TOP female South African minds will descend on Nelson Mandela Bay next weekend when the Arise African Businesswoman networking conference is held. The first annual event, organised by Port Elizabeth's female-owned Vision4 Academy, will be held at the Bayworld conference centre on Saturday October 12.
Vision4 owner Nosi Ncoyo – a finalist in The Herald Citizen of the Year competition – said the conference was a way to inspire women to take up business opportunities.
"Vision4 women events have themes which carry the purpose of each event. Arise African Businesswoman aims to empower and inspire local women to take pride in being African business leaders and fully participate in economic opportunities both locally and internationally.
"To bring this conference together we were inspired by research conducted by Standard Chartered Bank in celebrating [the centenary of] International Women's Day, which highlighted the pivotal role that women can play in Africa's future growth trajectory.
"The research has shown that, when economically empowered, women are responsible for disposable income within the family. They are more likely to invest money in the future human capital of society and therefore empowering women is synonymous with investing in the future of Africa and a sustainable growth path," she said.
The conference will feature speakers Elillox Group MD and the youngest member of the National Planning Commission, Dr Bridgette Gasa, head consultant and founder of Maua Coaching and Facilitation Thulisile Mhlungu, station manager of TruFm and a former winner of the Eastern Cape Women in ICT Award Thobeka Buswana, president of the International Women's Forum South Africa Dr Vuyo Mahlati and The Herald's La Femme editor Gillian McAinsh.
They will speak on an array of subjects including tips and strategies on how African businesswomen can position themselves to participate fully in international economic opportunities, old and new media as a marketing tool for business and inspiring and encouraging in the businesswomen a sense of African pride.
Tickets are R200 per person.
Further information from Salang, (041)586-0056 or e-mail info@vision4. co.za