Insights from Dineo Molefe, MTN SA CFO

As we mark three decades of democracy in South Africa under the theme of “Women as Pioneers of Change and Economic Growth”, it's essential to reflect on the incredible progress made in advancing women's rights and their significant contributions to the nation's development. South African women have been formidable agents of change, blazing trails across various sectors and leveraging their entrepreneurial spirit to drive economic growth.

This year's celebrations resonate deeply with the historical triumphs of women, recalling the courage of the 1956 women's march while highlighting contemporary strides in sectors like technology and business.

The anniversary of the 1956 women's march serves as a poignant reminder of the relentless struggle for freedom and equality. On 9 August 1956, more than 20 000 women of all races marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the government's pass laws. This act of defiance was a defining moment, cemented in our collective memory as Women’s Day and celebrated annually. This pioneering spirit has persisted, manifesting today in diverse forms of empowerment and innovation led by women.

This spirit is ingrained at MTN as we actively invest time and resources in developing existing talent, with a strong emphasis on female talent development. Notably, MTN South Africa’s female representation stands at an impressive 49%. This highlights MTN’s commitment to fostering gender equity and creating opportunities for women to grow and thrive within the organisation.

Women within financial roles has significantly increased over the last 30 years within the country. Being a charter accountant or banker was perceived to be two of the largest types of careers within the financial stream. This is something that has significantly changed, with the shifts in global trends, macroeconomic factors and evolving role of technology. We are seeing the emergence of new roles and skills sets with the advent of data analytics and artificial intelligence. Women make up 56% of our function across various roles. We are actively driving their development leveraging various mechanisms such as the Women in Finance Forum which enables the sharing of experiences and addressing challenges that women are facing daily.

MTN is also committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in the communities we serve. Removing barriers hindering women from entering STEM fields is crucial to closing South Africa’s ICT skills gap and reducing high unemployment rates. Earlier this year, MTN SA Foundation, partnered with the Department of Basic Education’s to launch the National Coding and Robotics pilot programme by unveiling a Coding and Robotics Centre at Letsibogo Girls High School in Soweto – ensuring even more girls have the skills they need to participate within the digital economy.

Another of MTN’s initiatives, our Digital Skills for Digital Jobs programme garnered over 7000 applications this year to date, with women making up more than 60% of the total applications. The 2024 Digital Skills for Digital Jobs programme aims to upskill 900 youth and women across all nine provinces in South Africa with digital skills, entrepreneurship skills, and life skills training.

At MTN South Africa, where we are also celebrating our 30th anniversary, we have answered this call not only through championing the development of women’s career but also through female focused initiatives such as the MTN Women in Digital Business Challenge.

Each year the MTN SA Foundation invests R1 million into this initiative to enable innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation for women in the digital economy. This initiative, soon to launch its third iteration, is an extension of MTN’s SME accelerator programmes, specifically focusing on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among women. The challenge offers each successful candidate R100,000 to support their working capital and asset needs, as well as business development, mentorship, and access to business-advancing technology and software.

Networking opportunities provided by the challenge facilitate meaningful connections with peers, industry experts, and potential collaborators, offering invaluable support and access to resources. The impact of the MTN Women in Digital Business Challenge is evident in the success stories of participants like Mamello Mofokeng, Khathu Maphari, Aasiyah Adams, and Elizabeth Booi.

Mamello Mofokeng expanded her team and reengineered her sales strategy following her four-month mentorship journey, resulting in new market opportunities for her business. She also gained exposure and recognition when her success story was featured on Business Day TV to showcase the impact of the challenge.

Khathu Maphari used her prize money to rebrand her business and address office aesthetics, compliance, and debt settlement. She subsequently proposed a teacher training programme, demonstrating a strategic expansion of her business’s offerings.

Aasiyah Adams’ company has also grown significantly, with plans to expand into new markets. She is gearing up to teach 4,000 students in various courses, demonstrating substantial scalability and impact following the challenge’s financial and strategic support.

Elizabeth Booi, selected as a top 10 finalist in the 2023 MTN Women in Digital Business Challenge, has expanded her business’s impact to over 1,000 individuals. She is developing a learning management system and accreditation processes, focusing on empowering women and youth in IT and Data Analytics.

As we reflect on 30 years of democracy, we must celebrate the monumental strides made by South African women. From the historic march of 1956 to today's tech-savvy entrepreneurs, the journey of women in South Africa is a testament to resilience, innovation, and transformation.

At MTN, we will continue working to advance women’s equality and diversity across our operations, promoting an inclusive environment free from gender bias. With the support of others, together we can amplify the voices of women who are not just participants but leaders and innovators shaping the future of our nation.

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