Page 32 - Fourways Gardens August 2021

Lifestyle

iStock: AndreyPopov

Turning the clock over to the 21st Century, we was involved in the drafting of our ground‑ Africa's longest continuously serving cabinet
see Angela Merkel very ably running affairs breaking South African Constitution, and member, who retired in 2019. Bridgette is the
in Germany as the first female Chancellor was Public Protector from 2009 – 2016. Her owner and CEO of Mmakau Mining and was
of Germany – elected in 2005 and then most controversial ‘moment’ in the public recently voted by Forbes magazine as one of
re‑elected in 2009, 2013 and 2017. eye was when she reported that the then the 20 Most Powerful Women in Africa. Her
President of SA, Jacob Zuma, had unfairly estimated net worth is R1‑bn.
In Africa, Saara Kuugongelwa‑Amadhila benefitted from a whopping R246‑million
became the fourth (and first female) Prime (or more) of taxpayers’ money spent on the The first woman CEO of the Johannesburg
Minister of Namibia in 2015, at the age of upgrading his homestead. Although she Stock Exchange (JSE) was Nicky Newton‑King,
48. Prior to her appointment, she was the was publically humiliated and intimidated who joined the JSE in 1996 and was appointed
Minister of Finance, appointed in 2003 when by many of his supporters, she refused to as CEO in 2012. In October 2019, she passed
she was just 36. She held that position for back down. She is now a Law Professor at the reins over to Dr Leila Fourie, who had
twelve years, only passing over the reins the University of Stellenbosch. worked at the JSE from 2012 – 2016 before
when she was elected Prime Minister. emigrating to Australia, where she gained
Currently rated as the third‑richest woman experience as CEO of the Australian Payments
Other young women voted into top in SA, Irene Charnley and her two siblings Network and Head of Consumer Finance at
government positions, include Sanna were raised by their Mom. They grew up on the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, before
Marin who became a member of Finland’s the Cape Flats, in a relatively poor community returning to SA to take up the position as
Parliament at the age of 30, going on to be situated on the outskirts of Cape Town. Group CEO of the JSE. Dr Fourie has also been
elected as Finland’s 46th Prime Minister at Although she studied at the London College appointed Co‑chair of the Global Investors of
the age of 34, taking office on 10 December of Printing, she somehow found a niche for Sustainable Development Alliance (GISD) by
2019. And then, on the other side of the herself as a negotiator for the National Union the UN Secretary General.
globe, there’s the current Prime Minister of Mineworkers (NUM) – a position that she
of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, who took held for thirteen years before joining Johnnic, This very ‘brief’ list, of course, doesn’t even
office in 2017 at the age of 37. and then moving on to MTN. Using her scratch the surface of what South African
experience in the telecoms sector, Irene then women are achieving here and around the
Here in SA, we have yet to see a woman founded her own telecoms company, Smile world.
President, but let’s not forget that Phumzile Communications, which is based in Mauritius
Mlambo‑Ngcuka was Deputy President and provides services to Nigeria, Uganda, What is apparent, is that young women
from June 2005 – September 2008, Tanzania and the DRC. Irene’s net worth is don’t need to hang back and wait their
followed by Baleka Mbete from September estimated to be around R1,5bn. turn. Whether it’s entering the world of
2008 – May 2009. And currently, 45% of the politics, business, IT, sport, entertainment
National Assembly’s Members of Parliament One notch below Irene in the richest or embarking on any of the other careers
are women. South African women rankings (https:// out there, there’s always room for one more
briefly.co.za) is Bridgette Radebe, sister – or the opportunity to break ground in an
OTHER INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN SA of billionaire mining magnate, Patrice entirely different direction. And with the pace
Although she’s an activist with strong Motsepe, and Dr Tshepo Motsepe, wife of of change increasing daily, it’s the fresh young
political ties, Thuli Madonsela is also an our current President, Cyril Ramaphosa. minds that will be best‑equipped to face the
advocate and human rights lawyer. She Bridgette is married to Jeff Radebe, South challenges of the future.

Fourways Gardens • 30 • August 2021