WDB 25^th Anniversary Celebratory Dialogue:
‘making poverty history’

South Africa remains seriously challenged by the developmental issues of poverty, unemployment and inequality. The central theme of the dialogue, “Making Poverty History”, arises from the recognition that the crisis identified by the WDB in 1991 remains today. In some rural areas, poverty is deepening. The Oxfam Report of August 2015 says South Africa has one of the highest official unemployment rates in the world, at 25%, and is one of the most unequal countries, with a Gini coefficient of 0.69. Over half of South Africans live below the poverty line and 10% live in extreme poverty, with less than $1.25 (±R18) per day. Statistics South Africa announced last year that the number of people in South Africa living below the poverty line had increased from 2010 to 2014.  

When we made a call for this Dialogue, we asked, “How do we end poverty and create livelihoods and wealth practically and sustainably?” This panel is intended to update us on the extent of poverty in our country: Who is poor? Where are they? What do we do about changing the situation? We want to know not only what government and business must do, but we especially want ideas and strategies on what women themselves must do to hasten their own inclusion in the economy.  Women must be agents of their own history.

Moderator: Ms Iman Rapetti

• Prof. Muhammad Yunus: Nobel Laureate, Founder: Grameen Bank, Chairman: Yunus Centre (Video)
• Prof. Jonannes Petrus Landman: Independent Analyst
• Mr Pali Lehohla, Statistician General, Statistics South Africa
• Ms Fatima Shabodien: ActionAid Country Director, South Africa
• Ms Christabel Phiri: Mobilisation & Engagement Manager, Southern African Trust
• Dr Mamphela Ramphele
• Dr Vuyo Mahlati: Principal Consultant, Financial Group

The 25th Anniversary of WDB Trust coincides with the 60th anniversary of the historic Women’s March, which paved the way for women’s post-apartheid agenda. Our aim for this panel is not to look back, but rather to celebrate the achievements of all South African women. Ours is a new march towards the AU Vision 2063, as well as to meet the targets set down in the UN Sustainable Development Goals to 2030.
The Women’s March laid the groundwork for the women in this country to enter into government, the diplomatic arena and break glass ceilings in the business world. The inspiring women who have agreed to be on this panel have shown us that women can do business and still have it all, with families, children and grandchildren. They have done it with integrity, grace and without losing the feminine touch.

Moderator: Dr Thandi Ndlovu, CEO – Motheo Construction Group

• Ms Gloria Tomato Serobe: Founder and Executive Director, Wiphold Holdings
• Ms Daphne Mashile-Nkosi: Chief Executive Officer of Kalagadi Manganese
• Ms Irene Charnley: Chief Executive Officer, Smile Communication
• Ms Faith Khanyile: Chief Executive Officer & Founder Member, WDB Investment Holdings
• Ms Nonkululeko Gobodo: Chief Executive Officer, Nonkululeko Leadership Consultancy

According to the World Bank: “With access to financial services (bank accounts, loans, etc.), women’s bargaining power in society increases.”

Evidence abounds that women are disproportionately more financially excluded than men. The exclusion is worse among rural women than urban women. This is one of the main challenges to women’s success in entrepreneurship and business development. In the same vein, women’s access to and control of productive assets is important for their entry into markets and their success as entrepreneurs.

Women still face cultural barriers that place men as household decision-makers. Some formal financial institutions even require that men endorse the financial decisions taken by their spouses for the decision to become binding. Although legislation may be reformed, there are still many cultural barriers, such as making the transfer of property to women difficult.  In this panel, we examine the financial inclusion of women across the board and across the various sectors.

Moderator: Ms Siki Mgabadeli

• Ms Raksha Singh Semnarayan, Sen GM: Market Conduct Division, Banking Association South African
• Ms Yvonne Radinku: Siyakhula Programme Executive, WDB Trust
• Mrs Mavis Makukule: WDB Micro-Finance First Borrower
• Ms Modula Mofolo: Private Equity Executive, WDB Investment Holdings
• Ms Nomsa Daniels: Executive Director, New Faces New Voices
• Ms Donna Rachelson: Chief Executive Officer, Seed Academy

As we celebrate the achievements of women in post-apartheid South Africa, it is important that we acknowledge and reflect on the challenges that women in leadership encounter in their quest to efficiently manage the offices in which they hold these high positions. Thus, as the Women’s Movement, we have actively campaigned for women’s ascension to high office, yet at times without providing them with significant support platforms or systems to keep them going, especially during difficult times.

This Anniversary Dialogue seeks to share lessons learnt from those who have held such high public office; we ask how they have managed the challenges encountered. We need to collectively determine sustainable strategic measures that will ensure that they are fully supported in their positions – especially when the going gets tough. This panel should help propose to us acceptable and sustainable support systems and share learnings from good and bad times, embracing the best ways of supporting the next generation of women leaders.

Moderator: PROF PUMLA DINEO GQOLA

• Ms Brigalia Bam: SAWID Trustee (Setting the scene)
• Commissioner Riah Phiyega
• Dr Mamphela Ramphele
• Adv Thuli Madonsela: Public Protector
• Ms Dolly Mokgatle: Executive Director
• Ms Khanyisile Kweyama
• Ms Nomonde Mapetla

RESPONDENTS

• Prof Cheryl Hendricks: ‎Professor in Political Science at the University of Johannesburg
• Ms Mpho Letlape: Vice-President of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) South Africa

The plenary panels are expected to set the scene for the main Dialogue topics: “Making Poverty History” and “Financial Inclusion of Women”.

Facilitators have been identified to make inputs on the remaining topics: i.e. students in dialogue; small enterprise development; grassroots leadership; and women, land and agriculture. Commissions 7 & 8 are special and have specific agendas that have already been defined for those participating.

The main aim of the commissions is to ensure that there is maximum participation by all participants in the deliberations of the Dialogue. Each commission must give specific consideration to the position of women in relation to the subject discussed and make recommendations to ensure maximum women’s participation and emancipation. Identified facilitators will make presentations to the commission on their allocated topic. After their input, clarifications can be addressed.

Discussions should focus on strategies for empowering women and recommending action plans and resolutions for presentation, discussion and adoption towards a final declaration at the closing plenary session on 15th July
Commission 1: Financial Inclusion of Women
Commission 2: Making Poverty History
Commission 3: South African Students in Dialogue
Commission 4: Small Business/Enterprise Development
Commission 5: Huairou Commission/Support for Grassroots Women
Commission 6: Women, Land and Agriculture
Commission 7: South African Women in Dialogue
Commission 8: Fatema Mernissi Commission

TRAINING WORKSHOPS SESSION

A lesson learned from the SAWID DIALOGUES is that many women, having spent a couple of days together and away from home, wanted to have something to take home, e.g. information or a skill.  We have therefore created a marketplace of women-focused training workshops, many of which are related to micro-enterprise, agriculture, financial inclusion and financial literacy.  Others are addressing gender-based violence and family law.

Wikipedia says a training workshop is a type of interactive training in which participants carry out a number of training activities rather than passively listen to a lecture or presentation.  Broadly, there are two types of workshops: a general workshop is put on for a mixed audience and a closed workshop is tailored towards meeting the training needs of a specific group.  We have catered largely for a mixed audience, even though the student workshop is specific.  We hope that you will find a worthy “take-away” for yourself.