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Upcoming EvEnts By Sinazo Mkoko

December is the month of reconciliation

01 DEcEmbEr

worlDaiDS Day

The world commemorates World AIDS Day on 1 December with an aim to not only remember those who have died but to also unite communities across the globe in the fight against HIV and show support for people living with HIV. The day is crucial as it reminds the public that HIV has not gone away and that there is the need to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education to maintain and achieve the aims and objectives of the country as set out in the National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and TB 2012-2016.

03 DEcEmbEr

international Day of PerSonS with DiSaBilitieS

Disability inclusion is an essential condition for upholding human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to ensure that this is achieved globally. UNESCO states: “It is also central to the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind. The commitment to realising the rights of persons with disabilities is not only a matter of justice; it is an investment in a common future.”

16 DEcEmbEr

Day of reconciliation

December is known as the “month of reconciliation”. December 16 was adopted at the very beginning of our democracy when it was “envisioned that reconciliation, peace and stability would be a defining character of our new democratic dispensation.” The day was celebrated for the first time as a public holiday in 1995 and the country’s first non-racial and democratic government was tasked with promoting national unity. One way it aimed to do this was to acknowledge the significance of the 16 December for all concerned and to rename it the Day of Reconciliation.

24 JanUary

international Day of eDucation oBServanceS

Celebrated every year on January 24, the day provides an opportunity to look at education from a broader perspective. According to UNESCO, the day is created to campaign for better education reforms and improve access to education for all. It’s a day to celebrate and advocate for access to education.”The day is a call for action — bringing individuals, civil society, and policymakers to take solid steps towards ensuring that primary and secondary education is given to children, as well as improving youth engagement in education.”

24 JanUary

worlD Day for african anD afroDeScenDant culture

This day aims to celebrate the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world, and promotes them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. The African heritage is a rich source of the world’s shared heritagea and “promoting African and Afrodescendant culture is crucial for the development of the continent, and for humanity as a whole,” says UNESCO.

25 JanUary

international Day of woMen in MultilateraliSM

On 23 November 2021 when UNESCO’s General Conference adopted Resolution 41 C/57 declaring 25 January as the International Day of Women in Multilateralism. The purpose of this Day is to recognise the essential role played by women in the promotion of human rights, peace and sustainable development within the multilateral system. UNESCO is committed to provide a global platform to open up horizons for new generations of women and enable them to co-shape multilateral decisions that will have an impact on the future.

EDITORIAL

BY FIONA WAKELIN

Who are the top 5 wealthiest women in Africa?

And who has tumbled from the top?

Looking at the list of the richest women in Africa, what is striking is that acquiring

billionaire status does not happen overnight. Everyone featured here has spent a lifetime investing in, and growing, their entrepreneurial empires. Silver hair and gold in the bank!

1. FOLORUNSHO ALAKIJA - A NIGERIAN BILLIONAIRE

Fifty years ago Folorunsho started out in the fashion industry and today her business interests include real estate, oil and gas and printing.

She is the owner of several groups of companies including Dayspring Property Development Company Limited, a real estate company which owns properties around the globe, as well as Rose of Sharon Prints and Promotions.

Folorunsho is also Executive Director of FAMFA Oil, her family-owned oil production company.

2. NGINA KENYATTA - THE MOTHER OF CURRENT KENYAN PRESIDENT, UHURU KENYATTA

Nearing her ninth decade Ngina Kenyatta is a billionaire with a portfolio which includes investments, banking, media and the dairy industry. “Mama Kenyatta” has a 24.91% share in the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) – she also owns shares in Media Max, a media company that owns K24 TV, Kameme Radio, and The People newspaper.

3. HAJIA BOLA SHAGAYA WHO ALSO HAILS FROM NIGERIA

With a current net worth of almost a billion US, Hajia Bola started out as an auditor for the Central Bank of Nigeria and then her entrepreneurial verve kicked in! She started an empire by importing Konica photographic equipment for resale. Nearly 40 years later she is CEO of Bolmus Group International with interests in oil, real estate, banking, and photography. Hajia founded Practoil Limited, and in 2005 became its managing director. Today Practoil is one of the largest importer and distributors of base oil in Nigeria today.

4. WENDY APPELBAUM IS THE RICHEST WOMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA AND THE 4TH WEALTHIEST ON THE CONTINENT

Wendy Appelbaum is the daughter of Liberty Group founder Donald Gordon and the owner and Chair of De Morgenzon Wine Estate. Previously, Wendy also served as the Deputy-Chairman of the Women’s Investment Portfolio Limited (Wiphold Limited), which is a renowned women’s investment holding company that is listed on JSE. Overall, Wendy is also a director of Sphere Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which is a black empowerment company addressing financial services in mining sectors. In 2015, she was awarded both the Forbes Woman Businesswoman of the Year, and the Forbes Africa Woman of the Year.

5. WENDY ACKERMAN – FMCG POWERHOUSE

Wendy Ackerman is one of the founders and an Executive Director of Pick ‘n Pay Stores. Along with her husband Raymond Ackerman, Wendy has been a tremendous force in building up one of South Africa’s leading FMCG retailers, which, to date, consists of over 450 stores, with the inclusion of 121 supermarkets and 14 hypermarkets. The company extends its food and retail services across South Africa, southern Africa and even Australia, and has employed an estimated 49,000 people over the years. Wendy received an Inyathelo Award for her family’s philanthropic efforts in 2007.

A CAUTIONARY TALE

For many years Isabel Dos Santos, daughter of Angolan President, José Eduardo dos Santos, topped the list as the richest woman in Africa. Currently in self-imposed exile in Dubai she is embroiled in legal battles while watching her empire implode.

“Whether you are in the public sector, the private sector, supply chain or an interested individual, PSL has something for you.”

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