Women of the Future finalists announced

Johannesburg - Finalists of the Santam Women of the Future Awards, in association with Fairlady and Truelove, have been announced.

The awards judges are Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers SA; Thuli Madonsela, chair of Social Justice at Stellenbosch University; Dawn Nathan-Jones, entrepreneur and CEO at Over the Rainbow; Enid Lizamore, executive head of Human Resources at Santam; Suzy Brokensha, Fairlady editor-in-chief and Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa, Truelove editor-in-chief.

Brokensha says: “These finalists make me excited about the future, which these awards are about, showcasing talented, determined women helping to transform the South African landscape, in terms of our economy and society.”

Zwane-Siguqa says: “We are thrilled with the number of quality entries we received this year as we rebuild after the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Each of these finalists held it together over the past two years and deserves recognition for keeping their businesses alive through an unprecedented period.”

The Woman of the Future title is awarded to an entrepreneur aged 30 or more, whose business is over 1 000 days old and is on her way to establishing an extensive enterprise.

Matsidiso Kolobe is of Leseli Creative, a digital agency that brings an African narrative to local brands through indigenous languages by creating innovative strategies, animations and web developments.

“If you think you are too small to make an impact, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room,” Kolobe says.

Monalisa Zwambila is of the Riverbed, a woman-owned marketing agency that provides integrated communications services to bluechip and global clients. “As women we have to renegotiate our roles to ensure that we have the support we need to succeed,” she says.

Cheryl Ingram is of The Media Digital Collective, a specialist e-commerce team that partners with brands to help build successful e-commerce presence. “I have invested energy to build something that is not just another agency,” Ingram says.

The Social Entrepreneur award is for an entrepreneur aged 30 or older, who is making a difference in her community; and her business has survived the first 1 000 days.

Kate Brim-Senekal is of Sparrow Society, an empowerment brand that focuses on creating economic opportunities for women to subvert gender-based violence and other social inequalities. “Providing viable economic opportunities for women affects the power differentials in the home and the community that create a breeding ground for abuse and exploitation,” she says.

Janna Kretzmar is of the Earthchild Project, which offers complementary education to under-resourced schools in Khayelitsha and Lavender Hill in Cape Town, focusing on the environment, health and life skills.

“Children in these communities face a deluge of daily challenges. For them to reach their full potential a balanced education that encompasses social, physical and emotional needs, in addition to academic welfare, is required,” she says.

Cherry Armstrong is of Celebrate Life SA. Through the Ubuntu Breadmaking Oven Project, this organisation has dedicated the past five years to implementing micro bakeries in rural areas. “We create opportunities, feed communities and empower women,” Armstrong says.

The Rising Star title is awarded to an entrepreneur aged between 16 and 30, within her first 1 000 days, but whose business, the judges believe, will flourish way beyond them.

Amahle Ntshinga is of Luntu, an online store that sources products from suppliers in marginalised groups. Today Luntu is doing business in 24 countries across six continents.

“I wanted people like me, who care about shopping for local, blackowned, women-owned and environmentally friendly products, to buy these items easily,” says Ntshinga.

Amanda Sibiya is of Branding Africa, which helps African entrepreneurs develop strategy-led brands through brand-building programmes, strategy workshops and other services, catering specifically for African entrepreneurs in their local markets and communities.

“The Africa of my dreams is a prosperous Africa where we represent innovation in the global landscape, take advantage of our heritage and where our youth occupy high seats at the tables of people who make policies to benefit African people,” Sibiya says.

Zanele Ngcobo is of BNK Solar, which provides solar solutions and helps with energy management systems and energy efficiency solutions.

“Our first project was installing one solar panel; today we have a dedicated office and a single project sees us installing 200 panels,” she says.

Women of the Future are opening up voting for the Readers’ Choice Award. To cast your vote visit https://womenofthefuture.co.za, or SMS the name of the finalist to 37174, at a cost of R1.50.

Winners will be announced at a VIP luncheon in Joburg on 14 October.

accounting - the career that adds up to personal success

International research shows that the accountancy and finance sector is seen as the third most stable profession, behind health/ pharmaceuticals, and teaching.

One in four employees aged 16-34 is currently considering a new career as the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic bites.

Positions available in the various areas of finance include for bookkeepers, credit controllers, debt collectors and financial managers, as well as assistant accountants and chartered accountants.

The basic nature of these kinds of jobs remains the same despite advancing computer systems: manage and carry out the administration of financial transactions that take place in an organisation.

Bookkeepers keep record of all the financial transactions that take place in an organisation. Public and municipal services, commerce, industry and educational institutions employ bookkeepers; private and part-time owner – managed practices have also become more popular.

Nonhlanhla Dube, Career Consultant at Boston City Campus says that, Bookkeeping is considered a scarce skill (visit www.fasset.org.za) and therefore is a career that should be considered by those that are numerically and detail oriented, as well as committed to finding secure employment.”

She mentions that South Africa has a shortage of people working in Bookkeeping and Accounting positions. These positions are consistently in the top ten scarce skills. Positions exist in corporate and industry, as well as Government and municipalities.

The credit controller (see here: https:// www.boston.ac.za/boston-city-campus/ qualifications/accounting-programmes/ credit-controller-assistant-bookkeeper/) is responsible for opening new client accounts, managing monthly payments and handling all liaison and administrative duties arising from purchase transactions.

With the Boston Diploma in Financial Accounting, career opportunities such as assistant accountant serve as either a job or a good starting point from which to advance if you are ambitious in your accounting! Opportunities for ad- vancement include financial accountant, financial manager and financial director as you gain more experience and skills.

Career opportunities where skills are considered scarce include: Trainee Accountant, Debt Collector, Finance Manager, Management Consultant, Office Administrator, General Accountant, General Clerk, Accounts Clerk and Payroll Clerk. The Boston Higher Certificate in Accounting Practice has you working in an accounts office within one year, and opens doors to further study in the field.

The Chartered Accountant (CA) is licensed by the state to audit financial information for public companies for accuracy. CAs can also work for themselves completing taxes or accounting for individuals

To start on this pathway, register for the SAICA approved Boston Bachelor of Accounting. SAICA is the South African institute of Chartered Accountants, responsible for accreditation of accountants and auditors, and providing entrance and approval to sit for the accounting board exam. Accountants and auditors help to ensure that firms are run efficiently, its public records kept accurately, and its taxes paid properly and on time. They analyse and communicate financial information for various entities such as companies, individual clients, and government.