Women of diversity

Thabile Dube, Aaliyah Fransch, Surprise Nkomo and Ntsoaki Phali

Montsooe Pakkies, Denise Howard, Sherry Bevan, Diane Swales, Elizabeth Clark and guest speaker - Nomfundo Molefe at the Women of Diversity workshop in Richards Bay

Desiree Bedhasi, Hassina Khan and Dhana Goodenough

What South Africa needs is not better wages, but investment education. This is according to the Head of Emerging Markets Development at Allan Gray, Max Moyo, who gave a captivating address on the ‘Power of Investing’ at the Women of Diversity Business Building Workshops in Richards Bay. The workshops strive to support female entrepreneurs in KZN - particularly those in the outlying urban and rural regions - with mentorship training and the introduction of valuable support organisations and individuals. Top businesswomen, including the wife of KZN Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize, Dr May Mkhize, Chairwoman of SAWEN, Lindiwe Ngcobo and entrepreneur and mentor, Ingrid Roberts, among others, also shared the podium.

Wealth creation
Addressing hundreds of local female entrepreneurs, Moyo encouraged women to build wealth and an inheritance from day one. ‘Our greatest competitor is greed. We live make believe lives. ‘Are we living our lives or are we being lived by others? Investment is not an option; it is a must. ‘From day one when we get paid, a portion must go towards savings. ‘Investment must be a life-long commitment. Do not cash in your investment and don’t do things because others are doing it,’ said Moyo. Women were also advised to consider investing in shares as an interest-generating asset to adequately prepare for retirement. ‘Most of us don’t know who we are and we spend money according to how others are spending. ‘If you are taking your cue about life from Hollywood, you don’t know who you are. ‘When you try to keep up with the Jones’s, be careful who you are following. ‘Sometimes, it is a case of the blind leading the blind.’ The entrepreneurs were also enlightened on the recipe for wealth creation and financial freedom, business mastery as a foundation for business growth.