“We celebrate women who lead with purpose, those who reshape boundaries and who inspire us all to strive for the greatness that dwells within us…”
The International Women’s Forum South Africa (IWFSA) has celebrated three women of courage and grace who have broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings while supporting and elevating other women along the way.
At the third ceremony dubbed IWF Hall of Femme Awards supported by the organisation’s focus areas of themed Ignite, Inspire and impact, the South African chapter of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) inducted Monica Geingos, Former First Lady of the Republic of Namibia, Wendy Ackerman, who founded Pick ‘n Pay Holdings Limited with her late husband, Raymond Ackerman and Dr Naledi Pandor, former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa.
“We celebrate women who lead with purpose, those who reshape boundaries and who inspire us all to strive for the greatness that dwells within us,” said Nolitha Fakude, President IWFSA at the ceremony held at the Marriot Hotel in Melrose Arch.
In its third year, IWFSA Hall of Femme recognises women who have dedicated their lives and careers to the pursuit of empowerment, advancing women’s leadership on a global scale.
Geingos is a lawyer, businesswoman who runs private equity fund and her country’s first digitally enabled commercial bank and has been recognised as one of the “100 Most Reputable Africans,” and one of the “100 Most Influential African Women.”
“What motivates me is the idea that by ensuring a brighter future for women, especially young women and adolescent girls, they will escape from hopelessness,” she said when accepting the award.
Praised as one of the most principled and dynamic ministers in her time, Dr Pandor credits her leadership and love for education to her anti-apartheid activist parents, Joe and Fikile Matthews.
Celebrated for her fearless advocacy of gender equality, Dr Pandor has also served as Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Home Affairs and Education.
“We all have the urgent task of raising our voices to advocate for women’s empowerment across all sectors of our society and we should become practical activists in support of gender equality,” she said when accepting the award.
Passionate about her family’s philanthropic endeavors and her work with the underprivileged, Wendy Ackerman has been actively involved in the Pick n Pay Group’s development of employee benefits and their welfare.
She has not only contributed to the building of a formidable and socially responsible retail empire, Pick n Pay Stores, but has also devoted her life to making a difference to others in South Africa.
“To all women, just remember that anything is within your reach. You have to stand up to take it. It is within yourself. Set achievable goals and do it one step at a time,” she said while relating how she and her late husband built Pick n Pay.
“Here is to celebrating extraordinary women and to creating a world where our collective and diverse impact knows no bounds. Here is to strong women. May we know them, may we raise them, may we be them,” said Margaret Nienaber, Standard Bank Group’s Chief Operating Officer and sponsors of the awards.
“Standard Bank’s purpose, “Africa is our home, we drive our growth, is deeply aligned with empowering individuals and communities to drive progress,” said Nienaber, who is also IWFSA Vice President.
The prestigious awards are open to IWFSA members and select invitees only.
Over the years, the awards have served as an inspiration for gender equity by highlighting the commitment and relentless drive of women who not only excel in their respective fields, but also open doors for the next generation of leaders.
This year’s keynote speaker was Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, former senior vice president of the African Development Bank, who has been endorsed by the South African cabinet for the candidacy of the position of President of the African Development Bank in 2025. She is currently the only female candidate.
The IWFSA, founded by former First Lady, Zanele Mbeki in 1999, forms the South African arm of the International Women’s Forum, a formidable organisation comprising over 7,500 distinguished members from 36 nations and spanning six continents.
Across the 36 nations and six continents, the IWF advances women’s leadership across careers, cultures and continents by connecting the world’s most pre-eminent women of significant and diverse achievements.
“The IWFSA Hall of Femme Awards, is a proud celebration of excellence and a bold affirmation of women as transformative, purpose-driven leaders. Our mandate — no, let me rephrase that, our womandate — is to recognise and uplift the women who are changing the landscape of leadership across this country and this continent and who, in so doing, are breaking barriers and passing the torch to future generations,” said Fakude.
#sapositivenews