S women Women Ministers
S women Women Ministers of Parliament Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Angela Thokozile Didiza Basic Education Matsie Angelina Motshekga Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thembi Nkadimeng Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Ruth Modise Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Barbara Dallas Creecy Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi International Relations and Cooperation Dr Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Lydia Ramokgopa Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Public Service and Administration Noxolo Kiviet Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams 20 | Service magazine
women S AN EPITOME OF SUCCESS The name Charmaine Mabuza has of late become synonymous with profound, phenomenal excellence in the world of business. The unassuming ITHUBA Group CEO, Charmaine Mabuza was recently announced as a winner in the Businesswoman of the Year Award. Social Development Lindiwe Daphne Zulu Tourism Patricia De Lille The Annual Premier Black Business Quarterly Awards (BBQ Awards) were held in March 2023. To be considered a finalist under the Businesswoman of the Year category required entrants to display elements of original entrepreneurship and leadership, strongly backed by demonstratable diversification and innovation within specific areas of operation as well as proven involvement and commitment to several sustainable community initiatives with a socio-economic environmental impact, especially in disadvantaged communities. These qualities resonate very much with Mabuza. Raised in Empangeni in KwaZulu- Natal, Mabuza was raised by a single parent who instilled in her the values of hard work, self-reliance and consistency, which helped shape her view and drive to succeed despite societal barriers. Through ITHUBA, Mabuza has successfully transformed a traditional retailer-dominated business model with fixed terminals in-store into a digitally driven organisation by implementing ITHUBA Group CEO, Charmaine Mabuza. an integrated solution across multiple platforms. Mabuza’s passion in the gaming sector had a spill-over effect in the form of socio-economic development, directed to those that did not have the means to sustain themselves. As a philanthropist, she has independently set up a series of social corporate responsibility projects. Another passion project she has firmly in place is the ITHUBA bursary programme, which caters to students from underprivileged backgrounds who have unparalleled interest to study in the fields of marketing, information technology and commerce. Other significant programmes she established to date include the Supplier Enterprise Development funding programme initiated to alleviate the impact of Covid-19. Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga As her success is evident from hard work, determination and boldness to break the ceiling, Mabuza concludes by saying that her journey will not stop anytime. “I have plans in place. And that is to grow as an entrepreneur and an internationally recognised businesswoman.” Service magazine | 21
