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Leadership development

Woman Of Substance

Background

Woman of Substance is an event that honours and recognises South Africa’s most exceptional women achievers.

The award is held in a banquet style and is an annual flagship event, launched in 2005, where a carefully chosen woman is honoured and presented with the award of ‘AWCA Woman of Substance’.

  • Recognition is given to a woman who has played a significant role in uplifting the role of black women in accounting, audit and financial professions
  • Eroding stereotypes and breaking down barriers for the creation of opportunities for the participation of black women in key strategic areas of business
  • Mentoring young women in professional careers in business towards leadership roles
  • Participated in society by contributing towards social upliftment in communities which they come from or any other communities in South Africa or rest of continent
  • Paving way for other women to participate in key areas of business
  • In addition these women would possess leadership qualities and have played a key role in championing the empowerment of women in general in different sectors of business

Women who have been recognised

  • 2005 - The late Minister Stella Sigcau, who as the then Minister of Public Enterprises ensured participation of black women in the offering of professional services in state owned enterprises
  • 2006 - Ms. Gloria Serobe, who has firmly established herself as a giant in South African business and has used her positions of influence to ensure that women are empowered and brought into the mainstream of our economy
  • 2007 - Ms Wendy Luhabe, one of the leading women entrepreneurs of the world, who had a significant impact in the development of AWCA and other black women organisations, in SA
  • 2008 - Ms Sindi Zilwa, a founder member of AWCA, and the second black woman to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa, who has such passion for transformation and empowerment, she has tirelessly dedicated herself to breaking down barriers for black women in all spheres of business. 
  • 2009 - Ms Monhla Hlahla, a patron of AWCA and a pioneer who has shown that women can succeed in any male dominated industry if they put their minds to it. She has contributed immensely towards the South African economy and infrastructure development, and her devotion to mentorship and development has underpinned her success as a young leader
  • 2010 - Ms Nonkululeko Gobodo, a patron of AWCA, who is the first black woman to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in 1987, who made it possible for young black South Africans that it is possible to become a Chartered Accountant. In addition, she has been instrumental in breaking the social and business stereotypes, thereby becoming a trailblazer for young women wanting to venture into business. She has been a mentor and spiritual leader throughout her journey
  • 2011 - The Woman of Subatance Award went to well deserving Ms. Futhi Mtoba. Ms Mtoba is the chairman of Deloitte and current president of Business Unity South Africa.

Other benefits for Woman of Substance

In addition to bestowing the Woman of Substance award, the dinner is a fundraising platform for the AWCA Bursary Fund, which is intended to assist previously disadvantaged African women who aspire to become CA’s. The AWCA Bursary Fund has evolved over the years to include a portion which is administered under the auspices of the Thuthuka Bursary Fund, operated by SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants).

 

© 2012 AWCA