struggle for Freedom 

4

WOMAN OF AFRICA 

38 Dr Loyiso Mpuntsha 

Former CEO - SANBS 

52 Universal Education is crucial 

to the emancipation of Africa 

62 DR Jennifer Rivia 

Kenya Women Holding 

44 The Womens Charter of South Africa 

64 Anne Nduati - NAK 

46 Xoliswa Njokweni-Mlotywa 

Managing Director - Thermitrex 

54 Beverly Farmer 

CEO - Women in Wine 

70 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf 

President of Liberia 

54 Women in Wine 

5

WOMEN OF AFRICA / COVER ARTIST 

Isaac Opoku Badu 

Busy Woman 

We proudly 

showcase Isaac 

Opoku Badu’s 

“Busy Woman” as our cover 

artist for Women of Africa. 

The colours and 

textures used by the artist 

are resplendent of the 

canvas of Africa and her 

courageous women. 

Isaac was born on 29th 

October, 1980 in Kumasi, 

Ghana and started drawing 

and painting at a very 

tender age, encouraged by 

his parents – who regarded 

art very highly. He was 

educated at A.M.E. Zion 

Primary and Junior High 

School, Kumasi in Ghana 

and then went on to study at 

the College of Art and 

Industry, where he acquired 

an in-depth knowledge of 

artistic designs that aided 

him to realise his dreams of 

being a prominent and prolific 

painter. 

His family has always 

been the center of his life. 

Being the youngest of ten 

children, his parents were 

very encouraging and 

providing him with all the 

materials he needed. He 

enjoys the closeness of his 

family immensely as they are 

his inspiration. He affirms 

that God, through his mercy, 

is always pivotal for him in 

archiving his goal as an 

artist. 

Painting has been with 

him from infancy. When he 

was a child, he created 

images through his own 

imagination. 

He translates illusion into 

reality in the form of 

painting and uses canvas, oil 

and acrylic paints in all the 

work that he does. He tries to 

portray what is in him and 

being him is what he creates. 

His styles create certain 

impressions in the mind of 

the observer. The themes 

of Isaac’s works are often to 

do with people and places, 

such as interaction between 

people in a group, market 

scenes, landscapes and 

dwelling. However, his main 

interest is in people, 

specially female figures. 

His works are treasured 

by many and he has sold 

many paintings privately and 

at exhibitions, both within and 

outside Ghana. 

To view additional works by 

this exceptional artist visit 

www.artmajeur.com/en/artist/ 

isaacartgallery 

6

Publishers’ 

Foreword 

PUBLISHER 

Clinton H. Vurden | Publisher 

clintonv@abig.co 

MANAGEMENT 

Graham Cooper | Editor 

grahamc@abig.co 

Gabriël Engelbrecht | Chief Marketing Officer 

gabriel@abig.co 

Neil Hodgers | Chief Operating Officer 

neilh@abig.co 

Richard Alexander | Director; ABIG Legal 

legal@abig.co 

Abdula Moosa | Chief Financial Officer 

accounts2@abig.co 

Jonathan Cross | Administrator 

admin@abig.co 

Maria Zuma | PA to the Chief Executive Officer 

pa@abig.co 

Placid Kalonji | Designer 

art@abig.co 

Poleng Mosimeng | Distribution Manager 

Women of Africa is published by 

Africa Business Investment Group 

General Enquiries: +27 (0)10 5977 801 / +27 (0)21 200 1327 

Advertising Enquiries: +27 (0)83 369 0726 

Fax: +27 (0)86 714 5301 

Africa: PostNet Suite 1703, P/Bag X153, Bryanston 2021, SA 

Europe: 56 St. Johns Park, Waterford, Republic of Ireland, UK 

www.abig.co 

Company Reg: 2015/343633/07 

IBN 2413-2896 

Copyright 

All material is strictly copyright and all rights are expressly 

reserved by the publisher. Reproduction without permission is 

forbidden. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the 

magazine but the publisher assumes no responsibility in the 

effect arising thereon. The views expressed in our publications 

are not 

necessarily those of the publisher. 

We live in truly interesting 

times, on a continent 

with even more 

interesting people, a continent 

where folk are rising above the 

norm, pushing the envelope in 

all sectors of life, commerce and 

professions. 

We Africans as a people, are 

proving to be ever more 

inventive, creative and truly 

challenging norms as we know 

them. Between the covers of 

Women of Africa we aim to 

celebrate these trail blazing 

individuals focusing on their trials 

and tribulations, but ultimately 

celebrating their triumphs. 

We walk through the pages of 

history and honor those women 

who stood their grounds, who 

took to task governments, fought 

for their rights to vote, bent the 

bows of society to forge ahead in 

business and pressed their way 

into universities to become 

leaders and role models. 

Women of Africa lends itself 

to encourage the fairer sex not 

only on the continent of Africa but 

around the world, to walk tall in 

the knowledge that anyone can 

achieve despite their 

background, in spite of their 

socio-economic status, race, 

colour or sex – they too can get 

there and beyond! 

We look into the lives of these 

unsung heroines, living 

examples of women who daily 

face personal and professional 

challenges these are the women 

we call ‘Champions of Africa’. 

This particular edition focuses 

largely on the Champions of 

South Africa and our next edition 

has already incited a tidal wave 

of successes from various parts 

of the continent. 

As a business, we are 

both humbled and extremely 

proud to be associated 

with this project, we look 

forward to receiving 

comments both positive and 

negative as we aim to leave a 

legacy for generations to come. 

Humbly at your service 

Clinton 

7

9

10

WOMEN OF AFRICA 

African women battle for equality 

10


Women are taking stock of 

progress and asking to what 

extent promised reforms have 

been implemented. They are also 

examining why progress has been 

limited in many countries and are 

seeking ways to overcome the 

obstacles. 

African women continue to face 

not only widespread poverty, but also 

heavy labour burdens. However, over 

the 30 years since the first World 

Conference on Women in Mexico City, 

men have gone to the moon and back, 

yet women are still at the same place 

they were — that is, trying to sensitize 

the world to the unwarranted and 

unacceptable marginalization of 

women, which deprives them of their 

human rights. 

In Africa specifically, women have 

made significant strides in the political 

arena over the past few years. The 

continental political body, the African 

Union (AU), took a major step by 

promoting gender parity in its top 

decision-making positions. 

In 2003 five women and five men 

were elected as AU 

commissioners. 

The following year, Ms. Gertrude 

Mongella was chosen to head the AU’s 

Pan-African Parliament, where women 

make up 25 per cent of members. 

Another AU body, the African Peer 

Review Mechanism, which 

oversees standards for good 

governance, is led by Ms. 

Marie-Angélique Savané. 

African women have also 

successfully promoted agreements 

that advance their rights. By the 

end of last year, 51 of the 53 AU 

member countries had ratified 

CEDAW, adopted in 1979 by the 

UN General Assembly and often 

described as the international bill of 

rights for women. 

Activists have since succeeded in 

persuading their heads of state to 

adopt a protocol on the rights of 

women. They are now lobbying states 

to take the final step and ratify the 

protocol to make it enforceable. 

“We are all aware that despite 

achievements and progress made, 

African women face major challenges 

and obstacles,” said Dr. Farkhonda 

Hassan, chair of the UN Economic 

Commission for Africa’s Committee on 

Women and Development. 

For example, the primary 

development policies in many 

countries, known as poverty reduction 

strategies, still do not take into 

account differences in income and 

power between men and women, 

hampering efforts to finance 

programmes that reduce inequality. 

In addition, she says, the majority of 

African women are still denied 

education and employment, and have 

limited opportunities in trade, industry 

and government. 

Many African women remain at the 

bottom of the social hierarchy with 

poor access to land, credit, health and 

education. While some of the 

agreements that African governments 

have ratified enshrine property and 

inheritance rights, in most countries 

11

women are denied those very rights. 

Compounding the situation are 

setbacks such as the HIV/AIDS 

pandemic that is destroying the 

health of more women than men in 

Africa, eroding some of the 

development gains women had 

attained. As a result, poverty in Africa 

continues to wear a woman’s face. 

But perhaps the most inhibiting 

factor is that women in Africa 

continue to be denied an education, 

often the only ticket out of poverty. 

Disparities between girls and boys 

start in primary school and the 

differences widen up through the 

entire educational system. In total 

enrolment in primary education, Africa 

registered the highest relative 

increase among regions during 

the last decade. But given the low 

proportion of girls being enrolled, the 

continent is still far from the goal of 

attaining intake parity by the end of 

this year. 

Sub-Saharan Africa is the region 

with the most girls out of school, 23 

million, up from 20 million a decade 

earlier. 

As with a range of other 

historically male-dominated subjects, 

an International Labour Organization 

(ILO) survey shows that women are 

starkly underrepresented in technical 

programmes in African colleges. 

The share of women enrolled in 

polytechnic courses ranges from 40 

per cent in the Gambia to just two per 

cent in Zambia, the ILO reports. 

In Ghana, even though 30 per cent 

of all those attending polytechnics 

are women, only one per cent of the 

total taking technical courses are 

women. 

Africa, however, has registered 

improvements in adult literacy rates, 

which rose 20 per cent between 2005 

and 2015. 

The goal is to raise adult literacy 

rates by 50 per cent by 2020. 

About half of sub-Saharan African 

countries have registered moderate 

increases towards gender parity in 

this area, UNESCO reports. 

However, in some countries the 

female illiteracy rates are much 

higher than the regional average of 

12


about 50 per cent. In Burkina Faso it 

is 82 per cent, in Sierra Leone 79 per 

cent and in Benin and Ethiopia 77 per 

cent. Many now acknowledge that to 

enable women to escape poverty, 

development policies should place 

more emphasis on their contributions 

to the economy. 

Even though women make up a 

significant proportion of the 

economically active population, their 

contribution is not fully recorded 

because they are mainly engaged in 

family farming or in the informal 

sector. In other cases, what they do, 

such as household work, is not 

considered an economic activity. 

In agriculture, sub-Saharan Africa’s 

most vital economic sector, women 

contribute 60–80 per cent of labour in 

food production, both for 

household consumption and for sale. 

But while they do most of the work, 

they lack access to markets and 

credit. In Uganda, women make up 53 

per cent of the labour force, but only 

sell 11 per cent of the cash crops. 

Almost all SADC countries have a 

national government body that deals 

with gender issues. However some of 

these units, departments or 

ministries have become weak and 

unable to be responsive to the 

challenges presented by the 

struggle for gender justice. 

Poor resource bases, few staff and 

no power or authority within 

governments to advance equality and 

justice for women are just a few of the 

constraints. However, women in some 

countries in Southern Africa have 

moved into positions of political 

influence. In South Africa and 

Mozambique, for example, women 

hold 30 per cent of the seats in 

parliament. Mozambique became the 

first country in the region to appoint a 

woman as Prime Minister, Ms. Luisa 

Diogo. In Rwanda, women lead the 

world in representation in national 

parliaments. There, 49 per cent of 

parliamentarians are female. 

The world average is just 15 per cent. 

13


Challenges facing women 

Economic exclusion; 

financial systems that 

perpetuate their 

discrimination; limited participation in 

political and public life; lack of access 

to education and poor retention of girls 

in schools; gender-based violence; 

harmful cultural practices, and 

exclusion of women from peace tables, 

are the major standing barriers to 

achieving gender equality in Africa. 

These challenges were on the agenda 

of the “Eighth African Union Gender 

Pre-Summit on African Year of Human 

Rights, with Particular Focus on 

the Rights of Women” in Addis Ababa 

recently.Women represent more than 

half of the 1,2 billion African population 

living on a total of 30,2 million km² and 

speaking up to 2,000 different native 

languages. 

Due to the numerous armed 

conflicts in the continent-which is home 

to nearly half of the 42 ongoing 

conflicts – African women are in charge 

of the majority of households and are 

key food producers, and they 

represent more than 43 percent of the 

agricultural labour force, in addition to 

playing a major role in managing 

poultry, dairy animals, fisheries, 

aquaculture, and the 

marketing of handcrafts and food 

products. 

According to the African 

Union Commission (AUC), the 

continent continues to face enormous 

challenges with regards to the respect, 

promotion, protection and fulfillment of 

human rights, which if not urgently and 

adequately addressed, may erase the 

human rights gains recorded over the 

preceding decades. 

These challenges include, but are 

not limited to: inadequate allocation of 

resources to human rights institutions, 

lack of capacity, insufficient political 

will, unwillingness by States to 

surrender sovereignty to supranational 

monitoring bodies, unwillingness by 

some States to domesticate 

international human rights treaties. 

These challenges also include 

persistent violence across the continent 

whichresult in destruction of life, 

property and reverse human rights 

gains, widespread poverty, 

ignorance and lack of awareness, the 

effects of colonialism characterized 

by human rights unfriendly laws, bad 

governance, 

corruption and disregard for the rule of 

law. 

16


Globally, 2017 commemorates 37 

years since the adoption of The 

Convention on the Elimination of all 

Forms of Discrimination Against 

Women (CEDAW), an 

international treaty adopted in 1979 by 

the UN General Assembly, which is 

described as the international bill of 

rights for women, and the 21st 

anniversary of the 1995 Beijing 

Declaration and Platform for Action, 

which is the key global policy on 

gender equality. 

Though the workforce and 

perceptions have changed dramatically 

over the years and many employers 

preferring female superiors, there are 

still a few disparities that remain 

between the sexes. 

Certain corporate cultures and 

structures pose barriers to the 

advancement of women in the form of 

out-dated policies regarding part time 

work, flexi-work and job sharing. 

The idea is still common that a 

woman’s personal life and family in 

terms of having children will affect her 

work performance. 

The reverse is also true where it is 

perceived that the demands of work 

will affect a woman’s family life. 

Another common 

perception in the workplace is the 

assumption that women are not able to 

handle stress as well as their male 

counterparts or that women are not 

educated enough in order to climb the 

corporate ladder and that the 

boardroom is a man’s domain with no 

place for woman. 

Furthermore, when women 

temporarily leave the workforce to have 

children they are often not provided 

with the same opportunity when they 

return, as it is now assumed that their 

family will take top priority. 

However, the positive side is that in 

terms of any prejudice based on race 

and culture, etc. these have changed 

as a result of legislation and particularly 

when it comes to the earning of points 

on the BEE scorecard. 

Today a lot more woman reach top 

leadership positions. 

17

Cookie Naidoo 

Championing the cause of women in the workplace 

WOMEN OF AFRICA / SOUTH AFRICA 

Growing up with the little 

opportunities available during 

apartheid created a stronger 

mindset which fortified Cookie against 

the toughest and most demanding 

situations on her life path. 

Starting her career in the clothing 

and textiles industry in a menial 

position, with basic education she had 

to diligently apply herself to create 

a foundation and make a success 

eventually working for a leading retail 

chain for more than 20 years before 

venturing into recruitment and staffing. 

“This was a natural fit for me as I 

understood the requirements for highly 

quality staffing. The journey within 

recruitment and staffing posed many 

challenges and hurdles – but I had to 

persevere to make this a success,” 

shared Cookie. 

On her road to success, Cookie 

has been inspired by a broad collection 

of women before her. Prominent in 

this bouquet of talent and wisdom 

is her mother, who given the tough 

circumstances of her upbringing, 

developed her into a strong and 

dedicated individual and Cookie will 

forever be grateful for this as the most 

important part of her life. 

She shared that other positive role 

models have been Rosa Parks – 

a prominent civil rights activist, Serena 

and Venus Williams – one of the 

greatest, inspiring, and iconic sporting 

legends, Malala Yousafzai – the young 

Pakistani girl who stood up against the 

Taliban prohibiting education of young 

girls and women, Indra Nooyi – 

CEO of PepsiCo and Ursula Burns; 

first African American to become CEO 

of a Fortune 500 company. 

Cookie went on to say that 

women are the future of not just SA 

but the global economy. She strongly 

believes in young girls being groomed 

along entrepreneurial lines from their 

formative school days. This will also 

allow them to follow career paths and 

choices which will eventually empower 

them to take on greater responsibilities 

and duties with ease. 

“It makes me proud to also see 

young black women from previously 

disadvantaged backgrounds as well 

as from tough financial backgrounds 

occupying leadership roles in 

corporate companies, government 

and also being highly successful a 

business women,” said Cookie. 

“Young woman need to push the 

boundaries of success and be part of 

not just South Africa’s success but of 

the African continent. The time is right 

for young women to be part of the 

economy and take up roles which 

will positively impact every citizen of 

the country.” 

When tasked with identifying 

her major accomplishments to date, 

Cookie emphasized, “Being able 

to single handedly develop and 

build a leading SA African womanlead 

organization with zero funding 

and no assistance – my proudest 

achievement to date. Then securing 

global companies as our clients and 

receiving the highest customer service 

feedback year after year and also I feel 

being able to extend our successes 

into hiring young unemployed youth 

in SA and developing them into 

champions in their fields of work.” 

Cookie summed it up beautifully, 

advising young women to, 

“Never give up, focus on the goal at 

hand and continuously work hard. 

You can do it!” 

Cookie Naidoo has been the GM at 

Quantum Recruitment since 2008, 

a 100% Black Owned with 100% 

Black Woman Ownership and is 

considered a Value Added Supplier in 

terms of its BBBEE recognition.

20 

Women of AfricA / Luyanda ngwenya 

Luyanda ngwenya 

CeO and Founder of ICu eyecare

Luyanda ngwenya / Women of AfricA 

Growing up in the dusty 

streets of Kwa-Thema 

Township in the East of 

Johannesburg, in South Africa, 

was never easy, but Luyanda 

Ngwenya always wanted more 

out of life. With her father 

falling into early retiremen 

at 33 due to illness and her 

mother being the sole 

breadwinner, life was often 

a hand-to-mouth affair. But 

through hard work and 

determination, Luyanda 

maintained good grades right 

up to matric, and thanks to 

the support of Anglo Zimele, 

an organisation that funds 

SMME’s at a very 

reasonable interest rate, she 

is a now an independent 

woman running a sustainable 

optometry business. Inspired 

by a passion to close the 

disparities in vision care 

access, Luyanda decided to 

follow her dream and start her 

own optometry to help others 

and make a difference in 

people’s lives. ICU Eyecare 

has allowed Luyanda the 

opportunity to do just that and 

more through service and 

education to the undeserved 

in our local community. Now 

four years old, ICU Eyecare, 

was initially funded by her 

parents. Luyanda’ spiritual 

father and 

then introduced me to Zimele, 

who provided a loan to buy 

critical equipment to get the 

business started. In the 

second year of operation, she 

entered the SAB Kick-start 

Competition, from which she 

made the national finalists and 

won a further grant to grow the 

business. SAB support and 

mentorship has played a 

major role in the strategic 

direction the business has 

undertaken. “It is fulfilling to 

see how I have made my 

parents proud by how far I 

have come,” says Luyanda. 

“In the first year of my 

business, Zimele kick started 

my dreams by loaning me the 

money I needed to purchase 

critical equipment needed for 

my business. And in the third 

year they assigned a 

business mentor to advise on 

all matters relating to business 

growth and development. 

Mother of two, now Luyanda 

owns and operated a 

full-fledged optometry 

business that not only helps 

other see clearly, but helps 

Luyanda see her own dreams 

come true. ICU Eye Care 

provides primary eye care 

services and education to 

disadvantaged individuals with 

no access to medical aid. It 

does this by providing flexible 

and affordable payment 

options. In addition to ever-day 

optometry, Luyanda also 

provides service industry 

workers with an ‘Optometrist in 

a Container’ to help meet their 

everyday ocular safety needs. 

Luyanda’s business also 

manages to give back and sees 

itself as a ‘Sustainable Social 

Enterprise’. By working closely 

with the private and public 

sectors, ICU Eye Care is able to 

provide quality eye care to 

previously disadvantaged school 

children – reducing failure rate 

and increases academic 

performance. Luyanda 

believes there is an 

abundance of young people in 

South Africa with brilliant 

business ideas. “All they need is 

someone to listen and 

support them in making their 

businesses come to life,” she 

says. “South Africa needs more 

big businesses like Anglo 

American to continue 

supporting young 

entrepreneurs. Ultimately, this 

reduces unemployment and 

ensures that less people go to 

bed hungry. Luyanda 

Ngwenya - a true Champion of 

the Continent! 

Tel: 011 383 2116 

Cell: 083 973 5464 

luyandan@icueyecare.co.za 

www.icueyecare.co.za 

21

WOMEN OF AFRICA / SOUTH AFRICA 

Liziwe Ntshengulana 

Life Coach and Mentor 

Renowned author and 

founder of Aurora 

Coaching and 

Mentoring (Pty) Ltd, Liziwe 

Ntshengulana is a true 

Champion of Africa. 

Liziwe founded this 100% 

black woman-owned 

empowerment enterprise, 

having identified a noticeable 

gap in Life Coaching and 

Mentoring in people not 

achieving their interdependent 

goals, especially in 

cooperatives, businesses and 

governmental institutions. 

“I have an entrepreneurial 

spirit; I like to do things that 

have never been done before, 

especially because people 

will not tell you how to do 

them. As a Circuit Manager, I 

started an award ceremony to 

award schools that perform 

best in all school activities. I 

visited schools individually, to 

56 | 

22 

explore where they needed 

assistance so that support 

could be directed accordingly. 

My mission with the schools 

was to create leaders who in 

turn create leaders. This we 

managed by creating conflict 

free school environments. My 

circuit was awarded as the 

best amongst the nine circuits 

in the district in Learner 

Achievement in 2007 results 

for Cluster A,” said Liziwe. 

“My Circuit is the first and 

only one to have wholly 

rationalized according 

to Government policies 

of Realignment and 

Rationalization in the district. 

All schools in my circuit have 

two phases .The primary 

section starting from Grade 

One to Grade Seven, the 

senior secondary starts from 

Grade Eight to Grade 12 

according to the New Model 

that has been adopted by 

the whole Eastern Cape 

Province. 

“Other achievements 

include the launching of a 

project of returning the rural 

population back to grass 

roots living by integrating 

Agriculture, Arts and Culture 

and Technology in the form 

of sewing with community 

life so that people can take 

responsibility for what is 

happening in their schools. 

“They are also able to 

empower themselves side 

by side with their children 

to have better life and be 

self-sufficient. I recognize 

that rural areas can sustain 

a country when people are 

assisted to utilize natural 

resources to manufacture 

goods rather than have our 

resources siphoned by other 

countries to manufacture

SOUTH AFRICA / WOMEN OF AFRICA 

goods they sell back to us at 

higher prices. 

“I have written and 

published two books. 

The World Upside Down, 

published by Verity Publishers 

in 2013, second one Women, 

Now is the Time, published 

by Kima Global Publishers 

as an E-book in 2014. I am 

working on a third one,” she 

shared. 

“Women, Now is the Time 

is helpful to hungry minds. It 

is relevant to both developed 

and developing countries. 

Its style is suitable for 

international reading market 

especially countries similar 

to ours, where the ideology 

of democracy has a strong 

impact on the citizens at 

large. This book is excellent 

reading at FET and Higher 

levels of education, as well 

as for other departments 

other than Education. I can 

urge people to add it to their 

list,” This is a review from one 

educator who read the book . 

One reader responded to 

Liziwe after reading Women, 

Now is the Time stating, “This 

book liberates the mind and 

brings out the weakness 

of lacking self-esteem. I 

gained a lot of knowledge 

and strength from reading 

it. I used to be a victim of 

my colleagues and seniors 

at work, since reading it I 

manage to stand up to them 

now. With wisdom gained 

from it I ended family quarrels 

started my own company. My 

life changed because of the 

book`s inspiring message. 

It should be read during the 

transition phase from physical 

liberation to mental liberation. 

Things are changing and only 

people who are self-sufficient 

will stand the changes that 

are subtly taking place. When 

change is fast it becomes 

invisible. This book will 

heighten your senses . Billy 

Selekana of Lead Beyond 

Margins was also wowed by 

the book!” 

The inspiration to write the 

book is the one that 

prompted Liziwe to become 

a Life Coach, Inspirational 

Speaker and Mentor. She 

identified co-operatives as a 

niche for her Life Coaching 

business, resulting in a better 

life for all people and closing 

the widening gap between 

the rich and poor. 

Tel: 072 881 4761 

Email: info@auroracm.co.za 

Web: www.auroracm.co.za 

| 57 

23


Oliver Tambo 

A Champion of Women’s Emancipation 

On 27th October 2016, 99 years 

ago, a liberator, fighter and 

protector of women’s rights 

was born. 

The African National Congress 

Women’s League (ANCWL) has been 

honoring those who have made 

significant contributions in the struggle 

for women emancipation. This cannot 

be complete until one takes the journey 

from the era of President Oliver 

Reginald Tambo who took women 

issues to the center stage within the 

African National Congress (ANC) and 

provided leadership in society with 

regards to women empowerment. 

History tells us that in 1941, a white 

person who was in charge of the 

kitchen at the then College of Fort Hare 

where Tambo was a Sciences student, 

assaulted a black woman employee. As 

it was expected during the dark days of 

segregation, an enquiry into the matter 

exonerated the white man involved. 

It was none other than Tambo who 

influenced students to stage a boycott 

of classes in protest. Standing up for 

the rights of a black woman employee, 

amongst many of his 

leadership qualities, elevated him 

into being unanimously elected 

chairperson of the Students’ 

Committee of his residence, Beda Hall 

in 1942. 

To honor the life and the legacy of 

Oliver Tambo, one must 

acknowledge his contribution towards 

women empowerment and gender 

equality and the impact thereof. 

His commitment in advocating for 

gender equality that began during his 

student days, continued. 

When Tambo was the head of the 

ANC’s Constitutional Commission in 

1959, he recommended that more 

constitutional recognition be given to 

the ANCWL hence we are indeed 

humbled to be part of today’s 

celebration. 

Tambo further advanced the agenda 

of our liberation by forming a 

committee on women emancipation 

guided by the ANC on issues of gender 

equality and the struggle for women’s 

26


rights. This era also marked the the 

endorsement of non-racialism and the 

Freedom Charter amongst others. 

The revised constitution came to be 

known as the Tambo Constitution to 

signify his commitment to political work 

within the ANC. 

The banning of the ANC and the 

ANCWL in 1960 forced women to work 

underground in their pursuance for 

liberation. The women in exile 

organized themselves into the ANC 

Women’s Section. 

It was at the ANC Women’s Section 

Conference in Angola in the year 1981 

that President Tambo affirmed his 

confidence in women leadership where 

he said, “We invite the Women’s 

Section of the ANC and the black 

women of South Africa, more 

oppressed and more exploited than 

any section of the population, to take 

up this challenge and assume their 

proper role outside the kitchen among 

the fighting ranks of our movement and 

its command post.” 

Subsequently to the unbanning of 

political organizations the ANCWL was 

relaunched in 1990. 

In his message to the Women’s 

Conference in 1990 he said, “It is 

the women of South Africa who have 

played a vital role in the mass 

mobilization, armed struggle, which 

together, made possible your meeting 

openly and legally today. The struggle 

must now be taken forward to ensure 

that the gains which have been made 

lead to further advancements.” 

His legacy includes numerous 

gains for women in the negotiations for 

democracy and also ensured a high 

proportion of women in parliament, a 

gender sensitive Constitution and the 

establishment of State machinery to 

mainstream gender equality. 

He did not live long enough to 

witness democracy but his legacy is 

democracy, his legacy lives on! 

27

WOMEN OF AFRICA / THOKOZILE MANGWIRO 

Thokozile Mangwiro 

Proudly building an African brand 

Africa is seeing a growing interest 

in natural skin and haircare 

products, utilising indigenous 

ingredients and demonstrating an 

ethical and more environmentally 

friendly approach to production. 

South African based Nyla Naturals 

is the brainchild of founder Thokozile 

Mangwiro, who is taking the renowned 

native Marula oil and 

using its natural properties to create a 

whole new product range that is both 

sustainable and specially formulated to 

care for African women’s skin and hair. 

“Our mission is to 

produce base products that are natural, 

nourishing, healing and pamper hair 

and skin of all types,” said Thokozile. 

Nyla Naturals is a South 

African company that is focused on 

manufacturing personal hair and skin 

care products. 

Our 100% natural 

cosmetic products use a fusion of 

natural ingredients with premium oils, 

such as the Southern African 

indigenous Marula oil for skin and hair 

nourishment. 

Being pure and natural, the 

products are formulated to deeply care 

for skin and hair with minimal side 

effects. They are chemical free, never 

tested on animals, and because 

of the premium oils we use, are of 

the highest quality. Our products are 

crafted in small batches to ensure the 

freshness and uniqueness of each 

product. 

I have struggled with dry skin and 

hair since I started growing my natural 

hair in 1999. In that defining and 

exciting moment, I quickly learned that 

many of the products in stores were not 

created to meet my moisture hungry 

hair and skin. 

I transitioned into dreadlocks the 

year after and have continued to do my 

ownhair since then. 

Twelve years and several travels 

locally and internationally later, I 

continued to struggle until I began to 

formulate products that would truly 

nourish my hair and skin. I wanted 

pure natural products that would 

28

THOKOZILE MANGWIRO / WOMEN OF AFRICA 

leave a soft and silky smooth feel. The 

miracle oil that has stolen my heart is 

indigenous to my region of Southern 

Africa. The Marula Oils are like nothing 

I have felt before. 

Luxurious, silky smooth and comforting 

to the skin – a true skin and hair 

nourishment oil. 

After a year of formulation, Nyla 

naturals was finally launched on the 

2nd of February 2015. I thoroughly 

enjoy formulating each 

product, knowing that the pureness of 

the premium Marula oil goes into each 

bottle, and produces high quality 

products that are loved by our clients. 

We are proud of our Nyla Naturals 

products! 

Thokozile shared, “I come from an 

academic and corporate background. I 

have always understood the idea of 

entrepreneurship, however I was 

focused on my corporate career. 

Even known to be creative, I was 

taught that academia was the only path 

to fulfilling one’s dreams. 

After my master’s degree, I felt as 

though I was not reaching my full 

potential as a human being; as an 

African woman. My love for Africa is 

very deep and I felt I was not creating 

anything that contributed to it. 

It is in the formulation of my 

products and the response of clients 

that I have found my entrepreneurial 

spirit. 

It is in my desire to want to create 

products that are impact driven, that 

will fuel this spirit.” 

Tel:+27 (0)72 049 7416 

nylanaturals@gmail.com 

www.nylanaturals.com 

29

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32

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all the typical audiology services 

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33


The Role of Women 

in the Struggle for Freedom 

Women in South Africa, have 

emerged as primary catalysts 

for protests against, and as 

challengers of, the apartheid regime. 

With all the disabilities and 

devastating effects of apartheid on 

the status of women that have already 

been described, women have never 

lost sight of the fact that meaningful 

change for them cannot come through 

reform but only through the total 

destruction of the apartheid system. 

Thus the common exploitation and 

oppression of men and women on the 

basis of colour has led to a combined 

fight against the system instead of 

a battle of women against men for 

“women’s rights.” 

While women desire their personal 

liberation, they see that as part of the 

total liberation movement. 

Although there is no doubt that the 

overt leadership has been dominated 

by men, the seemingly 

unacknowledged and informal 

segment of society controlled by 

women has been the key to many of 

the most significant mass movements 

in modern South African history. 

It is only in the very recent past that 

the crucial role played by women in 

raising basic issues, organising and 

involving the masses has become 

more widely recognised. 

Through the anti-pass campaign, 

the courage and determination 

displayed by South African women in 

their refusal to accept the 

restrictive passes epitomises their 

over-all participation in the struggle to 

eradicate apartheid. 

On the morning of 21 March 1960, 

thousands of Africans gathered in 

locations around the country. 

In Sharpeville, up to 20,000 came to 

the police station; the atmosphere was 

the police station; the atmosphere was 

tense. Police opened fire; 67 Africans 

34


were killed and 186 wounded, including 

40 women and 8 children. 

Proclamation 268 and Government 

Notice 1722 of 26 October 1962 made 

it obligatory for African women to 

carry passes as of 1 February 1963. 

Former ANC President and Nobel 

Peace Prize winner Albert Luthuli later 

wrote about the women’s actions, 

“Among us Africans, the weight of 

resistance has been greatly increased 

in the last few years by the emergence 

of our women. 

It may even be true that, had the 

women hung back, resistance would 

still have been faltering and uncertain. 

he demonstration made a great impact, 

and gave strong impetus. Furthermore, 

women of all races have had far less 

hesitation than men in making common 

cause about things basic to them.” 

Helen Joseph, one of the crucial white 

leaders opposing apartheid for 

decades, believed whites must be 

content with a supportive role and 

accept what some interpret as an 

apparent rejection of their full 

participation. She said, “There isn’t the 

same opportunity now. 

Don’t forget that the whites that 

identified themselves with the 

struggle of the people for justice were 

very few.” Others, such as Winnie 

Mandela, disagree that whites are 

rejected as participants in the liberation 

struggle, “Black Consciousness means 

to develop the awareness in people, 

to develop their pride, and it does not 

confine itself to blacks only. 

Black people include all the 

oppressed peoples of this country 

whatever the shade of their skin. All 

those who are prepared to honour what 

we are fighting for are included in this 

concept.” 

35

WOMEN OF AFRICA / DR. LOYISO MPUNTSHA 

Dr. Loyiso Mpuntsha 

CEO South African National Blood Service (SANBS) 

38

DR. LOYISO MPUNTSHA / WOMEN OF AFRICA 

At the helm of the South African 

National Blood Service is Dr. 

Loyiso Mpuntsha, a true Woman 

of Africa. 

Loyiso began her career in 

healthcare after 10 years of working 

as a Medical Officer. She realized then 

that broader policy issues needed to be 

addressed and thus moved on to 

working with the Medical Association 

and then the National Department of 

Health before heading the SANBS. 

She holds a degree in Medical 

Advancement Management and a 

Master’s Degree in Quality Value. 

Loyiso is affiliated with the Medical 

Association of South Africa, the 

International Society of Blood 

Transfusion and Health Professionals 

of South Africa. 

Having completed her medical 

training at Medunsa, Loyiso went on to 

obtain a B.Phil and an M.Phil in policy 

formulation at the University of 

Stellenbosch. She joined the SANBS 

from the Department of Health, where 

she worked as the director for 

women’s health and human genetics. 

Prior to that, she spent five years at 

the South African Medical 

Association where she was director for 

health care, health policy and 

continuing professional development. 

This brief synopsis belies the rigorous 

path that Loyiso has walked. 

Her career started in 1986 as a 

Medical Officer in Cecilia Makiwane 

hospital near East London, three years 

later, she worked as a private 

General Practitioner in Khayelitsha 

in the Cape, during this period she 

became involved in community projects 

for physically disabled children, 

traditional healers and church groups 

contributing in health education and 

fund raising. 

She also involved herself in 

organising black medical doctors for 

integration with the established 

association which focused mainly on 

the needs of white doctors at that time. 

This took Loyiso to the South African 

Medical Association (SAMA) as an 

Executive responsible for Health Policy 

and HIV/AIDS from 1997 to 2002. She 

developed and managed the SAMA 

Continuing Professional Development 

(CPD) programme for the medical 

profession before moving to the 

National Department of Health in 2002 

as Director for Maternal, Women’s 

Health and Human 

Genetics.Loyiso hails from the 

Eastern Cape, having been born in 

East London and matriculated at the 

former Healdtown in Fort Beaufort. She 

completed her Pre-Medicine at Fort 

Hare and her MBCHB medical degree 

at Medunsa. Later, she obtained a 

MPhil degree with a focus on Values 

based policy formulation, from 

Stellenbosch University. 

Loyiso’s passion lies in 

supporting communities in health and 

welfare programmes. She is a 

Fellow of the seventh class of the 

Africa Leadership Initiative-South Africa 

and a member of the Aspen Global 

Leadership Network. Around 1997, 

Dr. Loyiso Mpuntsha was rejected as 

a blood donor. Today she is the Chief 

Executive Officer of the South African 

National Blood Service, the same 

organisation that discriminated against 

her. She was at a shopping mall and 

happened across a blood transfusion 

stall inviting people to donate blood. 

“There were two white ladies and I 

indicated I was very interested, tried to 

pick up a pamphlet and look at what 

they’re doing. No one spoke to me and 

it was clear they wanted me to move 

on, but they attended to a white women 

39

standing behind me.” She now heads 

up the very company that rejected her 

nearly two decades ago. 

The South African National Blood 

Service strives to provide safe blood 

products and blood related services 

to all patients in a cost efficient 

manner. SANBS was established 

through a merger of six independent 

companies in the year 2000, to 

become a national organization 

covering employing over 2,000 

employees. 

Her success is credited to Loyiso’s 

consistent focus on the values and 

mandate of the organization in the 

interest of serving the country’s health 

service needs for blood products and 

related medical services. Over the 

past five years of being at the helm of 

SANBS, Loyiso has managed to 

advance transformation across 

the leadership, management and 

stakeholder profile of the SANBS in 

alignment to the population 

demographics and democratic values 

of South Africa. 

Year on year the South Africa 

National Blood Service receives and 

distributes greater quantities of blood, 

while continuously maintaining its 

quality and integrity. Loyiso shared 

that the movement of blood across 

South Africa is not the logistical 

nightmare that one would presume. 

“Transporting so much blood 

continuously to our donation 

testing facilities is of course a 

challenge and we have our own 

vehicles and a dedicated team who 

are fast and efficient,” she said. 

However SANBS’s growth and 

success has not been an easy 

process and the organisation has had 

to overcome challenges in the last 

decade to where it is today. 

The first key issue that South 

Africa National Blood Service has had 

to address is the small matter of 

supply. South Africa has a total 

population of nearly 50 million 

people, with approximately 500,000 

of which are regular blood donors and 

SANBS constantly drives campaigns 

to broaden the scope of donations 

around the country. 

The nation’s blood service maintains 

stringent quality control on every litre 

collected with no record of infected 

blood. Loyiso emphasized that the 

40

DR. LOYISO MPUNTSHA / WOMEN OF AFRICA 

use of nucleic acid amplification 

technology (Nat) has successfully 

reduced to five days the window 

period during which infections 

cannot be detected. No HIV infections 

through blood transfusions have been 

recorded since 2005. “Nat identifies 

traces of genetic materials of HIV, 

hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses in 

the blood more effectively that other 

methods,” she said. 

“However, only 1% of the South 

African population donates blood, 

which is insufficient for a country that 

has a high demand. Everyone, 

regardless of their race, is screened 

vigorously when donating blood. 

SANBS does not use race as an 

indicator of blood safety, but looks 

at the frequency of donations as an 

indicator. 

“Everyone is at risk of infections and 

it depends on their lifestyle,” said 

Loyiso. 

The SANBS campaign is aimed 

at educating blood donors about the 

advantages of leading a sexually safe 

lifestyle that enables them to commit 

to long-term blood donations. 

“The more regular a donor donates, 

the more useful the donation is. 

If you are a regular donor, you are the 

safest donor as you always monitor 

HIV, hepatitis and syphilis infections,” 

she said. 

Nat has reduced the risk of 

contracting infected blood. However, 

the cost of a unit of blood to be 

administered to a patient has 

increased due to the new technology. 

She said the SANBS has improved its 

transport system and has 

well-equipped vehicles. 

“We reviewed our transport system 

and put in place vehicles that have 

emergency fridges and insulated 

boxes.” 

Loyiso is married and a proud 

mother of three children. She shared 

“My mother, who was a nurse, had a 

very positive influence on my initial 

decision to dedicate her career to 

medicine.” 

Tel: +27 (0) 11 761 900 

customerservice@sanbs.org.za 

www.sanbs.org.za 

41

42

Over the hills, out of this world 

A 

heavenly location and stellar 

views help make this 

Five-Star luxury retreat in 

Knysna an indulgent, luxurious 

hideaway. 

Absolutely perfect for pure escape 

– discard your plans and agendas, 

your restaurant reservations or 

sightseeing expectations; 

just be lured by the promise of 

pure indulgence with plush beds in 

sophisticated bedrooms and every 

convenience at your fingertips. 

Head over Hills presents that and 

much more. 

Instead of pure stillness and 

idyllic silence, experience the 

perpetual drama of one of the most 

magnificent scenes you’ve ever 

witnessed along the Garden Route. 

Head over Hills is an intimate and 

classy guesthouse perched high 

above the ocean on Knysna’s 

craggy Eastern Head. 

Each of its eight rooms is imbued 

with glass “walls” which fold 

back to cantilevered private 

deck, enabling you to appreciate 

unimpeded views of the ocean and 

the horizon. 

Squander your days, do little aside 

from watching – from a dizzyingly 

high angle – the pull and push of 

Indian Ocean currents washing in 

and out of the Knysna Lagoon. 

While the rambunctious ocean 

froths and churns outside, your 

bedroom will be a serene sanctuary 

kitted out with designer chairs, 

a bright red SMEG bar fridge, 

and top-notch Hastens bed in three 

of the suites, which will transform 

you to indolent bliss – the lure of 

staring in awe from your balcony 

might be the only catalyst to draw 

you from your bed. 

Simply staring out onto that 

unruly scene will feel like a 

fulfilling way to spend your 

getaway, contemplating 

the power and thrust of 

those relentless waves as 

they thrash and batter the 

headland. 

And when you’re not cooing over 

the breathtaking view from your 

balcony, you will be mesmerised 

by the glass pool in front of the 

equally splendid lounge, or from 

an alfresco lunch table set up just 

for you. 

You may never want to leave this 

luxurious cocoon, which might be 

challenging if you intend to visit 

picturesque Knysna with plans 

to go sightseeing or exploring. 

The renowned golf courses mere 

minutes away, adventures on 

a bike, meanders through the 

nearby magical forests, the allure 

of splendid wine farms in nearby 

Plett, or even cruising to look for 

whales and dolphins – these will 

all seem like distractions from your 

cosseting nest. 

Such blissful luxury is by no means 

cheap, but the return on investment 

is pretty remarkable. Aside from 

its location and gorgeous design, 

there is the joy of celebrity-grade 

pampering from the dedicated and 

tireless staff. 

And every so often it’s worth paying 

a little extra for accommodation 

that truly is out of this world, 

so that – once you come back to 

earth – you actually feel like you’ve 

escaped the heavy pull of gravity 

for a while. 

Immerse yourself in absolute luxury 

and tranquil ocean-front ambiance 

at Head over Hills. 

Tel: 044 384 0384 

Tel: 044 384 1250 

info@headoverhills.co.za 

www.headoverhills.co.za 

43


The Women’s Charter of South Africa 

We, the women of South Africa, 

wives and mothers, 

working women and 

housewives, African, Indians, 

European and Coloured, hereby 

declare our aim of striving for the 

removal of all laws, regulations, 

conventions and customs that 

discriminate against us as women, 

and that deprive us in any way of 

our inherent right to the advantages, 

responsibilities and opportunities that 

society offers to any one section of the 

population. 

We women do not form a society 

separate from the men. There is only 

one society, and it is made up of both 

women and men. As women we share 

the problems and anxieties of our men, 

and join hands with them to remove 

social evils and obstacles to progress. 

The level of civilisation which any 

society has reached can be 

measured by the degree of freedom 

that its members enjoy. The status of 

women is a test of civilisation. 

Measured by that standard, South 

Africa must be considered low in the 

scale of civilised nations. 

We women share with our menfolk 

the cares and anxieties imposed by 

poverty and its evils. As wives and 

mothers, it falls upon us to make small 

wages stretch a long way. 

It is we who feel the cries of our 

children when they are hungry and 

sick. It is our lot to keep and care for 

the homes that are too small, broken 

and dirty to be kept clean. We know 

the burden of looking after children 

and land when our husbands are away 

in the mines, on the farms, and in the 

towns earning our daily bread. 

These are evils that need not exist. 

They exist because the society in 

which we live is divided into poor and 

rich, into non-European and European. 

They exist because there are privileges 

for the few, discrimination and harsh 

treatment for the many. We women 

have stood and will stand shoulder to 

44


shoulder with our menfolk in a 

common struggle against poverty, race 

and class discrimination, and the evils 

of the colour bar. 

As members of the National 

Liberatory movements and Trade 

Unions, in and through our various 

organisations, we march forward with 

our men in the struggle for liberation 

and the defence of the working people. 

We pledge ourselves to keep high 

the banner of equality, fraternity and 

liberty. 

As women there rests upon us 

also the burden of removing from 

our society all the social differences 

developed in past times between men 

and women, which have the effect of 

keeping our sex in a position of 

inferiority and subordination. 

We resolve to struggle for the removal 

of laws and customs that deny African 

women the right to own, inherit or 

alienate property. We resolve to work 

for a change in the laws of marriage 

such as are found amongst our African, 

Malay and Indian people, which have 

the effect of placing wives in the 

position of legal subjection to 

husbands, and giving husbands the 

power to dispose of wives’ property 

and earnings, and dictate to them in 

all matters affecting them and their 

children. 

To build and strengthen women’s 

sections in the National Liberatory 

movements, the organisation of women 

in trade unions, and through the 

peoples’ varied organisation. 

To cooperate with all other 

organisations that have similar aims in 

South Africa as well as throughout the 

world. 

To strive for permanent peace 

throughout the world. 

45

WOMEN OF AFRICA / XOLISWA NJOKWENI-MLOTYWA 

Xoliswa Njokweni-Mlotywa 

Managing Director of Thermitrex 

46

XOLISWA NJOKWENI-MLOTYWA / WOMEN OF AFRICA 

At the helm of Thermitrex, a 

leading supplier of rail welding 

solutions in South Africa is the 

dynamic Xoliswa Njokweni-Mlotywa. 

A civil engineer by training, 

Xoliswa’s work experience is 

impressive. She was appointed as 

Managing Director in January 2014 

when Thermitrex felt the need to 

expand on their senior management. 

Thermitrex has served the needs of 

both Transnet and Metro Rail as their 

sole supplier of Rail welding solutions 

since 1971. Xoliswa was brought in to 

assist Charles Lloyd who 

administers the research and 

development side as well as all 

technical and quality aspects of the 

company, with the responsibility of the 

administration and commercial 

development requiring her expertise. 

After Xoliswa graduated from the 

University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2000, 

she joined Metrorail’s Infrastructure 

Department initially as a Perway 

Engineer for four years was 

responsible for their asset and 

maintenance management. 

She found herself in a white 

male-dominated environment, who 

resented her appointment as a female. 

“The biggest dynamics for me were 

the changes around me at this time. 

I was a young, black female – what 

was I doing here! I found I had to work 

twice as hard as my 

counterparts, with little or no 

assistance. 

“There were many challenges, I 

was fresh from University with little 

rail experience, and the first female in 

the technical department apart from 

administrators. Eventually they came 

to realize I was quite capable and up 

to the task, as it were, and slowly was 

recognized and treated equally,” she 

shared. 

This was the grounding that has 

strengthened Xoliswa’s resolved and 

determination which she still 

maintains to this day. 

She then joined the Industrial 

Development Corporation (IDC) as a 

business analyst to broaden her 

commercial experience. She grew 

remarkably while at IDC focusing 

on potential clients and overseeing 

numerous new ventures and financial 

projects. “The IDC was a remarkable 

learning curve for me and I 

developed many skills while there,” 

she said. 

From the IDC Xoliswa moved to 

Coega Development Corporation 

(CDC) in the role of project manager. 

Xoliswa receiving the 2014 Equal Representation and Participation Award for Thermitrex 

at the Gender Mainstreaming Awards, held at Vodaworld in Gauteng, South Africa. 

The CDC is a state owned entity formed 

in 1999 mandated to develop and 

operate the Coega Industrial 

Development Zone (IDZ) located close 

to the bustling Nelson Mandela Bay 

Metropolitan Municipality. 

The CDC strives to improve the 

delivery of infrastructure in the 

Eastern Cape by addressing skill 

shortages, unemployment, 

constrained planning and project 

management capacity. 

From CDC Xoliswa joined the 

Development Bank of South Africa where 

she was appointed as a Civil 

Engineering Expert for DBSA. 

The DBSA is mandated to accelerate 

sustainable socio-economic 

development and improve the quality 

of life of South Africans where she was 

tasked with working with and 

developing various municipalities. 

Xoliswa then was head hunted by 

Racec Rail early in 2013 as General 

Manager for South African 

operations. 

After a very short period she was 

shadowing their then 

Managing Director and was groomed 

into his position prior to venturing into his 

own business. The company had been 

beset with problems for some time and 

at this point Xoliswa was 

approached by Thermitrex. 

Thermitrex found they needed growth 

in product portfolio and 

expansion into sub-Sahara Africa 

necessitated strengthening in their 

management executive team. 

Having noticed her 

experiencewithin their industry Xoliswa 

was asked to join them. 

Technical MD Charles Lloyd said 

the time “With her valuable 

experience, she will strengthen 

Thermitrex leadership considerably. 

”Now firmly entrenched at 

Thermitrex, Xoliswa is confident that 

her role as Commercial Managing 

Director is benefitting both the 

company and the rail industry in the 

region. 

During her tenure the company 

has been recognised and awarded the 

Equal Representation and 

Participation Award at the 2014 

Gender Mainstreaming Awards, which 

Thermitrex and her are 

extremely proud of. 

Within the holding company 

Goldschmidt International GMBH 

based in Germany and 22 

subsidiaries worldwide Xoliswa has 

the distinct honour of being the only 

female director, truly earning her the 

accolade of a Woman of Africa! 

Tel: +27 (0)11 914 2540/6 

info@thermitrex.co.za 

www.thermitrex.co.za 

47


Thermitrex 

Improving rail welding 

Manufacturers and suppliers of 

Thermit welding 

consumables and equipment 

and other rail related products for the 

aluminothermic welding of rail ends 

– this method of joining rail ends 

provides a smooth, continuously 

welded track with a multitude of 

benefits. 

Established in 1971, Thermitrex 

(Pty) Ltd. In South Africa is a wholly 

owned subsidiary of Goldschmidt 

International GMBH based in 

Germany and has 22 subsidiaries 

worldwide specialising in rail welding 

technology. 

The company has been the major 

supplier to Transnet, Metro Rail and 

Gautrain since its inception and takes 

great pride in offering locally 

manufactured products. 

The Aluminothermic Welding 

Products and consumables 

manufactured by Thermitrex are 

compatible with all rail profiles and 

rail steel chemistries/metallurgies. 

In 1895, the Goldschmidt 

company, based in Essen, Germany, 

developed the reduction of metal 

oxides with aluminum powder to a 

technical standard, and recognized 

that the enormous heat resulting from 

the reaction can also be used for 

welding pieces of metal. 

After attempts to joint weld tram 

rails were successful at the beginning 

of the 20th century, the first railroad 

tracks were also continuously welded 

in 1928 for the German Reichsbahn. 

Prior to the First World War, the 

Thermit process had already spread 

worldwide through local 

representatives and national 

companies. Following the Second 

World War, the railway industry 

around the world introduced 

Thermit welding to produce 

continuous railway tracks, giving the 

Thermit companies an enormous 

boost worldwide. 

With the founding of new 

companies and joint ventures, the 

international organization was 

systematically built up. Thermit 

businesses are now established in 

Italy, India, Brazil, Austria, England, 

USA, South Africa, Australia, Czech 

Republic, Hungary and China. The 

companies of the Goldschmidt 

Thermit Group offer products and 

48


services for the construction, repair 

and maintenance of railway systems, 

including high-speed, heavy freight, 

trams, metro, and subways – with 

over 100 years of railway experience, 

our unique range of products and 

services, ongoing research and 

development, and a continuous 

commitment to quality, make the 

Goldschmidt Thermit Group a reliable 

and innovative partner for railway 

operators all over the world. 

Thermitrex (Pty) Ltd. takes great 

pride in offering locally manufactured 

products. 

Tel: +27 (0)11 914 2540/6 

info@thermitrex.co.za 

www.thermitrex.co.za 

49


Universal Education is crucial to 

the emancipation of Africa’s women 

By Elizabeth Oritsejolomi Dudley 

I 

am inspired always by a particular 

African woman I regret I never met, 

my Itsekiri paternal great 

grandmother, Madam Dorcas 

Ajamubaghan Etie Ejoh-Oki. My father 

imbibed, through her (and his children 

through him) all he held dear: a sense 

of self, family, compassion, loyalty, 

pride, dignity and continuity. 

Plus an enormous respect for the value 

of education. 

I grew up aware of her, her dignity, 

vibrancy, grace, humour, wisdom – and 

the fierce pride she had in who she 

was. She died in 1944. Yet, so many 

African women today face challenges 

similar to hers all those decades ago. 

While we now have universal 

recognition of the vital contribution 

African women make, a remaining and 

vast gender imbalance means that 

women still, in 2017, face a multiplicity 

of economic and social restraints. 

We all know the statistics – 80% of 

agricultural workers in Africa are 

women, yet few may own the land they 

toil. And, despite Africa having one of 

the few female country presidents, of 

the 175 million illiterate in Africa, 

perhaps more than 65 percent are 

women. 

Real change – addressing and 

converting these challenges into 

opportunities involves genuine political 

will. For me, this has to begin with a 

real universal quality education for all. 

To quote Margaret Meade, “Children 

must be taught how to think, not what 

to think”. 

And we can all, individuals, civil 

society and governments, play our 

part, no matter how small. 

Again I quote Meade, “never doubt 

that a small group of thoughtful, 

committed, citizens can change the 

world. Indeed, it is the only thing that 

ever has.” 

And so many of those who can, 

52


and do, are women. Amazing women. 

African women. 

I take inspiration from so many 

remarkable women, past and present, 

mostly, if not exclusively, African. 

Women who have made their mark 

in the world of music and literature to 

medicine, finance and politics. 

I think immediately of the late, 

incomparable, Miriam Makeba. 

Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi. 

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Chimamanda 

Ngozi Adichie. Graça Machel. 

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - and also of 

those who have shaped and guided my 

own life. 

Old Alhaja, a trader at the University 

of Ibadan from my childhood at whose 

feet I spent many happy hours listening 

to stories from her life. 

From school, the extraordinarily 

talented and astonishingly beautiful 

Oge Nduka Otonti. My brilliant first 

cousin, Sola Oworu, a woman at the 

heart of Lagos State government. 

Thelma Odunwo, my paternal aunt. 

My wonderful, passionate and gifted 

friends who contribute so much: Sheila 

Ruiz in promoting Africa; Susana 

Edjang in alleviating maternal mortality 

and Josephine Osikena in progressing 

foreign policy ideas and partnerships. 

African Women, I salute you. 

Elizabeth Dudley is a Trustee of The 

Britain-Nigeria Educational Trust, which 

exists to promote friendship and 

understanding between Britain and 

Nigeria by providing appropriate 

financial support for projects that 

directly contribute to the progress and 

advancement of education in Nigeria. 

53

WOMEN OF AFRICA / BEVERLY FARMER 

Women in Wine 

First for South Africa 

Women in Wine is the first 

South African 

wine-producing company 

that is owned, controlled and managed 

entirely by women. 

“To date, women have made a 

significant contribution to the Cape’s 

wine industry without receiving 

recognition or benefiting from the 

industry’s business opportunities,” says 

Beverly Farmer, a founder 

member and the chief executive. 

The company has several unique 

features. “Women in Wine embraces 

change in an industry which is 365 

years old,” explains Farmer. 

Beverly’s passion for the 

empowerment and upliftment of women 

started when she worked at a NGO 

and met the most amazing women 

who are committed to the development 

of their community by establishing 

crèches and youth 

development programmes amongst 

others. 

These women give unconditionally 

of themselves to their community 

without ever expecting something in 

return and in most cases without the 

assistance of the owner of the farm. 

She is most proud of the Women in 

Wine’s recognition as candidate of the 

Drinks magazine (UK) for the Ethical 

Trade Business Award in 2009. 

A mentor by nature, one of Beverly’s 

strengths is her ability to recognize and 

develop the often- untapped potential 

within others. She thrives on 

transferring her skills and knowledge, 

seeing people grow to their full ability, 

embracing their differences and finding 

common ground and goals. 

Katy September is the Chairperson 

of the Women in Wine Farm Workers 

Trust. Her role is to represent the farm 

workers in the workplace and address 

their needs. Her journey in the wine 

industry started 24 years ago where 

she worked as a general worker at 

Simonsig – a leading family owned 

estate. 

Little did she know that the world of 

wine would expand her 

horizons beyond imagination. 

The partners are all too aware that 

seasonal workers, who are often 

women, are unemployed for the rest of 

the year. 

A group of 20 women, all with 

backgrounds in the wine industry, 

formed the company seven years ago, 

with “the dream of giving women, 

especially farm workers and their 

families, a share in the industry”. 

The company strives to create 

a second source of income for these 

54

BEVERLY FARMER / WOMEN OF AFRICA 

women by identifying “skills 

development and training opportunities 

in collaboration with other 

organisations”. 

Women in Wine also works closely 

with organisations like the South 

African Wine Industry Trust which 

aims to restructure the wine industry 

to represent the interests of all those 

involved more effectively, in particular 

the farm workers, by building a shared 

consciousness through providing 

information, platforms for dialogue, 

education and co-ordination, and by 

promoting ethical trading. 

Women in Wine is also a founder 

member of the African Vintner Alliance, 

a joint action group established three 

years ago for the growth of black 

businesses in the wine industry. 

“During this period we have worked 

hard to establish a foothold in this 

traditional industry by working in 

collaboration with each other to enter 

and develop new markets,” Beverly 

says. 

Women in Wine only sources wine 

from farms that comply with 

socio-economic legislation with specific 

reference to ethical and environmental 

practices, employment conditions, skills 

development and training, as well as 

that address aspects of black economic 

empowerment. 

The group has found a ready 

overseas market for its product. It 

produces six wines: a Sauvignon 

Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, 

Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon/ 

Shiraz, Pinotage Rose, and 

Chardonnay Chenin Blanc. 

The wines are exported to the US, 

China, Ireland, Spain, Sweden and 

Denmark, and are available locally in 

Makro stores nationwide. They can 

also be ordered online from the Women 

in Wine website. 

Beverly believes the reason for this 

is that importers are interested in the 

story behind the brand. “The 

partnership between professional 

women and farm worker women is a 

truly South African story. In order to 

achieve our vision of contributing to 

the transformation of the South African 

wine industry, we have had to come up 

with creative solutions that break with 

traditional perceptions that to produce 

excellent wines you have to have land, 

vineyards, cellars and a big company 

for exports,” she says. 

Tel: +27 (0)21 872 8967 

info@womeninwine.co.za 

www.womeninwine.co.za 

55

WOMEN OF AFRICA / KENYA 

Women’s Rights in Kenya 

While women in Kenya take 

care of the majority of the 

agricultural and produce 

market work, they only earn a fraction 

of the income their male counterparts 

do. As an outcome of wage 

discrimination for women, 40 percent 

of households in Kenya that are run 

solely by women are in poverty. 

Women’s reliance on men has 

greatly increased within the past few 

years, due to state and resource 

conflicts during wartime. For instance, 

even though Kenya suffers droughts 

throughout the year, women are afraid 

to travel to collect water for their 

families due to gender-based violence. 

As a result, young girls cannot gain 

an adequate education due to the 

deficiency of proper hygiene and clean 

water within the school, resulting in 

low literacy rates. In addition, pregnant 

adult females who do not have access 

to clean water are more likely to 

acquire a water-borne disease, 

harming both the mother and unborn 

child.Women in Kenya are not only 

restricted in the private realm, but also 

face restrictions in the public realm. 

For example, women cannot gain 

any property or land regardless of their 

social rank. In fact, after their 

husband’s death, several widows lost 

their homes and families because of 

these harsh gender-based rules. If a 

woman tries to acquire any property or 

land for her family, she will be exiled 

from the household, or even worse, 

from the community. Kenyan cultural 

practices also influence the threat of 

HIV and AIDS that plague the 

country. Further, in addition to the 

medical threats of this disease, it also 

lowers women’s self-esteem. Forced 

sex and inheritance of a widow by male 

relatives is part of Kenyan culture, yet 

one in five adults have HIV, a rate even 

higher for women. 

58

KENYA / WOMEN OF AFRICA 

Besides the negative effects of 

some cultural practices, women also 

have a higher rate of experiencing 

gender inequality, discrimination, 

gender-based violence and rape. In 

particular, practices such as gang 

rapes or forced sexual mutilations 

continue to be a major issue in 

communities across the country. 

Unfortunately, even when these women 

file rape complaints, police often do 

not prosecute their perpetrators. Thus, 

there is no support for victims and 

survivors of violence. 

While there have been reforms to 

the Kenyan constitution within the past 

year, such as more rights for female 

business owners to help grow the 

economy, they constantly fight to keep 

their business afloat to support their 

families. The laws may vary, yet the 

traditional codes are nevertheless in 

effect within some communities and 

villages. 

Kenya needs to improve its legal 

assistance and medical care for 

women, while ensuring all women 

receive the highest degree of 

protection and representation. In 

addition, girls must have better access 

to education to improve literacy rates. 

Even though women voters make up 

the bulk of the voting population in 

Kenya, they continue to be seriously 

under-represented in politics, making it 

difficult to achieve these tangible goals. 

Overall, if women are more included 

in Kenya’s economy, the country can 

progress from severe poverty. By 

bringing women and young girls out 

of poverty and providing basic political 

and socio-economic rights, the country 

can and will grow for the better. 

59

WOMEN OF AFRICA / KENYA WOMEN HOLDING 

Dr. Jennifer Riria 

Touching lives 

Group CEO Dr. Jennifer Riria 

heads up Kenya Women 

Holding. She is distinguished 

as Microfinance Banker and 

Practitioner, Researcher and Gender 

Specialist. 

Kenya Women Holding (KWH) is a 

woman led, women serving 

development institution and engages 

in activities that empower, position and 

advocate for women. 

The organisation has over 400,000 

women members across Kenya and 

provides non financial services to 

women entrepreneurs to enable them 

improve their economic status, their 

livelihoods and hence the wellness of 

their families. 

Kenya Women Holding believes that 

women are the key engines of change 

that will create future opportunities for 

youth and society in scaling 

innovations and entrepreneurship. 

She has also led Kenya Women 

Microfinance Bank (KWFT) for over two 

decades, and, propelled it from 

unprofitable NGO to a medium sized 

Bank, serving low income women and 

their families. KWFT has served over 

three million women and disbursed 

over US$ 2.3 billion over a period of 

20 years. 

She has served in many other 

leadership roles for which she has 

been recognized locally and 

internationally. To mention a few of 

these – in 2006 she was awarded the 

Moran of the burning spear by Kenya 

Government for her role in 

Development. In 2011 she was also 

recognized by the Marketing Society 

of Kenya and awarded “Warrior” status 

Award. 

In addition she is a distinguished 

Champion of Democracy and was 

awarded “Champion of Democracy” 

by the Ford Foundation in 2012 for her 

role both as a leader of the TUVUKE 

62

KENYA WOMEN HOLDING / WOMEN OF AFRICA 

Initiative and Group CEO of Kenya 

Women Finance Trust. In 2014 she 

was awarded the Ernst & Young (EY) 

Entrepreneur of the year, East Africa 

2013, and subsequently, the EY, Global 

Entrepreneur of the year Award 2014, 

and, got admitted to the global Hall of 

fame. 

She is an institutional builder who 

focuses on institutions that empower, 

positions and advocate for the majority, 

and especially low income women and 

their families. For this reason she was 

awarded The “Most Outstanding 

Businesswoman of the year Award” by 

the Africa Economy Builders in April, 

2015. In July 2015 she received six 

other awards from the CEO Global as 

Africa most influential women in 

business and Government, among 

them was the “Africa Life time 

achiever” and “Continental lifetime 

achiever”. 

Her leadership engagements 

include WWB (Chair), Jabali 

Microserve (Chair), Member of the 

Global Leadership Council of Women 

and Girls Lead Global, TUVUKE 

Initiative for Peaceful and fair electoral 

process in Kenya (Chair), a life Board 

member of Association of Microfinance 

institutions in Kenya, among others. 

In the past she played a major role in 

the reconstruction and re-positioning of 

NHIF, AMFI (Chair), Post Bank, 

National Bank and Institutions of 

Higher learning. Dr. Riria is a 

transformative leader who strives for 

results. 

Working with and touching people’s 

lives is her passion. She has launched 

The Jennifer Riria Foundation to 

enhance her quest for touching lives. 

Tel: +254 727 910 000 

info@kenyawomen.org 

www.kenyawomen.org 

63

LEADERS / KENYA 

Narcolepsy Awareness Kenya 

Our Story 

My name is Anne Nduati. I 

am 35 years old, a single 

mother of a teenage 

daughter aged who lives with a 

rare sleep condition known as 

narcolepsy and I am the founder 

of Narcolepsy Awareness in 

Kenya and the Narcolepsy Africa 

Foundation – the first of its kind 

in in Kenya and in Africa. 

Narcolepsy is a chronic 

neurological disorder that affects 

the portion of the brain that 

regulates sleep and causes 

excessive daytime sleep. This 

can strike at any time, even while 

undertaking everyday activities 

64 

1 | WOMEN OF AFRICA 

such as reading, driving, eating, 

talking, cooking, swimming, etc. 

I first noticed confusing 

characteristics in her a few years 

ago and did not understand 

what was affecting her – I even 

thought she was bewitched 

because she slept so much 

during the day and her teachers 

would often report to me on 

her sleeping at school and ask 

questions that I could not answer. 

I then consulted a doctor who 

diagnosed her with narcolepsy. 

My daughter was always 

among the top three in her class 

despite her sleep condition. Such 

was the devastating effect on 

her that she reached a point of 

wanting to committing suicide 

because she felt nobody could 

understand her and she was 

also stigmatization in school. 

Her confusion was compounded 

as she would lead in her class 

during the morning and then sleep 

through the afternoon lessons. Her 

teachers confound and then she 

finally received counselling and 

we were all able to understand 

that she had narcolepsy – a 

real and a life-long condition. 

After accepting her condition, 

she asked that we start Narcolepsy

KENYA / LEADERS 

Awareness here in Kenya 

and as a concerned mother; I 

spoke to few friends and other 

affected persons and launched 

the programme. I also went to 

the social media groups where 

I discovered support groups in 

America and other developed 

counties. We were happy to 

know that we were not alone. 

To date we have identified 

many others with same 

condition and were driven to 

launch Narcolepsy Awareness 

Kenya – an organization that 

helps to identify the affected 

in our society. My daughter 

sacrifices her free time to 

create the awareness, draw 

educational narcoleptic pictures 

and encourages me greatly 

despite her sleep disorder. 

This year she will be taking 

her final primary examinations 

and she dreams of being a 

neurologist when she grows up! 

We are committed to 

highlighting awareness to all 

and sundry, from the man or 

women in the street, to schools 

and universities, to corporate 

and to branches of Government, 

not only here in Kenya but 

across the entire continent. 

As a parent I would ask that if 

you have a child with this condition 

please make yourself aware of all 

aspects of narcolepsy and support 

your child and never be ashamed 

of their situation. For me, if I had 

ignored her condition, I could 

have lost my precious child. We 

need to create more awareness 

and find sponsors and donors 

to facilitate our movement and 

spread awareness as Narcolepsy 

Awareness Kenya. I ask if you 

have a loved one suffering with 

narcolepsy to please get in touch 

with us. Supporters and donors 

wishing to help us reach others 

across Africa can contribute to: 

Account Name: Narcolepsy 

Awareness in Kenya 

Bank: National Bank of Kenya 

Swift Code: Nbkeken 

Acc Number: 0125 6111 46 9900 

Branch: Nakuru, Kenya 

Tel: +254 722 532 677 | +254 720 401 902 

Facebook: Narcolepsy Awareness in Kenya 

Email: narcolepsykenya@gmail.com 

Email: narcolepsyafricafoundation@gmail.com 

Web: www.narcolepsyafricafoundation.org 

WOMEN OF AFRICA | 2 

65

WOMEN OF AFRICA / LIBERIA 

Proud women of Liberia 

For Liberians, 2003 marked the 

fourteenth year of a 

relentless and bloody civil war. 

After coming to power in a coup in 

1989, President Charles Taylor 

struggled to keep control over a 

country divided by rebel factions. 

Both the rebels and the Taylor’s 

dictatorial regime inflicted severe 

harassment and violence on the people 

of Liberia in the course of the 

inter-ethnic struggle; by 2002, over 

200,000 people had died, and a third of 

the country’s population was displaced. 

Although the consequences of war 

spared few Liberians, women bore 

the brunt of the suffering. While the 

armed combatants were almost entirely 

male, women and girls regularly faced 

sexual assault and rape. Others were 

abducted, abused as forced laborers, 

or forced to marry the rebels. Those 

women who escaped such a fate were 

left with the task of caring for children 

and the elderly in the face of horrific 

conditions. 

During the years of warfare, 

Liberian women “had to endure the 

pain of watching their young sons… 

be forcibly recruited into the army. A 

few days later these young men would 

come back into the same village, 

drugged up, and were made to execute 

their own family members. Women had 

to bear the pain of seeing their young 

daughters… be used as sex slaves at 

night and as fighters during the day… 

women had to sit by and watch their 

husbands, their fathers be taken away. 

Unable to tolerate yet another year 

of fighting, in April 2003 a group of 

Liberian women launched a non-violent 

campaign for peace, uniting under the 

words of their leader Leymah Gbowee: 

“We would take the destiny of this tiny 

nation into our own hands.” Gbowee 

declared, “In the past we were silent, 

but after being killed, raped, 

68

LIBERIA / WOMEN OF AFRICA 

dehumanized, and infected with 

diseases… war has taught us that the 

future lies in saying NO to violence 

and YES to peace!” In a society where 

ethnic and religious tension was rife, 

women from Muslim and Christian 

organizations, of both indigenous and 

elite Americo-Liberian classes, united 

to form Women of Liberia Mass Action 

for Peace. 

The West Africa Network for Peace 

building (WANEP), a regional peace 

building association based in Ghana, 

realized the gravity of the situation 

and voiced growing concern over the 

status of women in Liberia, as well as 

the women of other war-torn nations in 

West Africa. In 2001, WANEP 

established the Women in Peace 

building Network (WIPNET). WIPNET 

was founded on the premise that 

“systematic violence against women 

such as rape, forced prostitution, 

mutilation, etc., was an expression of a 

deeper systemic disregard for women 

existing in West African societies. 

By using women’s numerical 

strength and their ability to mobilize 

around key issues, it would be possible 

to ensure that they could play a central 

role in formal peace processes and 

decision-making in the region.” 

WIPNET operated in several West 

African countries, holding workshops 

in conflict resolution and mediation, 

empowering rural and marginalized 

women, and opposing community 

violence. In the Liberian branch, the 

initial organization meeting was 

comprised of only four women. 

However, the WIPNET general network 

of women increased 

exponentially, with over a thousand 

women in regular attendance today. 

69


Ellen Johnson Sirleaf 

President of Liberia – Africa’s First Woman President 

Ellen Eugenia Johnson was born 

in Monrovia, capital city of 

Liberia. Founded in the 19th 

century by freed slaves from the United 

States, Liberia is the oldest republic in 

Africa. 

Its society has long been marked by 

tension between the indigenous people 

and the descendants of the 

American settlers. 

Three of Ellen Johnson’s 

grandparents were of native Liberian 

descent; her paternal grandfather 

was a traditional chief of the Gola 

people. Ellen Johnson’s mother was 

a teacher, her father an attorney, and 

the first indigenous Liberian to serve in 

the country’s legislature, a body long 

dominated by the descendants of the 

American settlers. 

Her parents placed a high value on 

education, and young Ellen received 

her secondary 

education at the prestigious College of 

West Africa in Monrovia, the 

nation’s capital. 

In 1965 she entered the Treasury 

Department, later known as the 

Ministry of Finance. In the mid-1970s 

Sirleaf left the Ministry to work for the 

World Bank in Washington, D.C., but 

she returned to Liberia in 1977 to serve 

as Deputy Finance Minister and was 

appointed Finance Minister in 1979; 

the first woman to hold this 

position in Liberia. 

After the coup d’état by 

Master Sergeant Samuel Doe in 1980 

she fled the country. For a brief time, 

she again worked as senior loan 

officer for the World Bank in the United 

States, but was soon back in Africa, as 

vice president of Citicorp’s Africa Office 

in Nairobi, Kenya. 

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf 

returned to Liberia in 2003 to 

chair the Governance Reform 

Commission of the 

Transitional Government. In 2005, 

Sirleaf resigned from the Commission 

to accept the nomination of the Unity 

Party as its candidate for 

President of Liberia in the country’s first 

truly free 

election. On January 16, 2006, Ellen 

Johnson Sirleaf was sworn in as the 

24th President of Liberia. She is 

the first elected female head of state 

in African history.Sirleaf spent the next 

five years repairing the damage done 

70


by 25 years of violence and misrule. 

From its peak of prosperity, prior to the 

1980 coup, Liberia had become one of 

the world’s poorest nations, beset by 

illiteracy, hunger and pandemic 

unemployment. 

President Sirleaf has also 

enforced equal rights for women, rights 

that were routinely ignored and abused 

during the chaotic years of civil war. 

Among other 

infrastructure projects, the Sirleaf 

administration has built over 800 miles 

of roads, attracting substantial foreign 

investment in mining, 

agriculture and forestry, as well as 

offshore oil 

exploration. A strong ally of the United 

States, President Sirleaf addressed a 

joint session of the United States Congress 

shortly after her 

inauguration. Liberia has also won 

support from China for construction of 

a new national university. President 

Sirleaf has placed a high 

importance on African and 

regional relations as well. 

She chairs the Mano River Union, 

fostering peace and economic 

cooperation among the neighboring 

nations of Liberia, Sierra 

Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire. 

In 2010, Newsweek 

magazine listed Johnson Sirleaf as one 

of the “Ten Best Leaders in the World,” 

while The Economist called her “the 

best president the country has ever 

had.” 

A grandmother of eight, 

President Sirleaf has become a 

popular symbol of democracy and 

women’s rights, not only in her own 

country, but throughout Africa and the 

developing world. 

In 2011, she was awarded the 

Nobel Prize for Peace, along with 

women’s rights campaigners Leymah 

Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakkul 

Karman of Yemen. The Nobel 

Committee credited Sirleaf’s 

contribution to “securing peace in 

Liberia, to promoting economic and 

social development, and to 

strengthening the position of women.” 

Four days after the 

announcement of the Nobel Prize, 

President Sirleaf was elected to a 

second term in office. 

71

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