MORE EMPOWERED WOMEN REQUIRED IN BOARDS OF COMPANIES - MP BUSINESSWOMAN

MORE EMPOWERED WOMEN REQUIRED IN BOARDS OF COMPANIES - MP BUSINESSWOMAN

A Mpumalanga businesswoman who will be receiving a Certificate in Corporate Governance from the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina in Pretoria this month, believes that more women need to be trained to take positions in the boards of companies. Ms Melody Kweba is an eMalahleni-based businesswoman operating in the mining industry. She completed a Corporate Governance Development Programme offered by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through the Institute of Directors South Africa. the dti initiated the Programme in 2013 with the aim of empowering women and preparing them for positions in the boards of public and private entities.

“I would not hesitate to recommend the course for any businesswoman because corporate governance issues are crucial for any business or organisation. We need to equip more women in this country with the necessary skills and expertise to take their rightful positions in the boards of companies. These boards are still dominated by men. The pace of transformation is still very slow but a woman who is appointed on to a board of a company ill-equipped will just be a token and will not add much value if she is not trained in various aspects of corporate governance. For women to make a meaningful contribution in the boards, they need to be developed. the dti Programme has proved to be really valuable in this regard,” says Kweba.

She learnt about the Programme while she was attending the Global Women’s Summit in Malaysia where she was invited by the former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe. She did not think twice before attending and was among the first group of women who participated in the Programme. Now the information and experience she acquired have enhanced her stature in the boards of companies she is serving in.

Kweba, a 43-year-old mother of three, is a prominent Mpumalanga businesswoman who is recognised beyond the province and the borders of South Africa. She is the president of the South African Women in Mining Association (SAWIMA) and the chairperson of the Mpumalanga chapter of the organisation. She is also the President of the African Women in Mining Association. 

In her capacity as the leader of the continental organisation, she addressed African ministers of mining in a session at the Africa Mining Indaba, a prestigious mining conference which takes place in Cape Town annually. The event is attended by the who’s who of the mining industry from Africa and various parts of the world.

“I was inspired by the response of the African ministers of mining to my plea for their governments to provide support to businesswomen in their respective countries. After the meeting, many came to me and pledged their support. That was something really positive,” recalls Kweba.

She said businesswomen, particularly those in the mining sector, are still experience a serious problem when it comes to access to funding.

“I know of women who received prospective mining licences but ended up selling them because of the frustration,” says Kweba, who owns Emalahleni Colliery. She is also member of the Board of Main Street 333, a shareholder in Exxaro, as well as the Chairperson of Basadi Ba Kopane Investment.