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All roads led to Durban in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province for the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 2020 Leading Women Summit that brought together a star-studded gathering of female leaders and A-listers from across Africa and beyond.



On March 6, at the fifth annual FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit, held for the second time in Durban, a galaxy of Africa’s stars drawn from business, arts, sports, politics and public life, descended at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex for a power-packed day of talks and discussions that centered on one topic: the advancement of women.



Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, about 800 attendees hobnobbed with some of Africa’s most powerful women in the same room, at the one-day event themed ‘The Ceiling Crashers 2.0: Power With Purpose’, hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and presented by Mastercard.



The air was redolent with excitement as the event opened to a full house with seasoned dancers moving to the melody of Grammy-award winning artist Beyoncé’s song, Spirit.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44062" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-300x451.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-600x901.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1120.jpg 719w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /><figcaption>Nomusa Dube-Ncube</figcaption></figure>



In her opening speech, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism &amp; Environmental Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, said the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is about reawakening the spirit of sisterhood and strengthening the solidarity among African women. “We are here to remind each other that our fate is bound together. The summit gives us that opportunity to recharge, redefine our steps in the fight of the dignity of the African woman irrespective of which part of the globe we may be coming from.”



One of the opening keynote speakers was Suzanne Morel, Country Manager, Mastercard South Africa, who provided insight on unlocking new innovations and opportunities for women in the global financial economy. “Inequality and exclusion still holds girls and women back in many aspects of their everyday lives. While positive steps have been taken to level the playing field, too much of the world is still designed without women in mind and without women involved,” she noted.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44064" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-1108.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Renuka Methil</figcaption></figure>



In her welcome address, Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA and FORBES AFRICA, described the summit as “a live 4D interpretation of the magazines”, adding that “it has become pertinent to convene and re-convene such gatherings to increase the decibel on the progress women have made and that it just cannot be business as usual as we need to double our efforts in catalyzing gender parity”.



During her talk on ‘Restructuring the C-Suite model in the 4IR era’, Dr Judy Dlamini, Founder, Mbekani Group, said “over time, people have realized we’ve got to have an inclusive culture; that inclusive culture is driven by the CEO”.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44059" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-2791.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



One of the most popular panels on the day was when mother and daughter duo, Dr Naledi Pandor and Dr Aisha Pandor, stepped on stage for an inspiring discussion on ‘How to raise a CEO’.



Among other highlights, a one-to-one with Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes, also an entrepreneur, ensued, while award-winning South African songstress Lira delivered a soulful talk on finding her tune in business.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44058" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4053.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The summit’s most powerful segment, called ‘In the Spotlight’, unraveled, featuring inspirational women such as DJ Zinhle, Bogolo Kenewendo, Malaika Uwamahoro, Ranya Kargbo, Caitlin Rooskrantz, Nozuko Teto, Londy Ngcobo, Jaishree Naidoo, and Lebohang Lebogo, all of who received a standing ovation in the end.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44061" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-4201.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The audience, eager to be inspired and informed, were treated to riveting conversations that included a panel discussion based on the March issues of FORBES AFRICA and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA featuring an unprecedented, unranked list of ‘Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women’, and on the panel were Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Olajumoke Adenowo, Glenda Gray and Bonang Matheba. 



The evening of the summit unfolded with the glittering FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Gala Dinner at the same venue punctuated with awards. The red carpet witnessed A-list African glamor at its best.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44065" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5167.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Rakesh Wahi</figcaption></figure>



In his opening address, Rakesh Wahi, Vice Chairman of the ABN Group and founder and publisher of FORBES WOMAN AFRICA and FORBES AFRICA, emphasized the education of women. “I implore everyone in this room to pay more attention to this aspect of imbalance, particularly in the rural areas of our society. If you educate one girl in your lifetime, you will be part of the change needed and not part of a compromise that is expected,” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44066" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-600x399.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-5577.jpg 1623w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma</figcaption></figure>



The awards recognized some of Africa’s most impactful women. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa’s Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, was honored with the Legacy Award and received a standing ovation as she made her way to the podium. “I was very inspired today when I saw young women doing what was thought to be impossible. We want more women to succeed,” she said, concluding the dazzling awards night, even as DJ Zinhle, also a winner, took to the stage with her electrifying house music.



WINNERS OF THE 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA AWARDS:



Forbes Woman Africa



Gen Y Award



Nthabiseng Mosia, Founder,



Easy Solar, Sierra Leone



Forbes Woman Africa Technology and



Innovation Award



Dr Aisha Pandor, Co-founder,



SweepSouth, South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Entertainer Award



DJ Zinhle, South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Entrepreneur Award



Olajumoke Adenowo, Founder,



Ad Consulting, Nigeria



Forbes Woman Africa Male Gender Advocate Award



Bafana Khumalo, Co-founder,



Sonke Gender Justice, South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Social Impact Award



Charmaine Mabuza, Co-founder, Zamani Holdings, South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Pioneer Award



Irene Charnley, Founder and Deputy Chairman, Smile Telecoms,



South Africa



Forbes Woman Africa



Chairperson Award



Ibukun Awosika, Chairman,



First Bank of Nigeria



Forbes Woman Africa



Legacy Award



Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, South Africa

Forbes LWS2020KZN-5816

#LWS2020KZN: Power, Profit And Purpose With Africa’s Ceiling Crashers

At the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal on March 6, DJ Zinhle shone in the spotlight, talking about her journey from rock-bottom to record-breaking. 



As the
woman responsible for South Africa’s My Name Is hit song
makes her way onto the stage, there is rapturous applause from a 1,000 strong
audience, gathered at Durban’s international convention center for the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit.



Zinhle
Jiyane, popularly known as DJ Zinhle, walks up to the solo stage with her
four-year-old daughter, Kairo Forbes, who she calls one of her “biggest
achievements”.



South
Africa’s award-winning DJ and media personality presents an inspirational
speech during the summit’s #SPOTLIGHT session.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.forbeswomanafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-3991-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41543"/></figure>



“You’re lazy. You’re extremely lazy,” cites Zinhle as the words that shaped her into the woman she is today.



As a
child, Zinhle, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal, was heartbroken every time she was
called lazy.



“I knew I was a creative at heart. My lack of interest in limited career options and the mundane robotic task of drying the dishes didn’t really appeal to me. That’s the thing that got me the title ‘vila voco’ (meaning an extremely lazy person in English).”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Despite
that, Zinhle went on to pursue a BCom in marketing
at the University of Johannesburg. Graduating at the top of her class gave her the first dose of confidence.



“It was
possible. Although ‘vila voco’ might have been ringing in my head, at least I knew that it was possible to put in
the hard work and get
good results. That gave me all the confidence I need to
take over the world.
And that’s exactly what I did.”



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbeswomanafrica.com/woman/2020/03/11/lws2020kzn-the-forbes-woman-africa-2020-leading-women-summit-sets-the-bar-high-for-2021/">The FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 2020 Leading Women Summit Sets The Bar High For 2021</a>



Her new
found self-assurance propelled her to do more.



“In
2009, I launched Fuse Academy, the first and only DJ female academy in South Africa. Ten years later, the academy has
produced working DJs in
the industry that have contributed largely to the overall
entertainment
industry.”



After
eight years of resilience in the music industry, she finally scored her big break. 



“I had a song called My Name Is featuring Busiswa which became one of the biggest songs in 2012, not only in South Africa, but in most parts of Africa. This song was special to me because for the first time I knew what real success was. It was an exciting time for me as a woman”.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.forbeswomanafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Forbes-LWS2020KZN-3999-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41542"/></figure>



Music
has always been the DJ’s first love, so while one hand was on the decks, she
tried the other hand at entrepreneurship.



“In 2013, I launched my jewelry business, Era By DJ Zinhle. Seven years later, my pride and joy is the first black female owned business to distribute through American Swiss.”



The hit
maker has been vocal about the importance of female empowerment. Her
involvement in a project seeking to do just this inspired her to put pen to
paper.



“In
2017, I joined a very important project called ‘It Takes A Village’ on SABC1 focusing on 11
young women who needed to deal with the demons
of their past. My role was to help them through this process, and help them find a better future for themselves. Spending time
with these incredible
ladies inspired me to write a book.”



Along with Nokubonga Mbanga, Zinhle published a book called Meeting Your Power that went on to become a best-seller.



READ MORE | <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/arts/2019/04/10/noami-campbell-has-big-plans-for-africa/">Naomi Campbell Has Big Plans For Africa</a>



Her new
hit Umlilo featuring Mvzzle &amp; Rethabile is her
latest achievement. The song, which means ‘fire’, was one of the biggest hits
to come out of South Africa in 2019.



“I’m very
proud of this song. Umlilo was out for
three months and had already reached platinum. It had over five million streams
in two months. Over and above that, it was crowned the crossover song by Metro
FM and many other radio stations. The last time Metro FM had a female-led song
as the crossover song of the year was in 1997 when Brenda Fassie took it with Vulindlela.”



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.forbeswomanafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pic-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41518"/></figure>



On March 6, Zinhle also won the 2020 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Entertainer Award.

Forbes LWS2020KZN-3918

DJ Zinhle: The ‘Lazy Kid’ Who Achieved Platinum Success

KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is not just azure seas and white beaches. It is increasingly drawing business and the MICE sector to its sunny coast, says Sonto Mayise. 

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa offers a breath-taking vignette of visuals, ranging from the majestic mountains to the azure sea and white beaches. But it also boasts convention centers that bring travelers from the rest of Africa and beyond. Sonto Mayise, the Acting Chief of the Convention Bureau, says you can have the views, the world-class hotels and state-of-the-art conference centers but they mean nothing without the warmth of the people. She tells us how business tourism is growing in KZN and its coastal city Durban:
What are the main attractions in Durban at this moment?
It comes down to what you see when you land. The beauty of our people in the Zulu Kingdom takes it all. You come in and people smile at you, they are welcoming. It is an attraction of its own. It’s the first-hand experience you give a traveler that will make a lasting impression.
How are you attracting business to KZN? 
I see my mandate in terms of going after events and bringing conferences, meetings and exhibitions to destination Durban and KZN; over and above the mandate of bidding for events, of making sure that you give all the support required, you need to make sure you create relationships and that you maintain and nurture them as well.
What are the trends you have noticed in terms of tourism in general in KZN? 
There is a shift in terms of people knowing about Durban as a [leisure] destination. The ICC in Durban is rated as the leading convention center in Africa. We say as a gateway, as Durban, we have what you need in terms of hosting big events. I’ve picked up that people always come as business tourists and a few months down the line or in a year, they come back as tourists. It is like killing two birds with one stone.
<a href="http://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2018/10/01/all-roads-to-the-economic-powerhouse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE: All Roads To The Economic Powerhouse</a>
How does the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) industry here compare with Cape Town, Gauteng and the rest of Africa? 
Internationally, people think of Cape Town and Gauteng as ideal provinces to bring business to and often ask where Durban is. We work twice as hard in promoting Durban as a gateway. We are not only promoting Durban but the KZN province as a gateway. We are still in a space where we compete with Cape Town; in instances, it will be leading in conferences, but in terms of delegate numbers, Durban will always be the highest. More and more people are having big conferences in Durban. We can name the World Economic Forum we hosted in 2016, the AIDS conference which was the biggest in 2016 and the BRICS Business Council we just hosted.
What are the top business sectors Durban attracts? 
This is about creating relationships more than anything else. That is part of the mandate for bidding for events. This is confirmation that I am doing something right in the industry. They can see the best that we are doing in KZN and now we are taking the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit to Durban [in 2019]. There is much that still needs to be done so we can change and also empower our black people and young women in the MICE industry.
How has the maritime industry developed in recent years? 
The moment you grow the maritime sector, the more you grow the business events sector. We have one of the biggest ports in Durban so when people want an event in the cargo space, they can’t go to Johannesburg or Cape Town. They need to go to Durban and they can only do that if we grow the sector as a maritime destination.

Tag: KZN

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

In Its Own Sweet Time: Sustainability And Innovation In South Africa’s Sugar Industry

#LWS2020KZN: Power, Profit And Purpose With Africa’s Ceiling Crashers

DJ Zinhle: The ‘Lazy Kid’ Who Achieved Platinum Success

Where Conferences Meet The Coast