Four women transforming the future of their industries
Category Commercial and Industrial News
As we reach the end of Women's Month 2024, 3Cube Property Solutions has been reflecting on the amazing women who are making a difference in every industry across South Africa. We have put together a list of four women who we consider to be among the most remarkable and we invite you to join us in celebrating their accomplishments and sharing their success.
Shaking things up in the world of mining
Nompumelelo Zikalala is not only a highly accomplished leader in the traditionally male-dominated field of mining; she's also a chief executive officer who makes a difference in her industry. She is widely respected for her active participation in initiatives towards sustainable mining practices. Another fact that truly makes her worthy of recognition as a woman making a difference is her passion for mentoring the next generation of mining professionals. Mpumi, as she is known by those who know her, also serves as a trustee of the University of Johannesburg Trust and chairperson of the private sector forum of the South African National AIDS Council. Back in 2018, she was an extremely deserving winner of a Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining award, which was issued in London.
Taking the petrochemical world by storm
In 2023, bpSA CEO Taelo Mojapelo received the prestigious Top Woman Business Leader of the Year award, and what we love most about this is that the accolade was awarded partly due to her innovative policies that work towards empowering other women. Mojapelo's rise within the bpSA has been meteoric, and she was appointed CEO just two months after joining the company as Head of Commercial Optimisation and Supply. Her inclusion on Africa.com's 2023 Definitive List of Women CEOs speaks volumes about what she has achieved and the number of people she has inspired.
Creating a success story in retail and empowerment
When Bertina Engelbrecht, CEO of the Clicks Group, was interviewed by Executive Forecast in 2022, she was asked what advice she would give young women striving to become business leaders. We love that her advice included the need to encourage and be supportive of other women in leadership positions. "Practise gratitude and generosity by giving back to others," she added.
In the interview, she also states that she regards herself as an inclusive leader who listens and engages with people. We respect this greatly, along with her assertion that she has never been afraid of being challenged.
Engelbrecht is renowned as the instigator of Clicks' expansion into the healthcare sector, a move made in recognition of the need for affordable healthcare in South Africa. As is the case with the other women mentioned in this list, Engelbrecht is involved with projects aimed at empowering women in business. She is also passionate about promoting education in underprivileged communities.
Bringing a caring heart to the world of chicken farming
Elgin Free Range Chickens is a pioneer in South Africa and when entrepreneur Jeanne Groenewald started the business in the early 2000s, she had to teach herself about free-range farming because there was no one to learn from. In an article penned by Women Changing South Africa, Groenewald explains that her greatest achievement is having grown from a small home-based business producing 100 chickens a month to a large-scale commercially viable free-range industry producing more than 130 000 chickens per week.
What makes Groenewald stand out among businesswomen is her passionate adherence to her integrity and the principles of ethical farming. Over and above this, we love her belief that employees are central to the success of any business. It's no surprise that Groenewald has been named Female Farmer of the Year no less than three times - and that's just the tip of the iceberg of the awards and accolades that she has won.
3Cube Property Solutions is proud to shine the spotlight on three of South Africa's women in business. These women are visionaries, role models and an inspiration to us all. If you're a woman in business, we would love to help you thrive and grow by finding you the right premises. Get in touch today if your business needs a base in Gauteng or the Western Cape.
Author: 3Cube Property Solutions
