In the build up to the 2024 National Elections, South Africa is in dire need to have more women elected into leadership roles. On the back drop of necessary change, Pinpoint Stewards will be hosting the 3rd Annual, Women & Leadership in Government and State Owned Enterprises conference with the theme “it’s DUE” -  Develop, Unite and Empower.

The conference is an annual platform where women gather to network, engage and collaborate on ways women can expand and create opportunities to lead. Sudhira Sewsunker, co-owner, Pinpoint Stewards says, “History has demonstrated time and time again the inconceivable impact women have had in South Africa. On 9 August in 1956 on the March to the Union Buildings, women shattered the stereotype of being politically incompetent and juvenile, tied to the home, and was archaic and imprecise. Women who participated in the protest set-in-motion then what women should aspire to be today, standing and propelling themselves to lead.  We aim to profile current and future leaders within South-Africa together with our media partners to ensure women who are pioneering change are noticed for their contribution as leaders”  

Sharing her pearls of wisdom will be Lt Gen Khosi Senthumule, Divisional Commissioner Detective and Forensic, Services (DDG), SAPS. Lt Gen Senthumule will be presenting on: becoming an effective government leader by knowing how to stay cool under pressure and tackle challenges head on. Senthumule’s accolades speak for itself and is the first Female Head of Counter Terrorism and board member (Polmed) for two terms, first Head of Organised Crime Investigations for SAPS and DPCI, first Female Head of Counter and Security Intelligence for SAPS and project managed the 1st International Association for Women to be held in Africa

Matshidiso Jansen–Mwase, Chief Director: Corporate Services, North West Provincial Treasury will address, finding your feet and succeeding in male dominated environments by using Emotional Intelligence and key leadership traits. Jansen-Mwase is no novice when it comes to leadership. In her matric year she won a prize, as part of the career guidance lessons, at Barolong High School, Mafikeng, North West Province to represent SA in Britain (London). She obtained her Bachelor of Admin and Bachelor of Admin Honours in Industrial Psychology Degrees from the prestigious University of Fort Hare. She was also nominated to represent the North West Province Local Government in Netherlands (Holland) where she obtained the Municipal Management Development Programme qualification.

Making relationship building your key competency  by connecting at all levels, and working through conflict to build a spirit of cooperation will be spotlighted by Wendy Kaizer-Philander, Chief Whip, Western Cape Provincial Parliament. Kaizer-Philander, served as Member of the Mayoral Committee in the Drakenstein Local Municipality,  elected as a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament in 2018 and was appointed as Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance in January 2023.

South Africa’s, Shadow Minister for Social Development, Bridget Masango will be deliberating on the massive contribution of women in all sectors and how they can change the narrative.  No stranger to leadership, Masango won the inaugural Vision Award for a paper she wrote on invitation from the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa. She was also elected President for the Global Council for Political Renewal in 2021 and presided over the first in-person conference in London in April this year.

Other speaker organisations include: Honorable Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister, Dept Of Public Works & Infrastructure RSA; Helen Coetzee, Deputy Executive Mayor Overberg District Municipality Provincial SWC Chair; Christelle Faul Marais, Group Chief Risk Officer & Exco Member, SA Forestry Company Soc Ltd (SAFCOL); Zuziwe Mjongile-Dumile, Technical Manager, Transnet Port Terminal – Cape Town; and UN recognized and GBV activist, Grizelda Grootboom.

The organisers have once again selected the Salvation Army and Survivor Exit Foundation as beneficiaries to the conference to support their efforts against human trafficking and sexual exploitation of women. A percentage of profits will be donated to each of these causes.

Pinpoint Stewards have 20 years’ experience in research, management and arranging conferences onsite and online training platforms. They are a 100% women owned, Level 2 B-BBEE company. For more information and the full conference brochure and networking activities planned contact info@pinpointstewards.co.za or join Pinpoint Stewards on LinkedIn