SWEEP has a unique mission to equip female students with the skills and support needed for entrepreneurial success while addressing the challenges of gender-based violence and the under-representation of women in entrepreneurship.
This year’s conference, themed ‘Nurturing Women Leadership and Empowerment,’ marked a significant step toward fostering women's leadership and entrepreneurial skills and offered business insights and advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs.
The conference also served as a powerful platform for women to share their stories, network, and learn from one another. It underscored the University of Mpumalanga’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for female students and entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in a challenging world.
UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso, noted that in a society that still suffers from patriarchy and toxic masculinity, leadership poses serious challenges for female leaders.
“The attitudes of wholeness, sufficiency, and the abundance mindset, are critical for female leaders. This demonstrates that as an institution we do more than talk.
The university also walks with you on every point where we can contribute to this important development of ensuring that female students succeed in their ventures.”
Female students were encouraged to balance masculine and female traits.
She further stated that UMP is committed to women’s empowerment and is serious about driving female students to become successful in their entrepreneurship journey.
“Hosting a conference of this nature demonstrates that the institution can do more than talk; we take action to ensure that student women succeed in their ventures.
She also explained that the mission of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator is to nurture student business ideas and provide a platform for peer learning, collaboration, and networking.
“At the University of Mpumalanga, we seek to produce graduates who are intellectually curious, independent, creative, and critical thinkers, able to innovate by applying their knowledge and skills to solve novel problems for sustainable development,” she said.
Entrepreneurship development expert, academic, researcher and former Director of Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), Nora Clarke, added that self-awareness, adaptability, and balancing masculine and feminine traits in the workplace are important in addressing challenges and opportunities for women in leadership and entrepreneurship.
“Overcoming gender-related stereotypes and conveying confidence and authority in the workplace is crucial. There’s a need for women to be recognised and respected for their contributions.”
Clarke also highlighted the systemic challenges women face in leadership roles, particularly in a society still grappling with patriarchy and toxic masculinity. She urged women to adopt a mindset of abundance and sufficiency.
Women shared their journeys and insights to inspire others.
“Leadership poses serious challenges for female leaders, but adopting the attitudes of wholeness and the mindset of abundance is critical.
Many of us have learned to make ourselves small in front of authority figures, often men. But in the world of business, we must pull our shoulders back, make ourselves big, and present ourselves with confidence.”
Clarke also touched on personal branding and self-empowerment, encouraging women to reclaim their economic power by making their own money and succeeding in their businesses.
“We have given our power away early in our lives, not by choice. It's time to reclaim your power, reclaim your economic power. Make your own money, make your own business succeed,” she said.
The panel of successful women entrepreneurs from Mpumalanga shared their journeys, offering insights and advice to aspiring female leaders.
The highlight of the event was the surprise awarding of certificates to three female students who are active members of UMP SWEEP, acknowledging their dedication and achievements. The recipients were:
- Nomcebo Shongwe was honoured for demonstrating creativity.
- Phomelelo Mashikara Mahlatji was honoured for demonstrating a sustainable business.
- Alucia Malle Sebasha was honoured for demonstrating an information presentation.
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.