Miss out on this years #LWS2022? Catch all the In The Spotlight segments, Panel discussions and One-on-One talks now available. 



For seven years, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA’s Leading Women Summit has created powerful connections and communities. The theme for 2022 is Resetting Everything: The New Face of Leadership. Renuka Methil, Managing Editor, FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA gives her welcoming address to this 2-day Virtual Summit, crossing multiple time zones as one collective audience.



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<h2 class="has-text-align-center">A New Lens on Innovation for African Women Leaders</h2>



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Women control $126TN of global wealth, and yet, financial services aren’t meeting their needs. The Covid-19 Pandemic has also had a far-reaching impact on African women over the past two years. Mastercard spearheads the Women By Design program to create possibilities in a world that works better for women. CNBC Africa anchor Fiona Muthoni speaks to Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President, Marketing &amp; Communications, EEMEA: Mastercard



<h2 class="has-text-align-center" id="h-the-future-of-relationships-in-a-pandemic-world">The Future of Relationships in a Pandemic World</h2>



CNBC Africa Anchor Tania Habimana, moderates this discussion with Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, AU&#8217;s Special Envoy on Youth; Neema Iyer, Founder &amp; Executive Director, Pollicy: Uganda and Joy Des Fountain, Founder, myFanPark.SHOW LESS



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The fully-virtual summit is available <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW6nIAms_84wrHda6QMIA38G2tYhbCJ_Y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>

Green Circle Social Media Platforms Mind Map (1)

Celebrating Seven Years of the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit￼

2022 is unravelling a workforce that is re-emerging from social isolation and rejigging a global economy hard-hit by two pandemic years. It’s also often in challenging times that true leadership emerges from the cracks, and with renewed vigour. Some of these ground-breaking women leaders will share their thoughts and hard-earned insights at the 2022 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, presented by Mastercard.



Coinciding with International Women’s Day, the free-to-attend, two-day summit will take place on the Hopin virtual platform on 8 and 9 March. Themed ‘Resetting Everything: The New Face of Leadership’, the fully-virtual seventh edition of the summit will bring together another powerful community of visionary champions. These industry leaders will use this platform to reflect on the times, trends and topics leading pandemic recovery in Africa and the world.



“As Africa looks to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is critical that we build a better future &#8211; one where everyone is included,” says Ebehijie Momoh, Country Manager and Area Business Head for West Africa at Mastercard. “Mastercard has a strong sense of responsibility to take action when it comes to equality, which is why we are proud to present the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit. With an unparalleled speaker line-up, this year’s event promises to be a source of inspiration, empowerment and encouragement for leading women across the continent, as they set a new course for a more inclusive, and equitable future.”



“Having started only seven years ago, and pivoting to the virtual space during the pandemic years, the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit remains a popular annual event for global leaders,” said Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA. “This is a testament to the calibre of our speakers, the engaging platform, and the value attendees receive out of every discussion. We’re very excited to announce our exciting speaker line-up that brings together some of the continent’s most influential women for hard-hitting engagements and discussions.”



<h2 class="has-text-align-center" id="h-2022-forbes-woman-africa-leading-women-summit-speaker-line-up">2022 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit speaker line-up</h2>



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Women in Science and Medicine</h3>



Dr Soumya Swaminathan is the WHO Chief Scientist, strengthening the organisation’s core scientific work and ensuring the quality and consistency of its norms and standards. A paediatrician from India and globally recognised researcher on TB and HIV, she brings 30 years of experience in clinical care and research.



Dr Shaheenah Dawood is a consultant medical oncologist and associate professor in clinical oncology in the United Arab Emirates. She’s been awarded multiple scholar-in-training awards and ASCO merit awards. She served as an editorial fellow at the New England Journal of Medicine and has an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. She leads the oncology clinical trials programme at Mediclinic City Hospital Dubai, and serves on various leading summits.



Mabusha Petronella Nyelisani is a Natural Scientist with an MBA degree, BSc Honours degree and BSc degree in Geology. She has a decade of experience in mining, currently working as a project geologist at Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore where she manages day-to-day operations at an exploration project.



Makobo Penelope Simelane is a Senior Geologist with an MBA and BSc Honours degree in geology and more than a decade of experience in aspects of the mining value chain. She works as a Resource Modelling and Estimation Geologist at Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore Sishen Mine and Centurion Corporate Office.



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Women in Finance, Technology and Business</h3>



Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa is the CEO of Naspers in South Africa, having previously cofounded Sigma Capital, an investment holding company and holding various high-profile positions in finance. She’s involved in several youth development initiatives and is part of the Dignity Day programme led by Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum. She sits on many boards and has several accolades including CNBC Africa’s All Africa Business Leaders ‘Woman of the Year Award’ in 2019 and the Forbes Woman Africa ‘Businesswoman of the Year’ Award in 2014. In 2020, Phuthi ranked number 42 on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women International list.



Jane Karuku, MGH, is the Group Managing Director and CEO at East African Breweries Limited, one of Kenya’s biggest manufacturers. Her experience in fast-moving consumer goods and NPOs spans more than 25 years. She has served on several boards including Barclays Bank (now ABSA Kenya), and is currently a Trustee of Precious Sisters, an NPO that empowers underprivileged girls though education scholarships. Jane has been recognized and awarded for her contribution to the country’s social and economic development. She’s been awarded the Presidential Order of Service, Uzalendo Award and the Moran of Golden Heart (MGH) Award for her contributions to the country.



Beatrice Cornacchia is Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Mastercard in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) and is the creative force leading the company’s brand strategy across the region’s markets. After starting her journey with the company in 1991, Cornacchia went on to head strategic sales functions and numerous marketing teams in a succession of key roles including Head of Consumer Marketing, Europe; Head of Issuer and Merchant Marketing, Europe; and Head of Marketing, Italy and Greece. Ebehijie Momoh is the Country Manager and Area Business Head, West Africa, Mastercard. She holds a BSc in Chemistry, and two MBAs. Based in Nigeria, Ebehijie is responsible for advancing the Mastercard brand presence in West Africa, deploying innovative payment solutions and partnering with local governments and market regulators to build a World Beyond Cash.



Neema Iyer is a Tanzanian artist, technologist, and founder of Pollicy, a feminist civic technology collective based in Uganda. She co-hosts the Terms and Conditions podcast, is a Practitioner Fellow at Stanford’s Digital Civil Society Lab and is on Meta’s (formerly Facebook) Global Women’s Safety Advisory Board.



Dayo Ademola is the MD for Branch International, a San Francisco-based fintech operating in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and India. She has more than 15 years’ experience in technology, fintech, banking and financial inclusion. She is passionate about leveraging technology and capital to deepen access to financial services and wealth for Africans at all levels. Dayo holds a Degree in International Business and Economics.



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Women in Activism</h3>



Zandile Ndhlovu is the founder of The Black Mermaid Foundation, an organisation which works to enable local community access to ocean spaces for recreation, sport and business, while creating a new generation of ocean guardians. She’s a diversity and inclusion consultant contributing to global topics on ocean conservation, climate change and coastal justice.



Divya Vasant is a purpose-driven entrepreneur, founder and CEO of AMAZI, a social impact brand for enabling the economic inclusion of women. She has a background as a financial analyst, is an alumnus of the Zanele Mbeki Fellowship for Feminist Leadership, and believes mentorship is fundamental in supporting women create their own spaces



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Women in Sports</h3>



Salima Rhadia Mukansanga has been a Rwandan international football referee since 2012. She started out in nursing, having received a Degree in Nursing before pivoting into her role as referee. To date she has officiated a number of top games including games for Afcon, FIFA and the Olympics.



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">Women in Arts, Social Entrepreneurship and Media</h3>



Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned Miss Universe 2021 and is also an actress with two Indian films set for release in 2022. She is committed to female empowerment and draws inspiration from her mother who broke generations of patriarchy to become a successful gynaecologist.



Emma Wareus won the Miss Botswana crown in 2010 before taking Miss Africa 2010 and then the first princess crown in the Miss World pageant later that year. Her humanitarian efforts include running a malaria programme with the Clinton Foundation; and becoming a brand ambassador for Cuplings, providing menstrual cups to girls. She has a Masters from the Elliot School of International Affairs and is building pro-community services with AI company, Dobby.



Shalin Sirkar is a graduate in Psychology and Legal Studies with an Honours in Philosophy, PoliBcs and Economics. She has worked in various NGOs as well as production roles in the South African film industry, establishing Chalia Films in 2004. Shalin wrote, directed, edited and produced the film MINESH, which premiered at the 70th Venice International Film Festival. In 2016, she created Kismet Rising where she works as a psychic clairvoyant.



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The 2022 Leading Women Summit has been made possible by esteemed sponsors, Mastercard and the Multichoice Group, who share our vision to encapsulate Africa&#8217;s success through storytelling, thought-provoking debates, and high-level discussions that would shape the future of Africa, for current and future female leaders.



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How to get involved:



You can become a part of the change by registering to attend the summit; visit the following platforms:



Register on <a href="https://hopin.com/events/forbes-woman-africa-leading-women-summit-2022">Hopin</a> for the two-day summit Our <a href="https://leadingwomensummit.co.za/">Leading Women Summit</a> website



Or you can follow and engage with us on social media @LWSummit or @forbeswomanafrica by using the hashtag #LWS2022. 



You may also come on board as an event sponsor or by exhibiting at the online marketplace.



Contact details: Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities: sales@abn360.com Media-related enquiries: yolande.dutoit@abn360.com Event-related queries: events@abn360.com

Green Circle Social Media Platforms Mind Map

Dynamic speaker line-up announced for the 2022 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit

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At the 2021 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit held as a virtual event on March 8 and 9, the panelists that converged for the discussion, ‘Agility And Flexibility: Culture Change In The C-Suite’, dwelt on the new needs and challenges of a pandemic-ridden world and what will set apart organizations that will be the big winners of the future. Surveys prove that this agility is now paying off in improved productivity. Companies that are customer-focused, people-driven, tech-enabled, and flexible are the ‛agility champions’, according to PwC. Shirley Machaba, CEO of PwC Southern Africa, on of the panelists, expounded on some of these points.  



She was joined from Kigali by&nbsp;Clare Akamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, as well as&nbsp;Eva Mattheeussen, Head of Human Resources at DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East and Africa; and&nbsp;Sheikha Hend Faisal Al Qassimi, an Emirati businesswoman, author and artist from the UAE. The diverse panel&nbsp;looked at ways&nbsp;to redraft company work ethics to embrace&nbsp;sustainable business practices as a must for future success.&nbsp;“Unfortunately, women are always being overlooked, whether they deliver or not. This is why women have to work twice as hard… You have to give women milestones, and you have to see them achieving those milestones. And a lot of women are achieving those milestones because they’re used to multi-tasking. This is their second nature,” observed&nbsp;Faisal Al Qassimi on the panel.&nbsp;

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#LWS2021: Panel- Flexible Options And Agility Champions To Fuel Culture Change In The C-Suite

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Folorunso Alakija, Nigerian entrepreneur and Vice-Chair of Famfa Oil, addressed&nbsp;the topic, ‘How to Become a Billionaire’, and discussed her recipe to success in an exclusive one-on-one interview at the 6th&nbsp;FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit held as a virtual event on March 8 and 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“As you progress in life, you meet hurdles, and I’ve come up with my own mantras that guide me. I spell out ‘SUCCESS’ – Seek God; Utilize your time and talent; Credibility and reliability; Consistently focus on your goal; Educate yourself; Say ‘no’ to discouragement agents; and Sacrifice daily by going the extra mile.”&nbsp;



Watch this interview with Peace Hyde for more on Alakija’s interpretation of true wealth.&nbsp;

Interview With Nigeria’s Richest Woman, Billionaire Folorunso Alakija

#LWS2021: Lessons from one of Africa’s richest

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In her welcome address at the 2021&nbsp;FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit held as a virtual event on March 8 and 9, FORBES AFRICA Managing Editor Renuka Methil, unraveled the theme of the 6th&nbsp;annual summit as ‘Africa Reloaded: The Power of The Collective’ and the need for everyone to come together to reset Africa on the path of recovery and progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



&#8220;This summit brings together a unique collection of individuals&nbsp;putting together an architecture for a new world order.&nbsp;These are the visionary thinkers, the doers and problem-solvers, some of them the greatest fighters of our times who have lived from despair to disaster, and yet succeeded.&nbsp;Because when they win,&nbsp;on an African countryside somewhere on the continent, as the sun goes down, little girls will dream of becoming the women they see on this stage,” she said.&nbsp;



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Turning adversity into advantage&nbsp;



In her role as Executive Vice Chair, Ann Cairns represents Mastercard around the world, focusing on inclusion, diversity and innovation. She plays the important role of senior ambassador and executive leader with a global remit and sits as part of the company’s global management committee. In this opening interview, titled ‘Turning adversity into advantage’, at&nbsp;the&nbsp;6th&nbsp;FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit held as a virtual event on March 8 and 9, she tells CNBC Africa anchor&nbsp;Zinathi&nbsp;Gquma how Covid-19 has widened the gender gap, and how it’s affecting the global economy. She reveals more on financial solutions for female entrepreneurs in this interview.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Business people having meeting in modern office

#LWS2021 The True Power Of The Collective

The power of fashion as a tool for social change is being realized in a tiny town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where suffering is being swapped with style and self-worth.



Deep in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), lies the town of Bukavu, home to a community of women survivors of violence.



Since it first opened its doors, this transformational leadership community called the City of Joy, has graduated 1,380 women leaders. Here, women are healed from their past trauma through therapy and life skills programming and provided with essential ingredients to move forward in life, supported by love and community.



The program welcomes 90 survivors of gender violence aged between 18 and 30 at a time.



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Recently, specialist Dutch fabric maker, Vlisco, was asked to create a fashion collection to honor the women of the City of Joy and the surgeon who works with them, 2018’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Denis Mukwege.



Five international designers worked with 15 City of Joy graduates to create a collection of empowering and personalized garments using new fabrics.



The fabrics consist of five traditionally printed super-wax patterns incorporating 100 different, vivid colors.



The collection was showcased at a gala event in front of a global audience in Kinshasa in November last year to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and all proceeds from the sale of the collection donated to the City of Joy.



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David Suddens, CEO of Vlisco, told FORBES WOMAN AFRICA that the five international designers, all African women, were keen to join the company’s efforts to help the women of the eastern Congo.



“They were immediately engaged even though they were not
initially aware of the City of Joy and the scale of the rape and brutality.
Once they had met the women, they formed a bond of love and respect.”



Suddens continues: “It was a real pleasure to work with the five designers; they not only created and made the garments in a very short period of time, they flew great distances to be with the women (one interrupted her family vacation in the United States to be in the DRC) and they made a huge impact on the women they designed for. The bond was palpable.”



The designers wrote to Suddens and Gabriela Sanchez, a Mexican Dutch designer and head of creative projects at Vlisco: “Thank you so much for changing not only our lives this year with this experience but also thank you for connecting us with these amazing women, with compelling stories and divine souls. You’re both a blessing to us.” The founder of City of Joy, Christine Schuler, told Suddens and Sanchez that many people visit the community, but “nobody has understood us like you have”.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The beauty of the Congolese landscape is depicted; its river, its forests, its nature. From the dark roots of the forest, slowly flowers start to grow, butterflies appear, birds are in the sky and the sun is glimpsed behind the clouds.</blockquote>



Asked about the impact of the designs and this collaboration
on the community, Suddens says: “The designs are related to the lives and
suffering and hope and courage of the women in the City of Joy. You needed to
see their faces light up when they first saw the designs. They were overjoyed.”



The main stories expressed in the fabric designs are
fundamentally about the journey from pain to power. 



“The designs, at the bottom, are somber, twisted, even
menacing. But, as the eye moves upwards, there is gradually more light and the
images symbolize hope and respect and love,” Suddens explains. 



“The beauty of the Congolese landscape is depicted; its
river, its forests, its nature. From the dark roots of the forest, slowly
flowers start to grow, butterflies appear, birds are in the sky and the sun is
glimpsed behind the clouds.



“In one design sits a lion, dignified and rather sad, symbolizing Dr Mukwege. In another, sisterhood is portrayed, with intertwined threads joining ‘hands’ as they grow lighter but stronger. And two designs depict the beauty of the vagina, full of flowers against the dark background of the universe.”



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.forbeswomanafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Vlisco-designer-Gabriela-Sanchez-y-Sanchez-de-la-Barquera-stands-with-designers-Oritsegbubemi-Ogisi-Abiola-Adeniran-Olusola-Tolu-Coker-Aisha-Ayensu-Rebecca-Zoro-Photo-credit-–-Vlisco-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41538"/></figure>



FORBES WOMAN AFRICA also spoke to international designer
Aisha Ayensu, the founder and creative director of fashion brand Christie Brown
known as a player in the rise of contemporary African fashion since its
inception 11 years ago. 



“This project gave me first-hand insight into how fashion
can be used as a tool for social change but most importantly, meeting these
remarkable women, sharing in their joy and appreciating where they’ve come from
and their journey from pain to power has completely altered the way I view my
work and my purpose,” says Ayensu.



She recalls her experience in Kinshasa as magical. “It was
important that the gala event highlighted their power and recovery more than
the atrocities the women faced, but all the same, raising awareness of what may
still be going on and how we can help stop violence against women.”



“I had an experience with one of the ladies in Bukavu, when
she did her first fitting&#8230; The sheer joy and excitement on her face when she
saw her outfit and exclaimed in local language ‘for me?’ In disbelief. When she
put it on and saw a picture of herself, she started to cry tears of joy and
also started saying ‘is this me, today look at me, I am also somebody’. That
reaction was priceless. When fashion and design is deliberate and well thought
out, it has the power to elevate a woman in ways you can’t imagine.”



Added Suddens: “Never could they have imagined wearing their
own designs made into garments by African designers. To understand, you need to
see their faces. You need to see them literally dancing with joy.”&nbsp; 



-Jill De Villiers

City of Joy graduates walk the catwalk in Kinshasa to launch the City of Joy Collection (1)

Clothes Encounters In The Congo: How Fashion Can Be Used As A Tool For Social Change

Africa’s most dynamic thought-leaders, industry game-changers
and icons of social activism are set to feature at the ex<a>clusive
FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit </a>presented by Mastercard (#LWS2020KZN)
and hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal government &#8211; taking place at the Inkosi Albert
Luthuli ICC Complex in Durban on Friday, 6 March 2020.



For the 5th edition of this globally-renowned
event, panellists and speakers will engage with the impactful 2020 theme, ‘The
Ceiling Crashers 2.0: Power with Purpose’. The day’s thought-provoking
discussions will be followed by the highly-anticipated <a>FORBES
WOMAN AFRICA Awards Gala Dinner </a>which celebrates the continent’s most
influential female ‘ceiling crashers’ across a number of key categories.&nbsp; 



“The <a>FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading
Women Summit </a>has grown to become one of the biggest female-empowerment
events, boasting a high calibre of attendees and unparalleled speaker line-up,”
said Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA. 



“This promises to be the biggest instalment yet,
featuring female pioneers and path-breakers across the continent. Audiences will
be exposed to dynamic discussions about the growing the number of women in
leadership &#8211; something government and business really need to factor into their
strategies. We will also get to grips with a new discourse that focuses on dismantling
power structures and the need for truly inclusive cultures in business and
society.”



This highly-anticipated event, which is hosted annually
in honour of International Women’s Day, is expected to draw an audience of
around 1 000 leading women. Through hard-hitting talks, fireside chats and
insightful panel sessions centred on ‘ceiling crashers’, attendees will be
inspired to make meaningful changes within their own industries, secure in the
knowledge that they have the support of these innovative allies. This year’s
programme promises an influential mix of leaders in healthcare and business;
advocates of social and environmental activism; award-winning artists and
internationally-renowned stateswomen. 



For the first time, FORBES WOMAN AFRICA will be releasing
its own list of ‘Africa’s Most Powerful Women’, many of whom will be attending
the summit. The list will be published in the March issue of the magazine, outlining
those who have been leading ideas and industries while purposefully
contributing to nation-building and positively impacting the lives around them.



The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Awards Gala Dinner, which is
hosted the evening of the summit, is an opportunity to recognise the
trailblazers and role models who have created a new narrative within their
industries. By challenging authority and ‘old school’ traditions, they are
enabling future generations to live in a better and more equal world. 



Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President, Marketing and
Communications, Mastercard Middle East and Africa, said: “African women are a
vital source of innovation, prosperity, and economic growth. Yet inequality and
exclusion still hold women back in many aspects of their everyday lives &#8211; from
growing their businesses to having the financial tools to participate in the
formal economy; from joining the C-Suite to following their passions. We are
proud to partner with FORBES WOMAN AFRICA as we believe that it is only by
bringing diverse perspectives to the table that we can unlock Africa’s
possibilities to women.”



Managing Director of the ABN Group, Roberta Naicker, said
the organisation was excited that the KwaZulu-Natal government would, once
again, play host to this illustrious event, which serves to highlight the
continent’s most influential female leaders while also shining a spotlight on
this beautiful region. “A summit of this calibre showcases that KZN is being
positioned as a world-class events’ destination. We are excited to have
renowned speakers and attendees will get the opportunity to engage on hard-hitting
issues during the summit, while also affording them the chance to enjoy the
many recreational tourism sites and activities for which KZN is renowned.”



Tickets to the exclusive 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading
Women Summit and Gala Dinner are available at a cost of R3499, available
through Webtickets (<a href="https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1496991848">https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1496991848</a>).
Tickets are limited and interested parties are urged to book early to avoid
disappointment. There are also select opportunities to get involved with the event
sponsorship, exhibiting at the on-site marketplace or by sponsoring a mentee. Please
visit website for further details.



The 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is
presented by Mastercard (@MastercardMEA) and hosted by KZN Provincial
Government (@KZNgov). Keep updated on all the latest news and announcements on
Twitter @LWSummit and join the conversation using the hashtags #LWS2020KZN
#DOKZN.



Contact details:



Office: +27 (11) 384 0300



Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities: <a href="mailto:Sales_South_Africa@abn360.com">Sales_South_Africa@abn360.com</a> 



Media partnerships and press accreditation: <a href="mailto:oj@oliviajones.co.za">oj@oliviajones.co.za</a> 



Event-related queries: <a href="mailto:events@abn360.com">events@abn360.com</a>



Website:<a href="http://www.Leadingwomensummit.co.za">www.Leadingwomensummit.co.za</a>

LWS_Social-Media_Twitter_announcement_1

Africa’s Most Dynamic Thought-Leaders, Industry Game-Changers And Icons Of Social Activism Set To Feature At The Exclusive FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 2020 Leading Women Summit

FORBES WOMAN AFRICA is
excited to announce the inaugural FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum in
association with Mastercard, a Leading Women Summit initiative, to be held in
Kigali, Rwanda, on 9 August 2019.



Coinciding with National Women&#8217;s Day in South Africa, the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum in association with Mastercard will bring together 250 powerful women from across East Africa and will follow in the footsteps of the bigger annual FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, bringing a slice of this sought-after gathering to East Africa. 



READ MORE | <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Naomi Campbell Announced As Headline Speaker For The 2019 Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/02/07/naomi-campbell-announced-as-headline-speaker-for-the-2019-forbes-woman-africa-leading-women-summit/" target="_blank">Naomi Campbell Announced As Headline Speaker For The 2019 Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit</a>



“The
FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum will echo the same fervor and sentiment as the
flagship Leading Women Summit but in hosting it for the first time in East
Africa, what I am very keen on is coming face-to-face with the women who are at
the top of their game in this region – the guests and speakers on the day will
be luminaries you don’t want to miss meeting,” says Renuka Methil, Managing
Editor of FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.



As an initiative by the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, the full-day, not-to-be-missed event, which will debut in the East African nation, is to be hosted at the Kigali Serena Hotel and will feature some of the exciting content FORBES WOMAN AFRICA has consistently won awards for.



READ MORE | <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Naomi Campbell: Africa Is One Of The Leading Continents In The World (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/08/naomi-campbell-africa-is-one-of-the-leading-continents-in-the-world/" target="_blank">Naomi Campbell: Africa Is One Of The Leading Continents In The World</a>



Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Mastercard Middle East and Africa said: “African women are a force for economic growth and social change, and are playing a critical role in addressing the development challenges faced across the continent. 



 “As cultural and social dynamics shift, we are beginning to see an environment where women can flourish, and demonstrate the value they offer to every industry and sector in the economy. We are proud to partner with Forbes Africa and believe that this initiative will help to create opportunities for women to reach their greatest potential.”



The 2019 FORBES
WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit on March 8 saw Supermodel, Philanthropist, Activist and Cultural Innovator Naomi
Campbell headline the Durban event, alongside some of the most notable names in
business, sports, politics and the arts.



Further details and speaker profiles will soon be revealed in the buildup to the event.



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/arts/2019/04/10/noami-campbell-has-big-plans-for-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Naomi Campbell Has Big Plans For Africa (opens in a new tab)">Naomi Campbell Has Big Plans For Africa</a>



&#8211;The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum in association with Mastercard will be a by-invitation-only gathering and further information can be obtained by following <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="@LWSummit (opens in a new tab)" href="https://twitter.com/LWSummit" target="_blank">@LWSummit</a> on Twitter.



-The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Regional Forum in association with Mastercard will be managed and produced by ABN Event Productions.

Forbes Woman Africa Announces First Regional Forum In Rwanda

refugees6

Refugees: The Nowhere People

In the afternoon on what was a public holiday in South Africa, news started trickling in of Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela’s death, of illness at the Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg. She was 81.



On 2 April 2018 South Africa would mourn her passing for the next couple of weeks. As would the world.



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-1 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="302" height="416" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie1.png" alt="" data-id="39964" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39964" class="wp-image-39964" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie1.png 302w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie1-300x413.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie1-218x300.png 218w" sizes="(max-width: 302px) 100vw, 302px" /><figcaption>Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Picture: Motlabana Monnakgotla </figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="407" height="594" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/winnie3.png" alt="" data-id="39965" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39965" class="wp-image-39965" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/winnie3.png 407w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/winnie3-300x438.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/winnie3-206x300.png 206w" sizes="(max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px" /><figcaption>Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and daughter Zindzi. Picture: Motlabana Monnakgotla </figcaption></figure></li></ul>



Mama Winnie was gone, marking the end of an era, yet in death, rekindling memories of a painful apartheid past, against which she fought valiantly, controversially; the fearless, feisty fighter who famously clenched her fist to rallying cries of ‘amandla’ (Zulu word for ‘power’), had clenched her fists forever. 



A hero had departed.



Anti-apartheid activist, politician, struggle stalwart and ex-wife of South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela, Madikizela-Mandela was known as the Mother of the Nation.



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-3 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="925" height="611" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie5.png" alt="" data-id="39966" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39966" class="wp-image-39966" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie5.png 925w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie5-300x198.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie5-600x396.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie5-768x507.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="924" height="613" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie8.png" alt="" data-id="39967" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39967" class="wp-image-39967" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie8.png 924w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie8-300x199.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie8-600x398.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie8-768x510.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 924px) 100vw, 924px" /></figure></li></ul>



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-5 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="925" height="618" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie9.png" alt="" data-id="39968" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39968" class="wp-image-39968" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie9.png 925w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie9-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie9-600x401.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie9-768x513.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="927" height="615" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie13.png" alt="" data-id="39969" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39969" class="wp-image-39969" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie13.png 927w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie13-300x199.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie13-600x398.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie13-768x510.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 927px) 100vw, 927px" /></figure></li></ul>



Day six after Madikizela-Mandela’s death, hundreds gathered for a tribute ceremony to honor her at Constitutional Hill, where she was prisoner number 1323/69 when jailed by the apartheid government in the last century.



“It’s really hard to stand here, we are sore. ‘Big Mama’ as we called her, took us by surprise,” said Ndileka Mandela, Madikizela-Mandela’s eldest granddaughter before breaking down on stage, and was thereafter warmly comforted by Graça Machel, former first lady and wife of the late South African president Mandela.



“Winnie was my big sister, I take long to process pain, I prefer to be quiet to feel and understand it. It is too early to process the pain we are going through,” said Machel.



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-7 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="925" height="612" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie6.png" alt="" data-id="39974" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39974" class="wp-image-39974" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie6.png 925w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie6-300x198.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie6-600x397.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie6-768x508.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="927" height="616" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie11.png" alt="" data-id="39975" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39975" class="wp-image-39975" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie11.png 927w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie11-300x199.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie11-600x399.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie11-768x510.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 927px) 100vw, 927px" /></figure></li></ul>



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-9 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="407" height="620" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie7.png" alt="" data-id="39972" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39972" class="wp-image-39972" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie7.png 407w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie7-300x457.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie7-197x300.png 197w" sizes="(max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="411" height="615" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie12.png" alt="" data-id="39973" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39973" class="wp-image-39973" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie12.png 411w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie12-300x449.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie12-200x300.png 200w" sizes="(max-width: 411px) 100vw, 411px" /></figure></li></ul>



 The funeral on April 14; a Saturday morning that brought together tens of thousands of mourners at Orlando Stadium, for the day their Mother would be laid to rest. 



The mourners cheered, cried, and stood up raising their fists, chanting and shouting Mama Winnie’s name. At that very moment, blood rushed through our veins.



It felt like the whole stadium was shaking but in reality, photographers were pushing and shoving to get the perfect picture, that historic picture; and it was something we most definitely captured too.



<ul class="is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-11 wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="927" height="616" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie14.png" alt="" data-id="39970" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39970" class="wp-image-39970" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie14.png 927w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie14-300x199.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie14-600x399.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie14-768x510.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 927px) 100vw, 927px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="926" height="611" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie15.png" alt="" data-id="39971" data-link="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?attachment_id=39971" class="wp-image-39971" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie15.png 926w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie15-300x198.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie15-600x396.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Winnie15-768x507.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 926px) 100vw, 926px" /></figure></li></ul>

Winnie4

IN PICTURES | 1 Year On : Remembering Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela

Across
Africa, there is a growing trend of programs promoting entrepreneurship as the
silver bullet to many of the continent’s challenges. Pitch competitions are
many and varied, each one targeting a different demographic or segment of
industry: youth, women, creatives, inventors, agro-processors and so on. 



The
expectation and intention is to identify, breed and groom young people who have
developed ideas that can have a catalytic impact on the continent, and to
nurture their dreams and businesses to scale.



However, the pipeline to produce the kind of entrepreneurs that can succeed in enterprise creation that yields proportionate returns in expected areas such as job creation, reduced unemployment and food security is not yet fully developed. 



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/current-affairs/2019/02/02/education-quality-and-the-youth-skills-gap-are-marring-progress-in-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Education Quality and the Youth Skills Gap Are Marring Progress in Africa (opens in a new tab)">Education Quality and the Youth Skills Gap Are Marring Progress in Africa</a>



Africa’s
schools are still prioritizing rote learning, theory over practice, and
outdated curricula that do not respond to the changing needs of the job market,
and few to no schools teach entrepreneurship to young people. 



Across
Africa, as the economies fail to create enough jobs for the over 10 million
young people entering the workforce each year, enterprise development remains
the best pathway to creating employment and ensuring sustainable livelihoods,
yet few governments have mainstreamed entrepreneurship education into their
curricula.



Mainstreaming
entrepreneurship education holds a key to job creation, not just through
self-employment, but as a small enterprise employing others. If each young
entrepreneur establishes an enterprise that creates at least five new jobs,
that can move the needle on youth unemployment across the continent. 



In order to do that, we need to focus on curricula that are practical and practice-able. We need to teach young people not just how things are made but how to make things. They need to learn not just how things are done, but how to do things.



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/economy/2019/03/09/how-to-better-support-business-innovators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="How To Better Support Business Innovators (opens in a new tab)">How To Better Support Business Innovators</a>



Mass
entrepreneurship, a concept which has been experimented within India, has had
some success. 



Delivering
this kind of change in education systems needs a systematic overhaul of
existing educational approaches. 



After all,
the question remains: can teachers successfully teach entrepreneurship? And if
so, can they do it effectively? 



Few models
exist on the continent or elsewhere that can be replicated. Theoretical
learning is still a dominant pedagogy, whereas evidence exists that
experiential education is the most effective approach.



Business education predominantly begins at the tertiary level, even though less than 10% of Africa’s high school graduates go on to university, according to the World Bank. 



If students are entering the job market after high school and becoming entrepreneurs by default rather than by design, they need to be equipped earlier on how to run businesses in order to increase their chances of success. 



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">The word ‘entrepreneurial’ still mystifies many young people. The notion that all youth will start and run a business is largely a false premise. </blockquote>



Redefining
what it means to be entrepreneurial can be a key lever of change; being
entrepreneurial is not just about enterprise-creation but about mindset change.




It is about
thinking entrepreneurially and being solutions-oriented. Reorienting young
people from a foundation of profit-making to that of problem-solving is what
sets apart successful entrepreneurs from day dreamers. 



Starting
that education early, systematically and at scale, is key. 



– Elizabeth Bintliff the Accra-based CEO of Junior Achievement Africa, an organization focusing on youth empowerment.

Teenage girl leading dance class in studio

African Curricula That  Mean Business

Mobile money services have not been very successful in South
Africa. The new products for micro-payments must address the larger ecosystem
of banks and retailers.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



Cash is still king in Africa and most parts of the world.
Yet, we cannot ignore the continued growth of mobile offerings on the African
continent, from the uptake of smartphones, app usage, or digital and mobile
payment solutions. 



Today, it is possible to open a bank account from a
smartphone or feature phone, and for small businesses to set up payment
solutions directly from mobile devices. As technologies advance for
micro-entrepreneurs, so too for micro-payments. 



A new form of payment aimed at ‘paying it forward’, be it to
a car guard, gardener, or a donation, has been introduced by South African
startup Jini Guru, called uKheshe, which means ‘cash’ in Zulu. 



The service allows a receiver to accept a tip or payment once a physical card with a QR code is scanned through the uKheshe app, by the sender.



The money accumulated can be cashed out at any Pick n Pay
outlet in South Africa, making it an essential solution for those who don’t
have bank accounts. The cards, attached to a lanyard, are of no cost and distributed
freely; anyone can order a batch online, only incurring courier fees. 



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/entrepreneurs/2018/04/26/banking-on-technology-new-mobile-bank-set-to-launch/">Banking On Technology: New Mobile Bank Set To Launch</a>



Guru first started working with Pick n Pay about five years
ago, which resulted in the startup building and integrating its mobile wallet
and rewards platform with the supermarket’s new smart banking capabilities back
in 2017. 



“The mobile money marketplace in South Africa has been
riddled with several failures and false starts over the last 15 years,” says
uKheshe founder Jason Penton. 



“We looked at these mistakes, registered our FSP [Financial
Service Providers] and focussed on building a solution for the unbanked that
could uplift and increase their earning capability, and after various
iterations, and around a year of red-tape and coding, we were ready to share
uKheshe with South Africa.” 



uKheshe has two types of users: the receiver who is equipped
with a QR code, compatible with a feature phone; and the payer who has a
smartphone with the app installed to make quick payments.



The receiver, upon obtaining a free uKheshe QR code, can
register via a USSD menu easily on a feature phone, and thereafter, check
balances; withdraw; and transfer funds. “The users are charged a R5 a month
admin fee ,” Penton says. 



Withdrawal fees from Pick n Pay will cost R5, which is much
lower than ATM fees; and those who purchase goods at the supermarket will pay a
R2 fee.



Similarly, M-Pesa, one of the biggest success stories from
Kenya and Tanzania, is a virtual banking system that allows users to transact
with a SIM card by making payments and transfers via SMS, through Safaricom.
The popular service, however, did not find the same success in South Africa,
and was discontinued in 2016.



MD of World Wide Worx Arthur Goldstuck says M-Pesa in South Africa was launched in partnership with an elite bank, Nedbank, then with an almost unknown bank, and finally hidden away in USSD menus. “They [M-Pesa] did everything wrong, and the timing of the launch wouldn’t have saved them.”



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/technology/2019/03/03/banks-are-promoting-female-chatbots-to-help-customers-raising-concerns-of-stereotyping/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Banks Are Promoting ‘Female’ Chatbots To Help Customers, Raising Concerns Of Stereotyping (opens in a new tab)">Banks Are Promoting ‘Female’ Chatbots To Help Customers, Raising Concerns Of Stereotyping</a>



“uKheshe is probably making a mistake in its pricing, since
it is being punted as an ideal way to tip the poor, it is baffling that the
cost of withdrawal is practically the size of a standard tip,” Goldstuck says.
“Again, with its emphasis on the poor, the R2 cost of payment for transactions
suggests little understanding of the limited resources of the poor.” 



But the company says another key proposition is that uKheshe
card holders can transfer money to each other at no cost. “We see potential for
an entire sub-economy evolving where uKheshe value is exchanged between users,”
adds Penton. 



“As a registered financial services provider, there are
regulations in place to prevent money laundering and transferring large sums of
money without being traced in the banking system,” says Penton on the account
of the system being abused. 



“We have a daily withdrawal limit of R3,000 ($220) and a
monthly limit of R24,000 ($1,760). All sources of money into our system have to
come from a banked individual and all transfers out are limited to the
daily/monthly caps, in line with regulations,” he says.



Given that the majority of mobile money services have
previously been a failure in South Africa, Goldstuck says the fundamental
difference between markets within Africa is that South Africa already has an
extensive and highly-efficient money transfer system through retail outlets,
and people both trust and understand it.



“Furthermore, South Africa has a high-banked population,
with more than 70% of adults having a bank account. In East Africa, fewer than
10% had a financial instrument before M-Pesa came along.” 



A downside to these new products is that they are specific
to one retailer, says Goldstuck. “They need to be interchangeable and brand
agnostic, so that they can be used elsewhere, which requires an ecosystem that
incorporates most banks and retail chains; and right now, we have deals rather
than ecosystems.” 



More competition is expected in South Africa as mobile operator MTN is set to relaunch its Mobile Money service in the first quarter of 2019. The service currently has more than24 million active subscribers in more than 20 markets.



&#8211; Nafisa Akabor

ukhese

How Mobile Solutions Are Paying It Forward

We are now well into 2019. It is scary how time flies, it
only seemed like yesterday many of us were still on holiday, planning our new
year resolutions. Well, hopefully by now, your resolutions have become your
daily habits. But there is a resolution that you may have overlooked.



I am talking about resolving to stay relevant and re-skill yourself for the future of work. The good news is that it is not too late, and there is no time like the present to start. There is no better time to make a ‘fourth industrial resolution’.



We live in a time where disruptive technologies and trends
such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics
and virtual reality (VR) will change the way we work. 



Are you equipped for this change?



Education has always been a powerful tool, but never has
that been truer. I am not talking about the traditional, outdated, boring type
of education. Please don’t rush to get an MBA or a new colleague degree. 



READ MORE |<a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2019/03/11/the-businesses-of-the-future-20-new-wealth-creators-on-the-african-continent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Businesses Of The Future: 20 New Wealth Creators On The African Continent (opens in a new tab)">Businesses Of The Future: 20 New Wealth Creators On The African Continent</a>



Try to pursue relevant and ongoing education aligned to the
times. There are hundreds of free or low-cost resources online that could help
you with this. 



Platforms such aUdemy have some top-quality courses,
Codecademy will help you code (although the benefits thereof are debateable),
and Trend Hunter will help you keep up to date with the latest products and
companies being launched globally.



Some companies have amazing learning and development teams
that push great learning initiatives to their people. If yours does so, embrace
these. If they don’t, push them to support you in your plans to grow your
knowledge, in the right way.



The right type of education



So, what is the right way? 



1. Understand the uses of new technologies. You can win in this era even if you are not a digital guru. It is not necessarily the person who has a doctorate in artificial intelligence that will become the billionaire, but the person who uses some creative or lateral thinking, one who spots a new way to use the technology that no one before had thought of.&nbsp; 



Most people don’t understand the inner workings of their smartphones but know how to use them to improve their lives. 



In the same way, it is more important for most people to
understand what can be done with AI, Blockchain, VR, IoT, etc than to
understand the inner workings of these new technologies. 



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/technology/2019/03/03/banks-are-promoting-female-chatbots-to-help-customers-raising-concerns-of-stereotyping/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Banks Are Promoting ‘Female’ Chatbots To Help Customers, Raising Concerns Of Stereotyping (opens in a new tab)">Banks Are Promoting ‘Female’ Chatbots To Help Customers, Raising Concerns Of Stereotyping</a>



2. Update your toolset of daily digital enablers – I have
helped employees and leaders in top companies throughout South Africa and have
been astounded by the lack of knowledge of new smart digital tools that can be
used to complete tasks faster, cheaper and better than ever before. 



Companies are still overpaying for services, because they
don’t know any better. For example, some are paying large amounts for research
that can be found for free online, for instance, by using sites like Moat or
SimilarWeb. 



3. Learn what is happening globally, in all industries.
Don’t just focus on your industry. You can get amazing ideas by exploring
outside your confines. 



Stop only going to your same-old, staid industry
conferences. Commit to exploring across the board. 



Learn about what is being created in different fields and apply that thinking to create new solutions.



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/technology/2019/02/24/internet-in-our-bodies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Internet In Our Bodies? (opens in a new tab)">Internet In Our Bodies?</a>



Make a real change



Most of those reading this won’t make a real commitment to
get ready for the future. I am not naïve – I know this. In fact, most people
probably quickly scrolled through the article, or just read the headline. 



But this is why it is even more important for you to be the
one who listens to my advice. 4IR will have many victims. Don’t be a victim, be
one of the people who actively takes control of their future. 



It may not be January the 1st but there is no better time to
make a fourth industrial resolution. 



– The writer is the CEO of 1064 Degrees.com. He is also a keynote speaker and author of ‘Exponential Potential’.

Robot working at desk, 3D Rendering

The Robots Are Coming:  How To Stay Relevant And  Re-Skill Yourself

Ramdas Iyer travels deep into the untouched Gabon rainforests to a cornucopia of natural wonders few have seen.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



 “My father and mother were pygmies, we are all pygmies here and among us is a visitor, who has crossed many seas and rivers to see you. He was, perhaps, a pygmy several generations ago and now wishes to experience our lives as the Babango of Waka.” 



This was my – rather unusual – introduction to the villagers
in their mbandja (temple) by the Secretary General of the indigenous forest
people of the Congo, Gabon and Cameroon. 



Visiting the pygmies traversing treacherous roads was
certainly a highlight of my trip and was organized by my Spaniard friend
Antonio Anero who heads Gabon Untouched, an NGO dedicated to sustainable
development through conservation and community tourism.



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/travel/2019/03/04/a-solution-to-improve-madagascars-local-economies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="A Solution To Improve Madagascar’s Local Economies (opens in a new tab)">A Solution To Improve Madagascar’s Local Economies</a>



A marginalized people in most of equatorial Africa, the
pygmies have managed to survive for several millennia by hunting in the forest
and through sustenance farming. 



They live deep in the forests and have only recently started
setting up villages near old logging roads.



In 1996, National Geographic explorer, American Michael Fay
received grants from National Geographic and Wildlife Conservation Society
(WCS) to map unexplored areas of the equatorial rainforests of Gabon.



Accompanied by 16 pygmy trackers, he walked 3,200km for 455
days, mostly along elephant trails in order to demarcate areas for
conservation. Fay, along with other agencies, convinced the then President of
Gabon, Omar Bongo, to convert 11% of the country into 13 national parks. 



In doing so, Fay became one of the greatest explorers and
conservationists of the 21st century. After watching his lectures at the
National Geographic headquarters, I was inspired to make Gabon my next
destination. National Geographic highlighted Fay’s work, along with staff
photographer Michael Nichols’&nbsp; storied
images in three feature issues and dubbed Gabon “Africa’s last Eden”.&nbsp; 



While Gabon offers everything an African traveler desires,
it is certainly not a stroll in the park. The infrastructure, being poor,
restricts road travel to only a few months each year, during the dry season. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="919" height="614" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-39804" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon1.png 919w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon1-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon1-600x401.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon1-768x513.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 919px) 100vw, 919px" /><figcaption> Gwiti-disumba ceremony of drumming and dancing in Gabon. Picture: Ramdas Iyer </figcaption></figure>



I felt safer traveling by river, since getting stuck on
roads and washed away bridges was minimal. Telephone services and electricity
did not exist in the rural areas where I was traveling.



On two occasions, once in the Waka Forest and another time
in the remote forest village of Doussala, where we are setting up the Gabon
Untouched NGO, I was feted with an amazing all night bwiti-disumba ceremony of
drumming and dancing.&nbsp; 



Bwiti is a spiritual discipline and plant-based belief of
the forest-dwelling Babongo and Fang people of Gabon and Cameroon. 



They are the originators of the use of iboga, a
mind-altering hallucinogenic root, which is central to the practice of bwiti
for thousands of years.&nbsp; 



Bwiti followers believe that the supreme being can be found
in the presence of the ancestral dead. Chief dancers in night-long rituals lead
men to the afterlife with the help of iboga. 



It turned out that Tataou, my bush tracker, was the nganga
(traditional healer) of the village.&nbsp;
Despite being under the controlled influence of iboga, he honored my
presence as patron for the evening and danced with me for some time. 



This was a surprise since only initiated members of the
tribe dance around the fire. To me, this experience represented old Africa at
its zenith and made my Gabon trip complete.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="822" height="615" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gabon4.png" alt="" class="wp-image-39805" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gabon4.png 822w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gabon4-300x224.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gabon4-600x449.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gabon4-768x575.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 822px) 100vw, 822px" /><figcaption>Traditional societies of Gabon including the Punu, Fang, Kwele and the Kota have managed to maintain their cultures despite the slow creep of modernization. Picture: Ramdas Iyer</figcaption></figure>



Equatorial rainforest envelopes 85% of Gabon’s territory,
while grasslands, large rivers, savannah and coastal lagoons make up the
rest.&nbsp; 



Gorillas, chimpanzees and elephants can be seen anywhere,
even on the beaches. While on my way to Kongou Falls, a 3.5km wide cataract of
the Ivindo River, I bumped into Dr Joseph Okoye, Executive Director of Parcs
Gabon, which manages conservation in the 13 national parks. 



He remarked that there are over 50,000 forest elephants,
25,000 gorillas and over 60,000 chimpanzees in Gabon based on a census
conducted by WCS in 2015.&nbsp; 



It certainly felt that way to me, since I was nearly
trampled by a charging elephant that emerged onto the forest trail leading to
the falls. It took me four hours by pirogue to reach my camp through pristine
rainforest, occasionally dodging whitewater coursing over dangerous rocks.&nbsp; 



Okoye informed me that less than 50 people visit the falls
each year. In this ultimate wilderness, there’s no sign of human impact for
over 150km downstream from the falls.



Hunting for bush meat is very common in Gabon. This makes
apes and monkeys very shy and one needs to penetrate deep into the jungle to
get a glimpse of them. 



It’s very common to see hanging carcasses of gazelles,
exotic monkeys, pythons, antelopes, porcupines and mongoose as you drove along
the roads. Every restaurant serves these animals, which can be both dismaying
for a conservationist and discomforting for a western traveler.



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/technology/2019/02/26/technology-is-useful-but-drones-alone-wont-save-africas-elephants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="OPINION | Technology Is Useful, But Drones Alone Won’t Save Africa’s Elephants (opens in a new tab)">OPINION | Technology Is Useful, But Drones Alone Won’t Save Africa’s Elephants</a>



Fortunately, many primatologists from the world over are
working with Parcs Gabon to habituate&nbsp;
gorillas, chimpanzees and mandrills for conservation and ecotourism. 



At the Moukalaba-Doudau National Park, I stayed in a
research encampment built by the Japanese to allow trackers find gorillas. I
spent two days in the station deep inside the park with two Japanese students,
Masaki and Miyoki. 



This is a place with no phones, electricity or food sources.
My team happily shared our non-dehydrated food with them, so science could
prosper in the park.



Fay also created Loango National Park, the crown jewel of
the park system, which is home to a stunning diversity of habitats within its
1,800sqkm range. 



The rainforest meets the ocean at Loango and it was indeed a
thrill to see elephants, buffaloes and occasionally hippos strolling on the
beach. For animal lovers, Loango is a true paradise on earth: home to forest
elephants, hippos, red forest buffalo, leopards, crocodiles, western lowland
gorillas, chimpanzees, sitatunga, duikers, a vast array of birds, a variety of
monkey species, and one of the world’s largest offshore concentrations of
humpback whales and dolphins. 



Traditional societies of Gabon including the Punu, Fang,
Kwele and the Kota have managed to maintain their cultures despite the slow
creep of modernization. The wood carving traditions here include Fang and Punu
masks, beaten copper Bakota funeral reliquaries and the ultra-modern looking
Kwele sculptures.&nbsp; 



It is well-known that West African masks had a significant
impact on 19th century artists working in the abstract style of modern European
art. Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse both shared this admiration, with Picasso
amassing a large collection of Gabonese masks. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="927" height="612" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-39807" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon2.png 927w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon2-300x198.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon2-600x396.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gabon2-768x507.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 927px) 100vw, 927px" /><figcaption> Gwiti-disumba ceremony of drumming and dancing in Gabon. Picture: Ramdas Iyer </figcaption></figure>



One of the most touching moments during my trip was my visit
to Dr Albert Schweitzer’s hospital and gravesite. The jungle hospital he set up
in 1915 is one of the greatest feats of self-sacrifice and service to humanity
and, as such, was duly recognized by the Nobel committee by awarding him the
1952 Peace&nbsp; Prize. 



The hospital at Lambaréné&nbsp;
is visited by many physicians as homage to a great medical practitioner.
I had the privilege of staying in one of the renovated rooms where many young
interns&nbsp; from around the world arrive to
perform health service and learn about tropical disease treatment.



Gabon is also gifted with oil wealth. However, the profits
from oil wealth and mining have only built the fortunes for a handful of
elites. 



The government of Ali Bongo maintains a heavy hand in the local politics while most of the citizenry does not see a trickle down effect of this wealth. 



Boko Haram, the terrorist group, has nearly 2,000 jihadists in the Cameroon, Congo, and Gabon border trading in diamonds and tusks while promoting human trafficking. 



Like elsewhere in Africa, the future of the continent’s
natural wealth is in jeopardy. The serpent has entered Eden.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1018" height="619" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/eli.png" alt="" class="wp-image-39809" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/eli.png 1018w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/eli-300x182.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/eli-600x365.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/eli-768x467.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1018px) 100vw, 1018px" /><figcaption> Dr Joseph Okoye, Executive Director of Parcs Gabon, which manages conservation in the 13 national parks, says there are over 50,000 forest elephants. Picture: Ramdas Iyer </figcaption></figure>

Gabon3

In Search Of Africa’s Last Eden

What’s in a name? For the team at Africa Communications Media Group, ACG, quite a lot, actually. An African Corporate Communications and Media Agency based in South Africa with presence in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, ACG also services the rest of Africa. 



Having worked on numerous campaigns on the continent over the years, ACG takes pride in their reach spanning across all 54 African countries. 



The journey began just under four years ago when co-founders Mimi Kalinda and Addis Alemayehou, who are both very passionate about Africa and driving her narrative, teamed up to begin what is now the first African-owned and run Pan-African Communications Agency. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="724" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Mimi-1024x724.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-39726" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Mimi-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Mimi-300x212.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Mimi-600x424.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Mimi-768x543.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Mimi.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> ACG Group CEO and Co-Founder Mimi Kalinda. Picture: Supplied</figcaption></figure>



The two were driven by the very pertinent need for African stories to be told by Africans in a way that is understanding of nuance and sensitive to the ways of the region. 



“Doing business in Africa, while very rewarding, does not come without its challenges. It requires one to fully grasp the cultures, values and needs of the local consumer. My team and I know Africa, and sometimes that means accepting the fact that while we may not be the most conversant with the ways of a certain region, there are other people who are. 



Therefore, we maintain great working relationships with our affiliate PR firms across Africa. They serve as our eyes and ears on the ground to ensure that any work we put out is relevant, culturally-attuned and timely,” says &nbsp;Mimi Kalinda, &nbsp;ACG Group Chief Executive and co-founder, on the commemoration of the company’s third anniversary. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="724" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Non-1024x724.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-39727" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Non-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Non-300x212.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Non-600x424.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Non-768x543.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Non.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> ACG Managing Director Nonye Mpho Omotola Picture: Supplied </figcaption></figure>



Public relations is fast
changing from practitioners being the gatekeepers and liaisons between client
and media; to playing an active role in the industry and, as such, the ACG team
sees innovation as the backbone behind everything they do. 



”Innovation is the backbone of everything we do at ACG. This is evidenced by the services we offer such as perception audits to better understand clients’ positioning in the market and stakeholder mapping to ensure that clients are speaking to the right audiences. 



We also have a deep understanding of the media landscape in the countries our clients want to reach, giving them the on-air presence to help tangible results with visible returns on investment.&nbsp; We play an active role in tying communication outcomes to the overall business objectives of our clients” says Nonye Mpho Omotola, ACG Managing Director



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Tuba-Mutwale-and-Nonye-Mpho-Omotola-MD-of-ACG-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-39728" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Tuba-Mutwale-and-Nonye-Mpho-Omotola-MD-of-ACG-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Tuba-Mutwale-and-Nonye-Mpho-Omotola-MD-of-ACG-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Tuba-Mutwale-and-Nonye-Mpho-Omotola-MD-of-ACG-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Tuba-Mutwale-and-Nonye-Mpho-Omotola-MD-of-ACG-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Tuba-Mutwale-and-Nonye-Mpho-Omotola-MD-of-ACG.jpeg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption> Tuba Mutwale Special Projects Coordinator and Nonye Mpho Omotola Managing Director of ACG. Picture: Supplied </figcaption></figure>



A wonderfully diverse
team, the ACG staff compliment comprises of people from Nigeria, DRC, Zambia,
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Mozambique. The agency lives up to its name by
being fully immersed in Africa and having a keen interest in the affairs and
happenings of the continent. 



When the team at FORBES
WOMAN AFRICA approached ACG to participate as activation partners in the
Leading Women Summit held at the Durban ICC, it was a natural alignment of
goals for both parties as the management and entire team at ACG are passionate
about the development of women, particularly in Africa.&nbsp; 



<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Happy happy days at ACG! Our TVC premieres today <a href="https://twitter.com/cnbcafrica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cnbcafrica</a>. Tell us what you think! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LWS2019KZN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LWS2019KZN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Africa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Africa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalWomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InternationalWomensDay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/activationpartner?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#activationpartner</a> cc <a href="https://twitter.com/addisale?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@addisale</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nonyej?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nonyej</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MKalinda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MKalinda</a> <a href="https://t.co/7ERrviIs2s">pic.twitter.com/7ERrviIs2s</a>&mdash; ACG (@ACGAfricacomms) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACGAfricacomms/status/1103188997415862272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2019</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>

Author: Forbes Woman Africa

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

Celebrating Seven Years of the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit

Dynamic speaker line-up announced for the 2022 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit

#LWS2021: Panel- Flexible Options And Agility Champions To Fuel Culture Change In The C-Suite

#LWS2021: Lessons from one of Africa’s richest

#LWS2021 The True Power Of The Collective

Clothes Encounters In The Congo: How Fashion Can Be Used As A Tool For Social Change

Africa’s Most Dynamic Thought-Leaders, Industry Game-Changers And Icons Of Social Activism Set To Feature At The Exclusive FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 2020 Leading Women Summit

Forbes Woman Africa Announces First Regional Forum In Rwanda

Refugees: The Nowhere People

IN PICTURES | 1 Year On : Remembering Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela

African Curricula That Mean Business

How Mobile Solutions Are Paying It Forward

The Robots Are Coming: How To Stay Relevant And Re-Skill Yourself

In Search Of Africa’s Last Eden

Driven By African Stories

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

Celebrating Seven Years of the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit￼

Dynamic speaker line-up announced for the 2022 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit

#LWS2021: Panel- Flexible Options And Agility Champions To Fuel Culture Change In The C-Suite

#LWS2021: Lessons from one of Africa’s richest

#LWS2021 The True Power Of The Collective

Clothes Encounters In The Congo: How Fashion Can Be Used As A Tool For Social Change

Africa’s Most Dynamic Thought-Leaders, Industry Game-Changers And Icons Of Social Activism Set To Feature At The Exclusive FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 2020 Leading Women Summit

Forbes Woman Africa Announces First Regional Forum In Rwanda

Refugees: The Nowhere People

IN PICTURES | 1 Year On : Remembering Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela

African Curricula That Mean Business

How Mobile Solutions Are Paying It Forward

The Robots Are Coming: How To Stay Relevant And Re-Skill Yourself

In Search Of Africa’s Last Eden

Driven By African Stories

Celebrating Seven Years of the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit