A Gambia River journey took this writer to the depths of a region rich with wildlife, culture and world heritage sites.



By Ramdas Iyer



Upstream from the Atlantic and not too far from the banks of the Gambia River, I was standing amidst a concentration of 11 circles of 200 megalith stones erected more than a thousand years ago, mostly for burial purposes. The Wassu Circle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Africa’s greatest anthropological and archaeological puzzles; the stones are all that remain of what must have undoubtedly been a great and sophisticated culture.



Sailing from the mouth of the Gambia River, I embarked on a journey of 300km to the interior from the Atlantic coast at Banjul, formerly Bathurst, the capital city, to observe a land defined by the river and ravaged by the Atlantic slave trade. One of the smaller countries of Africa, it is a strip of land 450km long and 25km to 50km wide on either side of the river. The Gambia River is a major river in West Africa, running 1,120km from north Guinea westward through Senegal and The Gambia to the Atlantic Ocean. It is only navigable for about half that length.



In Banjul, I was particularly impressed by the local museum, cramped but with memorabilia from the colonial era, including a passenger ticket from Bathurst to Liverpool on the MV Apapa. It also houses an impressive collection of masks, musical instruments and Yoruba artifacts. I got an opportunity to purchase some of the African art, mostly from Mali, Ghana and Nigeria at the Royal Albert market, a great place to observe and mingle with the local population.



A few hours sailing from Banjul brought me to St. James Island in the middle of the river. Under British presence since 1651, it became an important slave trading post in The Gambia. In 1976, St. James Island became famous due to Alex Haley’s bestseller book Roots and the story of a slave, called Kunta Kinte.



The island was renamed Kunta Kinteh Island and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I had taken a copy of the book with me and identifying the areas in the book with an actual visit was quite emotional.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="415" height="188" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sometime1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-57986" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sometime1.png 415w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sometime1-300x136.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 415px) 100vw, 415px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by Ramdas Iyer</figcaption></figure></div>


Each day, we used motorized pirogues to reach the fishing villages or to enjoy the beautiful Bao Bolong wetland reserves that boast over 250 species of birds. Adjacent to these wetlands is the large Kiang West National Park where I went on an all-day foot safari. Lions have long been extinct in The Gambia, along with the other animals in the Big Five. But a diverse presence of hyenas, leopards, spitting cobras and pythons made for an interesting outing. Further upstream, we arrived at the bustling Gambian port town of Kuntaur, the last inland stop along the river that is navigable for ocean-going vessels like mine.



Walking around town and its adjoining villages revealed the importance of peanuts as the chief cash crop of The Gambia. Not too far from Kuntaur, I was excited to visit a quintet of uninhabited islands that constitute the Gambia National River Park.



The southernmost, Baboon Island , is the home of the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project established by American anthropologist Janis Carter in 1979, to provide a home for chimpanzees released from the laboratories of the western world. Over 100 of these primates live on these islands where no one is allowed to set foot except scientists. I photographed several of the apes including younger generations that are now free in a land where they had become extinct a century ago. At this point in the protected river, one could see a plethora of wildlife including hippos, crocodiles, and the red colobus and green vervet monkeys. 



At the Kuntaur pier, we were met by the ‘Kankurang’ and a local dance group. Believed to have spiritual powers, the Kankurang dispense justice and ward off evil spirits.



I tired dancing with the Mandinka women and the Kankurang at the pier to the sound of drums and whistles. With local river pilots familiar with the topography of the river bottom, we made our way back to Banjul.



Gambians, who still suffer economically from the ravages of slavery four centuries ago, showed me that poverty alone cannot destroy the human spirit and the ability to deliver a sparkling smile.

sometime12

Wondrous Waters: A Gambia River Journey

The beauty industry is growing by leaps and bounds, and as data says, so also the demand for minimally invasive aesthetic treatments in the Middle East and Africa.



This has been good news for Dr Wedu Tose Somolekae, who has become a sought-after expert in Botswana in the field of aesthetic medicine.



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And to think this was not her initial plan.



“When I started medical school in 2011, I dreamed of eventually becoming a pediatrician,” Tose Somolekae says to FORBES AFRICA. “Aesthetic medicine and entrepreneurship were the furthest thing on my mind. Little did I know that a weekend trip to Johannesburg with my friends would change all of that!”



After visiting a clinic in bustling Johannesburg, South Africa, Tose Somolekae immediately began her research on the concept of aesthetics and medicine. Like any millennial, the good doctor took to Instagram to directly speak to other medical aesthetic doctors in the field.



After many obstacles (being stuck in the small village of Masunga, Covid-19 and not enough fees to pay for her dream), Tose Somolekae took the plunge in the beginning of 2021 and resigned from her position as a medical officer in Masunga with a severance package of P50,000 ($380,000).



A move that led to Medi-Glow Aesthetics, the first full-time Medical Aesthetic Practice in Botswana.



“Watching me grow has definitely inspired those around me to chase their dreams and reach for the stars,” Tose Somolekae adds. “The tenacity and determination to introduce something new to the medical and beauty in.



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<h2 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-2023-forbes-under-30-summit-africa">2023 Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa</h2>


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In April 2023, the Under 30 Summit will return to the world’s greatest growth market, Africa. Following the first-ever Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa held in April 2022, the world’s most elite young entrepreneurs and game-changers will again convene in one of the world’s most beautiful countries, Botswana.



Across four days in the country’s capital, Gaborone, we’ll harness the power of entrepreneurial capitalism amid the continent whose growth will help define the 21st century. As with every Under 30 Summit, the social and cultural opportunities will be world-class. You’ll hear from government, venture capital and business role models, providing inspiration for the newest—and next—generation of leaders. We will welcome local performers, chefs and entrepreneurs, allowing us to experience the sounds, cuisine and staples of local culture while engaging in unbeatable networking and pitching opportunities.



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/connect/event/2023-forbes-under-30-summit-africa/?promo=LPAFRICA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Register here</a>

#FORBESAFRICA30Under30 Class of 2023:Meet COVER STAR Dr Wedu Tose Somolekae “Aesthetic medicine and entrepreneurship were the furthest thing on my mind.”

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In 2008, while the world marveled over Facebook, the new fascinating platform that would change the way one approaches mass communication, Mutethia ‘Tesh’ Mbaabu’s only thought about Facebook was: “Who built this platform and what is their background? And how can I do something similar?”



Mbaabu set out to learn everything he could about technology and building startups; he read up biographies and profiles of entrepreneurs and consumed news about top startups across the globe. A vision began to form: he wanted to build something as impactful as Facebook, but specific to Africa.



Which is what led to MarketForce, a B2B commerce platform that empowers over 200,000 neighborhood merchants across five African markets to source, order and pay for inventory, access financing and earn more by reselling financial services in their communities.



He seems to have all the support – judging by the number of people who nominated him for this list.



“What makes you so popular?”



“I think it’s because it’s because I represent a young black African entrepreneur who comes from an average family but who has been able to break into the tech ecosystem and raise funding, which is very hard. And then build a company that operates several African companies.”



“Mutethia&#8217;s story is testament to the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity,” says 2023 30 Under 30 external judge Bright Jaja. “It&#8217;s truly inspiring to see how he has turned his setbacks into opportunities for growth and innovation. In a world where we face so many



challenges, it&#8217;s important to have role models who demonstrate that it&#8217;s possible to make a positive difference and achieve success by pursuing one&#8217;s passions.”



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-2023-forbes-under-30-summit-africa">2023 Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa</h2>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker-1024x538.png" alt="" class="wp-image-57846" width="669" height="351" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker-1024x538.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker-300x158.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker-768x403.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 669px) 100vw, 669px" /></figure></div>


In April 2023, the Under 30 Summit will return to the world’s greatest growth market, Africa. Following the first-ever Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa held in April 2022, the world’s most elite young entrepreneurs and game-changers will again convene in one of the world’s most beautiful countries, Botswana.



Across four days in the country’s capital, Gaborone, we’ll harness the power of entrepreneurial capitalism amid the continent whose growth will help define the 21st century. As with every Under 30 Summit, the social and cultural opportunities will be world-class. You’ll hear from government, venture capital and business role models, providing inspiration for the newest—and next—generation of leaders. We will welcome local performers, chefs and entrepreneurs, allowing us to experience the sounds, cuisine and staples of local culture while engaging in unbeatable networking and pitching opportunities.



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/connect/event/2023-forbes-under-30-summit-africa/?promo=LPAFRICA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">REGISTER HERE</a>

#FORBESAFRICA30Under30 Class of 2023: Meet COVER STAR Mutethia Mbaabu“…build a company that operates several African companies.”

Molly Jensen’s dream is to build the largest library of African audio stories.



By Alastair Hagger



Tune into the frequency of African radio and the signal is clear – no other medium has reached more people on this continent or resonated more deeply. From the earliest broadcasts in 1920s South Africa to the post-colonial, continent-wide explosion in radio services in the 1960s, to the establishment of the first private commercial station in Burkina Faso in 1987, Africa has long been wired for sound.



But the reach of the airwaves has never been matched by the depth of revenue streams enjoyed by radio stations abroad. Into this aural breach steps the podcast – a medium set to re-dial Africa’s relationship with the broadcast word from passive to thrillingly proactive.



Molly Jensen is CEO of Afripods, a free pan-African podcast hosting platform based in Nairobi.



“My vision is to build the largest library of African audio stories on the planet,” she says.



“We have created an advertising funnel for audio on-demand content, and built a robust library of stories, categorized in up to 50 languages, from the continent and diaspora. We focus on the technical infrastructure, which positions us as the leading platform capturing market share in the region.”



Though Africa’s internet access is the least affordable in the world, according to the AIA (Affordable Internet Alliance), rapid and inevitable network evolution and improvement is already positioning the podcast as an irresistible opportunity for advertisers and creators alike.



“Podcasting is still very much in its infancy on the continent, and advertisers are still learning how to quantify the value of a highly niched group of people and their audiences,” says Jensen. “But an ecosystem like podcasting, which is based on orated content, taps into generations of storytelling, modernizing it in digital communities. The impact of audio-first media cannot be overstated, and podcasting is an exciting extension.”



This ecosystem is growing exponentially as influencers expand into new verticals, and festival and platform pioneers such as Africa Podfest, SemaBOX, Gold Coast Report, The Podcast Sessions and APVA (The Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists) create dynamic new synergies.



“It’s exciting to see vernacular content grow, because it sheds a light on the rich diversity of Africa, as mother tongues become less common, with podcasting being used as a vehicle to memorialize culture,” she says. “And we are also at an interesting moment in history where Africa is no longer just consuming the narrative of what is cool, but creating it – and exporting culture to a global stage.”

Molly Jensen, photo by Marcus Olang’

The Resonant Rise Of The African Podcast

By Tshilidzi Marwala



As the twentyseventh session of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) unfolded in Egypt in November 2022, it became a signifier of Africa taking climate change into its own hands. The continent has often been placed on the back burner of other nations.



Yet, it is no secret that climate change has impacted Africa the most, even though its contribution to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions is less than 5%. As the African Development Bank states, this is because of the continent’s relatively low adaptive capability, caused by financial and technological weaknesses, and an over-dependence on rain-fed agriculture.



In fact, in September 2022, the State of the Climate in Africa 2021 UN report revealed the convergence of climate shocks that plague Africa. For example, 2021 Africa experienced at least the fourth warmest year on record. It is expected that by 2030, between 108-116 million people in Africa will be threatened by rising sea levels.



Furthermore, the drought in East Africa is worsening, whereas North Africa is experiencing extreme heat. In the past 50 years, drought has claimed the lives of over half a million people and this resulted in $70 billion economic losses. Furthermore, there has been a 34% reduction in agricultural productivity growth since 1961 as a result of increased temperatures. Therefore, climate change is a significant driver of displacement on the African continent and currently, only 40% of people are covered by MultiHazard Early Warning Systems. Resounding cries from young activists that the future was being stripped from Africa were heard beyond the doors of COP27 – a necessary and powerful call to action as the conference began. The first ‘African COP’ since 2016 represented a rewriting of the continent’s narrative as African nations made a case for climate justice.



As Absa’s Group Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer Punki Modise phrased it: “COP27 marked a necessary – and overdue – concession to pragmatism and the recognition that if we are to effectively mitigate the impact of climate change at a global scale we need to slowly reframe climate issues, especially in the context of human dignity.” The impact of this shift was tangible.



Towards the end of November, the conference closed with a breakthrough agreement to reframe and create new funding avenues for vulnerable countries hit hard by climate disasters. New funding arrangements will be established alongside a dedicated “loss and damage” fund to assist developing countries. Additionally, a transitional committee was established to make recommendations on how to roll out funding, with the first meeting expected in March this year. 



The Santiago Network will accompany funding for Loss and Damage deployment to offer technical assistance to these nations.



Of course, as history has demonstrated, the implementation and fulfilment of pledges always fall short of what is needed for the world to deal decisively with climate change. It remains to be seen whether the money will flow – and whether this will be accompanied by necessary commitments from developed nations to phase out fossil fuels and curb the damage it has inflicted over the years.



In reframing the African narrative on climate change, however, there has also been a shift away from solely relying on the Global North to fulfil its commitments. The launch of the African Climate Risk Facility created by 85 insurers in the continent to protect against droughts, floods and tropical cyclones by providing climate risk insurance, represents Africa taking climate action into its own hands. The facility is a $14 billion local market-based funding tool to help African countries increase the resilience of their vulnerable communities.



This speaks to the argument made in the aftermath of COP26 in 2021 for localized solutions and inherently reframes the continent’s ability to respond when disaster hits in response to the often unfulfilled commitments of the Global North.



COP27 has been a valuable exercise in reaffirming developed nations’ commitments to vulnerable and less developed nations – a vital tool for tackling climate change and reframing the continent’s position. The messaging is clear: the Global North must continue acknowledging its role and providing funding and support, but Africa should no longer plead but take matters into its own hands.

Protest during the UN climate summit in Egypt

Climate Change Action Is A Necessity Africa Cannot Ignore, Anymore

Rwanda’s mining ambitions will soon be met as a result of increasing, and systematic, investment in productivity, exploration and value addition.



Last year, mineral exports were Rwanda’s largest foreign exchange earner, bringing in close to $800 million compared to just over $400 million in 2019. This huge jump in earnings was due to two main factors.



First, owing to increased mines productivity and mineral value addition through enhanced investment, overall export of minerals increased last year to 18, 658 tons from 7,343 tons in 2019.



Second, the increase in global commodity prices of coltan, to $48.82 per kilo in 2022 compared to $33.7 per kilo in 2019. Similarly, cassiterite prices doubled from $9.7 per kilo to $17.3 in the same period.



Rwanda has a long history of mining. The very first instances of mineral exploration took place between 1920-1930 when a team from UMH (Union Minière du Haut Katanga) sent a Belgian team to carry out geological studies. Following successful exploration, two companies MINETAIN (Ruanda-Urundi Tin Mines Company) and SOMUKI (Muhinga-Kigali Mining Company) started mining activities in 1934.



Following independence in 1962, further exploration took place between 1968 and 2020. Using geological mapping, airborne surveys and geochemistry, Rwanda was found to have deposits of wolfram, cassiterite, gold, colombo-tantalite, lithium, beryl, rare earth minerals and various gemstones. More focused investment is being planned to determine the minerals resources of country for de-risking mining investment.



While Rwanda is moving in the right direction in terms of mining revenues, there is still a long way to go before we reach the target set of $1.5 billion by 2024 as set out in the National Strategy for Transformation.



Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board is working with the private sector to invest in modern mining techniques and equipment. As a result, we intend to recover between 60%-80% as compared to only 40% using less efficient and rudimentary tools.



By investing in refining and smelting, Rwanda has been able to add value to the ores that it mines as well as the by-products have created even more value. For example, Gasabo Gold Refinery at the Kigali Special Economic Zone, refines raw gold and also sells silver as a by-product. Similarly, Luna Tin Smelter located in Karuruma processes cassiterite and also sells coltan as a by-product. POWER- X coltan refinery has started to refine coltan ore and separate tantalum and niobium.



As a regulator, Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board is working closely with the mining industry to ensure best practices in terms of safety and environmental protection. We also partner with the University of Rwanda and Rutongo School of Mining at Rwanda Polytechnics, as well as vocational training institutions, to increase the number of mining professionals in the country.



Traceability is an important aspect of the mining sector and that is why we partner with ITSCI (ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative) and BSP (Better Sourcing Program) to guarantee that Rwanda’s minerals are conflict-free.



The steps that Rwanda is taking are creating a modern, viable mining industry. In addition to its mineral potential, the progress that Rwanda has registered in terms of ease of doing business, transparent regulatory frameworks, security of persons and property, political stability, stable electricity, and zero tolerance for corruption makes Rwanda an attractive regional destination for mining and mineral processing.



The world is at the beginning of a green-energy revolution. And with soaring global demand for the technology metals i.e., tin, tungsten, coltan and Lithium, Rwanda is set to become a player in ore production and we are working to become mining hub, focusing on processing and trading.



Rwanda’s mining journey has been a long and difficult one, but with the right focus, strategy and investments, we are confident that the sector will continue to grow and make valuable contributions to our economy.



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By Amb. Yamina Karitanyi, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board

RMB Site visit to Piran Musha

Why Rwanda’s Mining Sector Is Poised For Even More Growth As Commodity Prices Continue To Rise

By Gary Martin 



It came with a snazzy new title, a salary rise big enough to starve off the impact of the spiraling cost of living, a corner office to die for and the promise of an engaging and supportive work environment.



Yet just one month into your new job, you realize you have been sold a pup as you come down with a bad case of “shift shock”. You desperately want to boomerang back to your old job but fear you might have slammed the office door shut a little too hard when walking out on your former employer.



As employees continue to jump from one job to the next to try to jag better pay and working conditions, more and more workers are discovering that the grass is not always greener on the other side.



Shift shock, also known as ‘quitter’s remorse’ or ‘new job regret’, is washing over those who have switched jobs only to find their new position is not living up to their expectations.



There is little doubt that plenty of workers are happy in their new jobs.



Yet for others, the grass on the other side is less green. Some job hoppers have discovered that the grass they have strayed onto is fake lawn. Despite assurances to the contrary, flexible work arrangements are rigid, the work environment frenetic rather than relaxed and open doors to managers are slammed shut.



Others have worked out that their fresh patch of lawn is exactly the same color as the old one. Their new role comes complete with the same feelings of dismay, disengagement, disappointment and disaffection that accompanied their old gig. Perhaps worse, some job switchers fast realize their new lawn requires even more water to maintain as their old patch – a metaphor for a new job that is even more demanding than the old one.



And many will be only too familiar with a scenario in which their new lawn starts out lush and well-manicured before slowly turning brown.



Under these circumstances, the rot sets in as they are drip-fed the harsh realities of a workplace culture beset by harassment, bullying and gossip. Those who job-hop can quickly find themselves sinking in quicksand rather than strolling across a patch of thriving, perfect-looking lawn.



No matter the depth of your due diligence or the length of an interview process, it will remain a gamble.



You will be spinning the roulette wheel on things like whether the new job makes adequate use of your existing skills, offers the development opportunities you have been seeking and provides the longer-term career path you had been hoping for.



While a little shift shock is to be expected until you find your feet in a new role, experts suggest the majority of those suffering from quitter’s remorse will last less than three months with a new employer.



For those who accept a new job only to find it is a poor personal fit or an oversold opportunity, three choices remain. You can stay with your new job and remain disillusioned indefinitely, look for another more suitable job or try to boomerang back to your former boss.



Boomeranging to an old position is increasingly attractive for those suffering from shift shock. This assumes, of course, they left their former employer on good terms and their old job or a similar role is available.



While asking for an old job back might be ego-bruising for some, capable former employees have little to fear.



Many former employees find themselves welcomed back with open arms. Some are even able to negotiate better employment conditions.



Employers acknowledge that where vacancies do exist, hiring a boomerang worker can save recruitment and on boarding costs because most former returning employees can hit the ground running.



There is a message in all of this for those workers contemplating a switch in jobs.



If there is something in your current role that you would like to change or improve, consider discussing it with your employer first before you exit the office door. It is a whole lot simpler than making a move and then hoping for a second chance when opportunities elsewhere do not turn out as planned.



So if you are thinking of jumping the fence to find a new and greener patch of grass, try watering the side you are on first before making the move.



– The writer is Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Management WA

Business colleagues in meeting discussing project

Op-Ed: Shift Shock Pushes Workers Back To Their Old Jobs

With increasing expectations and pressure to be at the top of their game, individual sportspeople are hit the hardest when it comes to mental health issues. Is there more support now than before?



By Nick Said



Mental health in sports has become a hot topic after some high-profile incidents in recent years in which competitors at the very top of their game have taken a step back in order to safeguard their own well-being.



It begs the question, are we putting sportspeople under increasing pressure with our demands as fans over their performance, or have these issues always been there and it is simply a case of individuals being more willing to talk about, and confront, their fears?



Rugby players Michael Hooper and Sbu Nkosi, swimmer Michael Phelps, gymnast Simone Biles, and tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, among many others, have all admitted to mental health issues in the last few years.



Their troubles are the tip of the iceberg, but instead of enduring their inner struggles, they have chosen to speak out and take a step back from their sport.



Dr Jannie Botha is a world-renowned psychologist who has worked with a number of sports teams and individuals to help them deal with the scrutiny of being in the public eye and always under pressure to perform.



He has been contracted by South African Rugby and the Blue Bulls, local soccer sides Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, as well golfers, and Olympic medal-winning athletes and swimmers.



“People are now more open when it comes to speaking about how they feel,” Botha tells FORBES AFRICA.



“In the past they had to simply survive in their ‘bubble’ and the environment they were in, where they were mentally not well but couldn’t do anything about it.



“They were seen as such heroes that they felt they couldn’t show emotion. A ‘cowboys don’t cry’ kind of thing. But that was the past, it has changed a lot.”



Dr Botha believes individual sportspeople are hit the hardest, often without the support around them to see them through the tough times.



In a team environment there is often a shoulder to cry on.



“There is a difference. In an individual sport, my mental capacity is my own support. In a team environment, my mental capacity is my teammates’ support,” he says.



“You can hide it much longer in a team situation and endure it for much longer with teammates around you.



“You can function much longer in a team sport because your team carries you, but for individuals, there is not that support, so it is more severe.”



Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka has been one of the most high-profile individuals to speak out in recent times, saying she struggled with constantly being in the media glare.



“I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and have had a really hard time coping with that,” she said last year.



“It was important to me to be public because I think it gives me clarity. Just saying out loud that I’ll take a break and I’ll come back when I am truly in love with the sport and I know what I want to do here; it gave me time to reset myself.”



Hooper, one of the leading stars in rugby and long time captain of the Australian national team, quit the side abruptly while on tour in Argentina last year, saying he needed a break from the sport just hours before he was due to play.



“I’ve been playing the game for a long time, had some great changes in my life and there were a lot of things running through my head showing up in Argentina, and Argentina wasn’t the place where I needed to (be to) sort these things out,” Hooper later said.



“I wanted to be around family. I wanted to be in a place where I could put the time in to those things that I needed to put in. As a younger man, I viewed asking for help as, I guess, a bit of a weakness. You want to feel like you have it all worked out and I certainly didn’t.”



Hooper returned to the side months later, but Dr Botha says the player’s feelings are typical.



“The problem is that because in a sense they believe they live in a bubble, which the media creates for them, they struggle to function in normal life. That bubble gives them a bit of security, even if it is false.”



Dr Botha adds that with players expected to perform weekly in what has turned into a 12-month season, both in individual and team sports, that pressure builds.



“The expectations (from fans) have not changed, even though the seasons have got longer,” he says. “They are playing all year round now and the public does not see that, they just want performance week after week. It has changed the dynamics completely.”



South Africa had its own recent case of a player withdrawing from the public eye when Bulls wing Sbu Nkosi went missing for three weeks, leading to such alarm that a missing person case was opened with the police.



He was eventually found at the home of his father in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province and said it had been a build-up of mental pressure over time that saw him take his leave of absence and cut himself off from the world.



“It’s just been a whole lot of mental pressure. It’s been building up for a couple of years now,” he told Sport24. “I was just trying to keep myself calm. That’s been a battle. I’m at a point where I need to prioritize the person before the rugby player.



“I just needed time. I’ve basically been curled up in a ball with my dad, and he’s been managing my mental state daily. 



“I’ve had plenty teammates and I can tell you, not everyone is okay. It’s a tough environment.” But Dr Botha does believe that sportspeople are at least receiving more support than a decade ago. “There is much more awareness, I can see that in the last 10 years,” he says. “Especially in team sports, there is much more focus on helping people in need. Most of the big teams have psychologists working for them now and that is a big positive.”

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Off-Field Battles: How Do African Sports Stars Handle Mental Health Issues

The latest in automotive technology that’s rolling out, even cars with facial expressions and that you can talk to.



By Nafisa Akabor



Imagine a car that can speak to you, express moods and emotions, change its color, display your avatar on the window and automatically open the door when you approach?



We are not talking about a science fiction movie; this is what we experienced first-hand at the CES 2023 tech event and consumer technology show in Las Vegas in the first week of the new year. This is how it is inside BMW’s new retro futuristic i Vision Dee concept electric car that was unveiled at CES, where CEO Oliver Zipse explained: “It is our vision of pushing the boundaries between physical and digital perception.” “Dee embodies the next level of human machine interaction, a concept that cannot be simply dismissed as science fiction because it will inspire our neue klasse,” said Zipse, referring to BMW’s new class of vehicles coming in 2025.



Despite its retro look, the EV highlighted the technology inside the car. Its name Dee refers to a ‘digital emotional experience’.



It seeks to be your companion by talking to you in natural language; expressing moods like joy, approval, or astonishment; and displaying nine facial expressions through the closed-off kidney grille.



Other cutting-edge tech experienced was as an advanced head-up display that takes over the entire windshield; a mixed reality slider that goes through a range of analogue and digital experiences; and an on-demand color changing E Ink exterior that supports 32 colors. 



Once inside, it feels like you have entered another dimension. Experiencing the metaverse shuts you out from reality – the windows dim to transform into a magical world taking up most of the front of the vehicle. It will be interesting to see how BMW translates it into real world usage.



EVs took center-stage at CES 2023 and manufacturers were given considerably more floor space than before.



Another brand hoping to tap into our emotions is Sony Honda Mobility, with its ‘Afeela’ concept. CEO Yasuhide Mizuno explains:



“Afeela represents our concept of an interactive relationship where people feel the sensation of interactive mobility and where mobility can detect and understand people and society by utilizing sensing and AI technologies.



It has a unique “media bar” on the front bumper that displays vehicle name, and other information like the weather or the car’s charging status. Its purpose is to connect with people outside the car.



The Afeela leverages Snapdragon’s digital chassis for key features like telematics, advanced driver assistance system and infotainment. It is kitted with 45 sensors and cameras and will have 800 TOPS (tera operations per second) of maximum computing power for its self-driving technology.



Inside is a full width dash screen from side to side, and screens for back passengers. There will be a huge focus on entertainment thanks to its partnership with Fortnite creator Epic Games.



There were also hints that it could support PlayStation games.



The joint venture between two of the largest Japanese tech and auto companies promises the vehicle will make it to production and go on sale in North America in 2026. Meanwhile, Peugeot went all out with its Inception concept EV that has a feline-like stance with sharp angles and straight lines.



Boasting 500kW of power, the Inception has a 100kWh battery with dual electric motors that promises 800km of range from a single charge. It will support 225kW charging speeds and is equipped for wireless induction charging. It will go from 0-100km/h in less than three seconds. 



Inside is its next-gen i-Cockpit with a ‘Hypersquare’ steering wheel that has touch controls on its four corners.



Without removing your hands from the wheel, you can access climate, navigation, multimedia, etc. It supports level 4 autonomous driving and when activated, the Hypersquare retracts into the dashboard and a screen slides up from the floor. All very futuristic, and again, it will be interesting to see what makes it to production on Peugeot’s upcoming EVs.



While Mercedes-Benz didn’t unveil any new vehicles, it displayed its Vision EQXX EV concept that promises over 1,200km of range from a single charge. It is also regarded as the most efficient EV, consuming 8.3kWh per 100km. It demoed the car on the streets of Las Vegas and made a bunch of announcements about where it’s headed.



It is the first company in the US to receive regulatory approval for level 3 autonomous driving, coming to Nevada and California in 2023.



Level 3 allows the vehicle to drive on its own for up to 60km/h speeds. Mercedes will also roll out EV charging stations at ultra-high speeds of 350kW, starting in the US, with other markets to follow. Its plan is to have over 10 000 high-powered chargers rolled out globally by the end of the decade.



For an improved in-car sound experience, it partnered with Apple Music and Universal Music Group to offer spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, the first non-Apple device to do so.



Volkswagen showed off the electric ID.7, which has been rebranded from a previous ID.Aero concept revealed in China. It is the company’s first electric sedan, following a hatchback, three SUVs and a van.



The ID.7 has a smart camouflage exterior that lights up and changes color to match the rhythm from a sound system. It features 40 layers of paint and has 22 areas that can be controlled individually. The vehicle promises up to 700km of range from a single charge and will be one of 10 EVs that VW will launch by 2026.



Other features include a 15-inch screen, an augmented reality headup display, smart air vents and the ability to talk to the car. If you say, “hello Volkswagen, my hands are cold”, it will switch on the heated steering wheel and direct warm air to your hands.



CES remains a playground for prototypes that may or may not make it to production, but the emphasis on EVs was hard to miss. It’s only a matter of time before we see some of these technologies come to life, with some already showing promise.

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Cars With Feelings: Forbes Africa In The Driving Seat

Focus is now quickly switching to the African nations taking part in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Key to Banyana Banyana’s chances is livewire goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.



By Nick Said



The recent World Cup in Qatar has been a massive boost for African football and provided a newfound respect for the game on the continent from a skeptical watching world. Morocco’s historic run to the semifinals was coupled with victory for Tunisia over France, and Cameroon against Brazil, results that stunned fans across the globe. Focus will quickly now switch to the African nations who will take part in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be staged in Australia and New Zealand, where South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria and Morocco will carry the hopes of the continent. 



For Banyana Banyana, it is a second successive visit to the global showpiece competition, having debuted in France in 2019, where they were placed on a steep learning curve but will have taken much from that experience into this latest edition.



They have a bit of a horror draw in the group stage though. Sweden were runners-up at the 2003 World Cup and have won bronze on three other occasions, including last time out in France.



They have also won the silver medal at the last two Olympic Games.



Italy are ranked number 17 in the world and were quarterfinalists four years ago, though perhaps Banyana midfielder Refiloe Jane, who has been based in that country for the last few years, will be able to add some insight.



Argentina are appearing at a fourth World Cup but have yet to get past the group stages, so may be the team Banyana should target. They are ranked 29 in the world, still well ahead of South Africa’s 54.



Key to Banyana’s chances is livewire goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, 30, now a veteran of the side having made her debut back in 2011.



“Our group is a very tough one, but we are also a tough team to beat,” she tells FORBES AFRICA confidently. “We are fighting for women’s football in Africa.”



Dlamini was a star as South Africa won the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a maiden continental gold medal, and says this is a team very much on the up.



“We told ourselves we wanted to win the Afcon and we did that. We are in a good space mentally, even if we know it is going to be a tough World Cup. Those three teams have a whole lot more experience in their squad with players who play professionally day in and day out.



“We haven’t had a professional league in our country, but our mentality is in the right space and we do the extra work needed to pick up a little bit [more quality]. One thing I can promise, it is not going to be easy for anyone in the group.”



Dlamini understands that it is not just about competing for a trophy at the World Cup. Especially in Africa, it means so much more.



“We will perform to the best of our abilities because we know there is that girl child watching and saying, ‘I want to be a Banyana player one day’. We are going to the World Cup to show that child what is possible.



“We know this is true, because being at the World Cup in 2019 changed not only how aspiring soccer players saw us, but also brands. We saw sponsors come forward and want to be involved in women’s football.



“Being seen there encourages that young girl or boy from the hood to say, ‘it is possible.



If Andile has done it, then so can I. Even without the best facilities or equipment, I can do it’. We want to show those young children that football can change your life.”



Banyana will be based in Wellington in New Zealand during the pool phase and open their campaign against Sweden on July 23.



“Performing at that huge stage encourages you as a footballer,” Dlamini says. “You don’t want to disappoint those people who have always supported you. I take motivation from that.”

Women’s International Friendly: South Africa v Brazil

All Set To Goal: Africa At Women’s World Cup

Monitoring populations of the great ape in the thick equatorial rain forests of Gabon, one of the most carbon-positive countries in the world. 



By Ramdas Iyer 



Walking behind four machete-wielding villagers in the thick of equatorial rain forest in Gabon, I was participating in the unusual experience of preparing for a western lowland gorilla habituation project. Here we were creating multiple transect lines running over four kilometers through the forest; a well-established scientific methodology for estimating ape population size. 



“Monitoring populations of gorillas is a necessary protocol prior to establishing a habituation program. Camera traps and GPS locators along the transects will eventually give us an idea of the group density in the area,” says Antonio Anoro of Gabon Untouched, a conservation and eco-tourism organization, who, alongside researchers from the Research Institute for Tropical Ecology (IRET), is spearheading the habituation of wild lowland gorillas in the buffer zone next to the Moukalaba-Doudou National Park which covers an area of 1,700 square miles.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Large expanses of tropical rainforest in western Africa have been cleared, logged, and overhunted in recent decades. In contrast, extensive forest in Gabon has survived in an intact condition because the country has a sparse population and substantial petroleum and mineral deposits that have reduced the economic pressure on forests.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The Gabonese government is eager to consider alternative strategies to augment economic development, including promotion of an ecotourism industry. This commitment is evidenced by the government&#8217;s designation of 13 national parks that comprise over a tenth of the country&#8217;s land area. Gabonese forests have among the highest levels of species diversity and endemism in tropical Africa and are likely to play a critical future role in biodiversity conservation.&nbsp;



Gabon Untouched supports sustainable tourism by bringing eco-tourists into deep jungle to observe first-hand, lowland gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorillas were first habituated for human observation and scientific research by Kyoto University scientists 20 years ago at Moukalaba-Doudou National Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The steady influx of tourist funds has helped economically sustain the local village of Doussala and gorilla research activities. By habituating a second group of gorillas, we not only protect the forest, home for great apes, but also provide a sustainable livelihood for the locals,” says Anoro, who has worked tirelessly for eight years in Gabon for conservation efforts.&nbsp;



This month, in March, Gabon hosted the ‘One Forest’ Summit attended by Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, French President Emmanuel Macron and other heads of state, to highlight the environmental role and value of rain forests.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Forests potentially represent 20-30 percent of the solution to climate change,&#8221; Gabon&#8217;s Minister of Water and Forestry and conservationist Lee White, said in opening remarks. The host nation, Gabon, became the first African nation to be recompensed through carbon credits for protecting its forests.&nbsp;



Gabon &#8220;absorbs around 100 million tons of CO2 per year&#8230;three tons every second,&#8221; White told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting. &#8220;We are well on the way to becoming a sustainable economy.&#8221;&nbsp;

Gorilla conservation in Gabon; photo by Ramdas Iyer

Gorillas, Conservation And Climate Change In Gabon

Blood and bruises, sweat and fury. Mixed martial arts is gaining popularity in South Africa with home-grown talent fighting to find their place in the continent and beyond.



By Paula Slier Additional reporting by Khaka Ngcofe



For many people, cage-fighting throws up images of gladiators tearing into one another with spears and other weapons. Branded ‘the ultimate fight’, it brings together a range of martial arts.



Introduced to Africa 18 years ago by South African Brad Bloch, fondly referred to as the Godfather of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), this no-holds-barred is a full-contact combat sport. It involves much more than just stepping into a cage.



“People have different skill-sets,” says Bloch, “whether it’s kung fu, karate, boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, sunbi, or whatever. You can’t just have one skill-set in order to fight this fight”.



Dating back to the ancient Greeks, when unarmed combat was first introduced into the Olympic Games in 648 BCE, cage-fighting has always been regarded as the most extreme combat sport. It recently resurfaced in the early 2000s in the United States when an American reality television series, The Ultimate Fighter, gained huge popularity. The show featured daily preparations of fighters and their interactions with each other while they lived under the same roof. It was instrumental to the survival and expansion of the sport into mainstream.



However, for all those who support MMA, there are just as many critics who argue the sport gives fighters much more liberty than professional boxers or judoka. And that’s despite the fact that it has been scientifically proven that a cage is safer than a boxing ring.



“If you’re fighting and get taken down to the ground, the cage supports you,” points out Bloch.



“Your head drops down correctly and rolls down on the surface of the cage. Whereas if you’re in a boxing ring and your head hits the ground, it can sometimes bounce and cause great whiplash. In a cage, you also fall onto the canvas and there’s no chance you can fall outside the cage. In a boxing ring, many people have fallen out of the ring and that’s extremely unsafe.”



Today, MMA is legal in almost all countries around the globe but still some African, European and Asian countries prohibit it.



It remains a hot topic of debate.



“We introduced the sport into Africa through South Africa and had to meet certain conditions to legalize it,” explains Bloch.



“We had to have a big brother company overseas. Since then the growth has been exponential, not only on a professional, but also on an amateur level. Fighters can compete, get their provincial colors and represent their country at the world championship.”



Considered the fastest-growing sport in the world with an estimated 449 million followers, according to International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMF), the global body for MMA, there are only 19 African countries who have legalized it. They include, amongst others, Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia and Zambia.



Audiences are very diverse, often made up of women, men and families.



“I actually think the women shout louder than the men,” laughs Bloch.



“The number of female competitors is growing at a rapid rate globally and is becoming the big thing right now. Women are already referees so there’s no reason why they can’t also fight.”



South African-born Cassandra Le Roux, 25, is a case in point. A six-time undefeated South African champion, she was the All African Champion in 2018 and came third at the world championships in the same year.



A full-time MMA coach and trainer, she was a dancer for a few years before transitioning into the world of MMA.



“I fell in love with the technical side of things. It’s basically educated violence in a nutshell. Although I got into it for self-defence, it didn’t take long before I wanted to experience it as a sport.”



Bloch coached her, encouraging her from an early age to turn competitive.



“At first my mom was like ‘no’, and Brad was like ‘there’s a fight this weekend, you can join’. I was like ‘yeah, but you’re telling my mom’… Only after she saw me locked in the cage was she like ‘you can defend yourself and it makes you happy, so go for it’!” Le Roux was around 14 years old at the time – “super young”, she admits – and because there were so few girls competing, she remembers “it wasn’t a very long fight”. 


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“Most people ask me ‘did you feel that shot?’ And I’m like, ‘no, not really’. Sometimes we go in with some sort of injury and don’t feel like being there at all. But while you’re fighting, and for maybe like an hour afterwards, your adrenaline is so high, it feels like you’re on another planet. At the same time, you’re so calm.”



Le Roux trains a lot with men who she says appreciate and encourage the women fighters. But still, fewer females sign up compared to men.



“Every time you look, there are new people in the gym who want to compete or just train. Sometimes they train and then they fall in love with the sport and they end up competing. Most females start the training but use it more for self-defence than to compete.”



For Le Roux, her sights are firmly on the international stage.



“As long as my body can keep up with my mind, because my mind powers my body to be honest. I hope my body will hold out because I’ve had some injuries over the years.”



Le Roux’s mother, Deidre, has come a long way since her initial misgivings about the sport. She’s now her daughter’s greatest supporter, promoting not only her and other fighters, but also arranging fights across South Africa.



“We try and put on a fight every two months. We’ve got a lot of athletes from Africa who come and fight with us. So the caliber is really high,” she says.



“There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes – the venue, the cage, the medics, doctor, ambulance, two helicopters on standby, medals, paperwork, that kind of thing. It can take six, seven weeks to organize one event. Since Covid ended, there’s been such a response from fighters that we’re having to turn a lot of them away. We can’t have more than 20 fights at an event.”



Most of the fighters call Deidre “Mama D” for her dedication in ensuring that their weight is on track and that they fight only against people in the same weight category. “We have protocols through which we match fighters. They have to be exactly the same weight and you cannot put a development fighter who has never fought anyone before, against somebody who’s had eight fights. The safety precautions are hectic and the rules are the rules.



Before a fight, we have a briefing where all the fighters and coaches go through the rules again. We are extra careful – a fighter’s safety comes first. If a fighter doesn’t know the rules, he or she will not be allowed to fight.”


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Her soft spot is for the women and children.



“We start the babies from five years old until 17. But the five-year-olds, I just want to eat them up because they tear my heart strings apart. I would so like to see their numbers triple. MMA makes people very humble and respectful. Of course you get the odd diva here and there but they’re soon put in their place. I would encourage this sport for parents because it teaches children good values,” adds Deidre.



For founder Bloch, the dream is for cage-fighting to grow exponentially in Africa and for homegrown talent to find its place on the continent.



“I specifically mention Africa because a lot of our champions leave to go fight in America,” he says.



“Africa right now doesn’t have the facilities to train fighters properly and our standards are not high enough for them to compete at a world level. But we have the potential and I predict that soon the sport will explode in Africa.”

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South Africa’s Fight Clubs: The Growing Market for Mixed Martial Arts

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The 50 Over 50 List Of Africa’s Female Powerhouses

Africa is now reclaiming its own stories, and harnessing generations of storytelling craft to reconfigure the ways in which it is represented and perceived.



By Alastair Hagger



Anansi the spider was jealous. When it learned that every story ever told belonged to the sky god Nyame, it longed to have these tales for itself. But Nyame told the spider the stories could never be sold; the price was too high. “Bring me the great python, the mighty leopard, and the ferocious hornets,” laughed Nyame. “In exchange for these gifts, all the stories of the world will be yours.”



Anansi would not be denied, and used its wits and creativity to deliver the sky god its formidable trophies. Now the stories belonged to Anansi. And to Africa.



For centuries the West has understood that to control the narrative was to control history, and to control history was to shape perception. It also learned that if storytelling could sell ideologies, it could also peddle goods and services. We live in the Age of Story. Every brand, every political manifesto, is built on a narrative architecture. Now Africa is reclaiming its own stories, and harnessing generations of storytelling craft to reconfigure the ways in which it is represented and perceived.



Ras Mutabaruka is founder of The African Perspective, “a Pan-African media platform that tells African stories from an African perspective with a mission to re-brand Africa”. As a Rwanda immigrant to Canada who had grown up without a radio or television, he quickly understood that Western representations of Africa were a distortion of what he had known.



“TAP came from that moment of sheer frustration,” he says. “At university I found myself complaining about the BBC and CNN, so I asked myself, ‘You’re a natural storyteller.



Why don’t you tell people about the Africa they don’t know?’ Telling nuanced stories from an African perspective sounded like a crazy idea. If you look for example at the way the climate crisis is reported, Africa is just the victim. But Africa is also the solution; 40% of the world’s solar capabilities are in Africa. These are editorial and creative decisions about what gets written – and what gets done.” The stories can be delivered in ways unique to each of the myriad cultures and peoples of the continent, but he says there are narrative pillars identifiable in many of Africa’s storytelling traditions. “It’s oral, it’s an occasion, it’s communal. In most of these cultures there are specific people selected to be the storyteller. And they tell parables, without the Western directness. There are different ways to pass on that message.”



The reclamation of African storytelling modes requires an understanding of how such modalities have been recorded and understood in Western analysis.



Matthew H. Brown is Associate Professor of African Cultural Studies at the University of Wisconsin, where the late Harold Scheub taught for over 40 years and developed an international reputation as an authority on the documentation of African oral traditions and folklore.



“Even though he was considered a major figure in understanding African storytelling, it wasn’t necessarily the case that his method was adopted by everyone,” says Brown. “But his basic argument is that storytelling is about change. To tell stories is to grapple with transformations of some kind, that people go through rites of passage. Many of the characters in these stories are solitary creatures, who are then re-incorporated back into their community.



There’s a useful way to comment on how humans organize themselves by taking this animal perspective.” How, then, does this solitary cypher retrieve its heritage, and the allegorical power inherent in these traditions, in order to reshape the ways Africa is both commercially and politically portrayed?



“To decolonize that set of politics is tricky,” he says, “because it’s about showing that Africa is unique and different and has its own way of knowing, but without replicating this colonial idea that Africans are fundamentally different. There’s a modern world that Africans know could not have been produced without them. 



The storytelling paradigms, at least in that kind of media, keep holding them at arm’s length from having access to it.”



The potential to bridge this gap will flower from knowledge – repositories of African thinking accessible to those to whom it truly belongs. Sylvia Arthur is Founder of the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora, “a decolonised research library, archive, writing residency and research institute” based in Accra, Ghana.



“African stories have rarely been told by Africans themselves and have been limited in their scope, primarily to serve a political purpose,” says Arthur. “The performance and experience of storytelling is key in African modes. It’s about moving the reader or the listener to feel as well as think, to act and not just be passive. It is communal, participatory, interactive, and engaging – a way to mobilize.



She believes this mobilization must lead to ownership, of both the cultural capital and the means of production. “The single story narrative will continue to plague African storytelling in the Western context,” Arthur says. “The simple solution is to own more publishing houses, film and music production companies, online platforms. Technology allows for mass communication, but storytelling in its purest form is still, fundamentally, an intimate means of communicating – and this is one challenge that African storytellers will need to take on in order to maintain the authenticity of the form. Technology can mediate, but it can also obfuscate and alienate. Striking the right balance is essential.”



Once Anansi has overcome the python, the leopard and the hornets, what does it do with the hard-fought stewardship of the stories it coveted for so long?



“The transfer and custodianship of cultural knowledge has traditionally been the domain of academic institutions,” Arthur says. “But we are an institution with an African and activist bent. We straddle the line between academia and popular culture by making this kind of knowledge attractive and accessible. The key is in finding how best to package this cultural knowledge, and taking it directly to the audience – rather than expecting them to come to you.”

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Re-Telling The African Story: How The Continent Is Reclaiming Its Own

By Colin Iles



I was recently asked to comment on how the opportunities for women leaders have changed since I started work. And then, I was asked to share some thoughts about what changes we can expect over the next decade.



To the first question, my answer was simple. Not much. According to the World Economic Forum, only 15% of the Fortune 500 are run by women. In South Africa where I’m located, this drops to only 7% for Johannesburg Stock Exchangelisted companies.



And that’s despite billions being spent on diversity training, new hiring models and anti-bias algorithms.



Having lived through and led many cultural change programs, I’m not surprised. It is ridiculously hard to try and change human behavior.



And HR-led diversity initiatives are trying to fix behaviors that have become systemic and entrenched over decades. I don’t know if these behaviors were created by genetics or the persistent pre-teen brainwashing about what our respective roles in society should be.



I do know that unwinding behaviors, that have developed with 20-plus years of application prior to even entering the workforce, is always going to be a tough ask for any HR team, no matter how right, how passionate, and how resourced.



Depressing as this may be, I am still incredibly upbeat about the possibilities opening up for female leaders to do incredible things over the next decade.



But this change will not come because the incumbent male leaders have an epiphany about the benefits of diversity. It will be driven by organizations changing in a way that aligns better to diversified leadership.



And the good news is this transformation has already started.



Over the last decade, we have seen more and more examples of companies that focus on “doing good”, outperforming their profit-at-all-cost competitors. Case study after case study has shown how purpose-led companies have happier customers, more engaged employees and better support from their investors.



Patagonia, as one example, has cemented its place as a premium outdoor brand by focusing on using business to save the planet.



Thousands of other companies are now seeking accreditation from organizations like the US Based B-Corp, to showcase how they are using business to benefit people, communities and the planet.n(If you know Ben &amp; Jerry’s or Lemonade, they are both registered B-Corps.) 



And listed companies are also facing more pressure from institutional investors to apply the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals. BlackRock’s CEO Larry Fink has written regularly about how he is more likely to invest in businesses that make “a positive contribution to society”.



So the shift from “for-profit” looks to have momentum. This will obviously challenge those incumbents that have a symbiotic relationship between the CEO’s bonuses and shareholder returns, as purposeful organizations have more complex and ambiguous environments to manage.



This might mean taking the hard decisions not to operate in oppressive jurisdictions, accelerating the switch to renewables or doubling junior pay.



Bad for bonuses. Good for the planet.



Managing these trade-offs will require conviction, courage and curiosity, because there is no playbook for this new model.



And that is precisely why the opportunity for female leaders is better than ever before.



This new-styled leadership model is not male-dominated and females are already trailblazing in these somewhat unchartered waters.



Take Indra Nooyi for example. As PepsiCo’s CEO prior to 2018, she introduced “performance with purpose”, sold off a profitable set of food brands that didn’t align with her vision and made significant inroads in rebalancing the portfolio towards healthier, more sustainable food and drink offerings.



Transformation stories from leaders like Nooyi demonstrate why purpose is a more powerful motivator than profit, and how curious and courageous female leaders can drive transformation programs that benefit society as a whole. So, there is real opportunity for women in this new leadership paradigm. And we, as in society as a whole, really need them now to help transform business into a force for good, that can improve lives and save our planet.



This requires radical change. And diversity will be a critical step in achieving this.



The writer curates thought leadership events that help executive teams transform their organizations; visit coliniles.com

Author: Forbes Africa

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA