“Prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, corruption; non-delivery of services; lack of moral fibre; and racism were all constantly highlighted news. It seemed like the situation was becoming insurmountable,” says Lynette Finlay, CEO of Finlay & Associates. “So we asked, ‘What could change the current course of events?’ and ‘Can women, and more importantly, a collective group of women get together and debate a role for women to change the course of our country?’”
As a result, Wendy Luhabe and Lynette Finlay, conceived and mapped out the idea of the inaugural legacy dialogue. “The idea behind it is to move away from the conventional format of a group of conference speakers providing viewpoints, to one of engagement of people to discuss what needs to change in our society and the economy and the role women can play in bringing about a different outcome,” says Luhabe.
Women leaders from government; the corporate sector; private enterprise; and civil society were approached and invited to participate. These speakers will provide insight into the various aspects of our country; civil society; and the economy, after which dialogues within small, breakaway discussion groups will commence. These dialogues will be on topics such as - unemployment; rape and abuse of women and children; education; funding policies to bring about social change; models for growing the economy and redistribution of income; the role for women leaders; and what does it mean to be a responsible citizen of South Africa, to list a few.
The idea is that each discussion group will produce three key action points that will be posted for all delegates to vote on during the conference. It is hoped that by the end of the conference, 300 people will have committed their support and action to materially changing or developing crucial ideas for the growth of our nation.
Speakers and dialogue hosts
· Minister, Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education
· Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, Premier of Gauteng
· Premier, Helen Zille, Leader of the Democratic Alliance and Premier of the Western Cape
· Deputy Secretary General Thandi Modise, Deputy Secretary General ANC
· Monhla Hlahla, CEO, ACSA
· Phuti Malabie, MD, Shanduka Energy
· Dr Miriam Altman, Executive Director: Centre for Poverty, Employment and Growth
· Dorianne Weil 'Dr D', clinical and organisational psychologist, radio and TV host, mediator, trainer and international speaker
· Dr Lungile Ntombifuthi Bhengu-Baloyi, Director: M&M Development & Social Justice Advocates; social entrepreneur; personal development and transformation practitioner; social justice advocate; inspirational speaker; and author
· Claire Reid, inventor and Director, Reel Gardening
· Nicky Newton-King, deputy CEO, Johannesburg Stock Exchange
· Nthobi Angel, Chairperson, Kagiso Trust Investments
· Wendy Appelbaum, director of companies, chair De Morgenzon Estate
· Jenny Cargill, Founder, Businessmap Investment Strategy Advisers
· Khanyi Dhlomo, MD, Ndalo Media; Editor,
Destiny Magazine· Marianne Fassler, leading fashion designer
· Oya Hazel Gumede, director, Ashira Legal Advisors
· Heather Jackson, head: Socially Responsible Investments Asset Management, Cadiz
· Joan Joffe, consultant in IT and telecoms sector, venture catalyst
· Kunyalala Maphisa, National President and CEO, Businesswomen’s Association
· Nina Morris, CEO, MorrisJones&co
· Futhi Mtoba, partner and Deputy Chairman of the board Deloitte
· Liz Naidoo, CFO and Group Financial Director, Datacentrix
· Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, past Deputy President of South Africa
· Pulane Kingston
· Donna Oosthuyse, MD and GM, Citi South Africa
· Carole Podetti Ngono, Founder and MD, Valued Citizens Initiative
· Jane Raphaely, Chairperson, Associated Magazines
· Monica Rubombora, Senior Executive, Accenture
· Monica Singer, CEO, Strate
· Andrea Spilhaus-Mitchell, Business Development Director, Accenture SA
· Gillian Saunders, Principal, Grant Thornton
The dialogue convenors at the event will be Wendy Luhabe, social entrepreneur, chairman, director of companies and author, and Lynette Finlay, CEO of Finlay & Associates. Vodacom and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, as sponsors, recognise the importance of a dialogue of this nature and the benefits it can bring about for the country as a whole.
“This will be a historic conversation among women leaders. Women need to realise that they have a responsibility towards shaping South Africa. The format allows for a rich exchange of views and will allow women to articulate and identify key features for a change in the direction of the country,” advises Wendy Luhabe.
“It is fortunate that this event is taking place after the World Cup. As having successfully hosted such a momentous event, South Africans are feeling more positive towards the fact that they can, and we believe this will bring about a positive energy and a belief that we all can, in some way make a difference.”
“The event is intended to be an annual event, with greater participation from the various provinces. We are hoping to broadcast plenary sessions to all community radio stations, and we are negotiating to publish a book to capture the key challenges we face and possible solutions,” states Finlay.
“We need to shift August (Women’s month events) to something more meaningful and substantial. We want women to recognise that a few women can change some things, but if we all get involved, we can change everything. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for all South Africans to impact on the events of the next five years through meaningful dialogue and interventions,” concludes Luhabe.
Finlay Events and Promotions is hosting the event at the Sandton Sun Conference Centre and the beneficiary of this event is Nurturing Orphans of Aids for Humanity (NOAH), the charity supported by Finlay Events and Promotions. There will be other charities showcased at the event that many of the leading women at the event have started or currently support. There will be a cocktail function after the dialogue hosted by the Sandton Sun
For more information, contact Angela Clark on
[email protected] or visit
www.womensdialogue.co.za.