CAPE TOWN - Business report on Friday launched its first Women in Business dialogue with the aim to address the challenges and to help create opportunities for women in the world of business.
Adri Senekal de Wet Executive Editor of Business Report said: "Sharing experiences enables us to identify how we can help others."
Executive Editor of Business Report @AdriWet @AdriSenekaldewe wants the event to become a space where women share their stories of growth and struggles as they worked their way to the top. #womensmonth #BRWIB #WomeninBusiness pic.twitter.com/fCnj0gvXbU
— Business Report (@busrep) August 31, 2018
The panel at the event comprised four women: Mayor of Cape Town Patricia De Lille, Leonora De Souza Zilwa of the City of Cape Town, Rosheda Muller of the South African Traders Alliance (Saita) and Thozama Gwente of the United Khayelitsha Informal Traders Association (Ukita).
De Lille opened the discussion by stating that she was at the event today to listen to the real stories of women and their growth.
"The reason why I am here today is to listen to the experiences of women who have done it themselves, that have navigated through all of these stumbling blocks and hassles that we all experience.
"These women are out in the economy claiming their space in Cape Town and across the country," said De Lille.
Rosheda Muller of Saita was the second speaker on the panel and took the opportunity to discuss the challenges of the people in the informal traders sector.
" What many people do not know is that the informal sector is growing an contributing heavily to the SA economy", said Muller.
Thozama Gwente of the Ukita put an emphasis on the lack of education in the informal sector and mentioned that women need training.
"Most women in the sector need help with education so that they can understand the laws of the City when running their informal businesses," said Gwente.
The last speaker on the panel, Leonora De Souza Zilwa focused on women in the film industry and the challenges that they face.
Leonora De Souza Zilwa of the @CityofCT wants to change the film and media industry for female entrepreneurs. #WomensMonth #BRWIB #WomenInBusiness #film #MediaMatters pic.twitter.com/SgSwOC5EIe
— Business Report (@busrep) August 31, 2018
According to De Souza Zilwa, in the film industry, before, in order to make a name for yourself, you had to know the "right" people but now the City of Cape Town wants to change that perspective.
"We want to change the way things work in the industry and give people the opportunity especially women to grow their businesses by creating events that allow them to network with other professionals.
"For example, Before the film festival starts this October we want to create a speed dating event where professionals can mingle to build partnerships and transform the industry." said De Souza Zilwa.
In the future, Business Report plans to expand the event to other cities in South Africa to broaden the discussion and to create awareness for all the women of the nation.
WATCH:
I am at @busrep today talking with women about running and doing business. These women are out in the economy claiming their space in Cape Town and across the country. #WomenInBusiness #WomensMonth pic.twitter.com/kUBHSgEprF
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) August 31, 2018
An inside view of the event before the guests took their seats.
The room is ready and the speakers will join us soon. Tune in. #WomensMonth #BRWIB #WomenInBusiness @busrep @IOL