Eastern Cape-born and bred businesswoman Nosipho Siwisa-Damasane launches her motivational book, Finding the Woman Within, in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday, November 14.
Now the chairman of Richards Bay Coal Terminal, Siwisa-Damasane said its sub-title, “How to Thrive in a Male Dominated Society”, was also a message contained in its pages.
“It is about how to make it in the tough realities of male-dominated industries,” she said.
At the launch at the GFI Art Gallery the author will give context to the book and “allow people to converse openly and ask questions”.
“There will be other Sheros in the room who have gone though worse and we would like to hear from them too.”
Siwisa-Damasane is herself a “Shero” – she grew up in Peddie and now travels internationally in her career as an award-winning CEO and logistics authority, and is actively involved in port (including shipping), rail and mining logistics and infrastructure development.
Throughout her career she too has seen the need to “find the woman within”.
“There are fundamental challenges facing women around the world with gender [based] and domestic violence and women abuse,” Siwisa-Damasane said.
“This book is focusing on a different sphere, it talks to the realities of the boardroom and women’s leadership which is another war that is not always talked about.
“I have used my real life story in corporate South Africa, focusing on the pros and cons. The story is meant to mentor the young upcoming generations and women in leadership, with real events and approaches to consider when tasked to lead.”
Most importantly, she said, she wanted to convey the message that even if someone came from a rural area, like she had, “it is possible to grow up in a dusty town and end up in global corporate boardroom”.
The launch is at 6pm on November 14 at the Park Drive gallery and tickets are R100 which includes snacks. As seating is limited, RSVP to Michelle Brown, e-mail michelle.brown@axxess.co.za Published by Vishal Moerjario in the UK, Finding The Woman Within is on sale at Amazon for R295.