Johannesburg, 31 October 2024 – The winners and finalists of the 12th Africa and Middle East Gender Mainstreaming Awards (GMAs) were honoured in a spectacular live event at Vodacom World of Events, hosting 700 guests. This year, the Awards celebrated corporate champions and individuals across East, West, and Southern Africa, who have made remarkable contributions to advancing gender mainstreaming within their organisations and communities.

The GMAs, an initiative of Business Engage Association NPC, spotlight companies and individuals as gender mainstreaming champions, highlighting their tangible impact across the African continent.

Record Participation and Growing Recognition

Colleen Larsen, CE of Business Engage, highlighted the growing recognition of gender mainstreaming efforts: “We are proud to have seen a tremendous increase in overall entries, receiving over 2,500 submissions this year. The stories shared propel us further towards making Africa the gender hub from which we export stories of success in gender mainstreaming. The African continent's rich stories deserve more international recognition.”

Key sponsors for the event included Vodacom, Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), RCL Foods, RMB, AECI, Assupol Life, in association with 30% Club Southern and East Africa, the SA Human Rights Commission, Sunday Times, Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA), and 50% Human. The awards were judged by a respected panel of 90 adjudicators from across the continent.

Corporate and Individual Champions

Njabulo Mashigo, HR Director for Vodacom South Africa, remarked, “We are incredibly honoured to support the 2024 Gender Mainstreaming Awards, which recognise individuals championing women representation in business. At Vodacom, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and safe workplace, and our targeted leadership programs reflect our ongoing commitment to gender diversity.”

Bridget Mokwena-Halala, CEO of Assupol, shared, “At Assupol, we believe that gender parity is not just a goal but a fundamental pillar of success. Our unwavering dedication to gender mainstreaming drives meaningful change across our organisation.”

This year's top award, Gender Mainstreaming Champion: Africa, was presented to Standard Chartered Bank. Kearney Africa was recognised for their efforts in Southern Africa, and NMB Bank received the honour for East Africa. Regional winners for East and West Africa will be announced in November.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Inclusive Leader Award (Southern Africa): Shaleenah Marie
• Trailblazer Award: Peggy Serame
• Positive Role Model Award (Southern Africa): Buhle Hanise
• Peoples’ Choice Award: Mashudu Ndou (South Africa), Nkhonde Fumbeshi (Zambia), Priscillah Ndadi (Botswana)
• RMB’s Africa Fearless Thinker Award: Albertinah Kekana

Nana Phiri, Head: Corporate Client Group at RMB, reflected, “Across all sectors, genuine diversity and inclusivity is what sets successful businesses apart. We are inspired by the visionary leadership and great strides the GMA winners and finalists are taking towards gender mainstreaming on the continent. This reflects RMB’s belief in the importance of cultivating an environment of gender inclusivity that gives people of all genders the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.”

Khabonina Ramoupi, AECI Group Chief People Officer, said, “Recognising the contributions of organisations that promote gender diversity is vital to advancing meaningful change across industries. By celebrating these achievements, we are not only recognising the leaders of today but inspiring the changemakers of tomorrow, ensuring that gender diversity becomes the norm, not the exception.”

Parmi Natesan, CEO of IoDSA, added, “Recognising the efforts of organisations that champion gender mainstreaming is crucial in driving meaningful change. Celebrating these successes not only honours the trailblazers but also sets a powerful example for others to follow, ensuring that gender diversity becomes a norm, not an exception, in our corporate landscape.”

Corporate Category Winners for Southern Africa

• Economic Empowerment: Assmang (Pty) Ltd - Beeshoek Iron Ore Mine
• Empowerment of Women in the Community: Joint Standard Chartered Bank and Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Ltd
• Equal Representation and Participation: Tiger Brands
• Women Empowerment in the Workplace: Santam Limited
• Women on Boards: Coronation Fund Managers
• Women on Executive Committees in Multinationals: London Stock Exchange Group
• Investing in Young Women: Kearney Africa
• Gender Reporting of JSE-listed Companies: Spur Corporation Ltd
• Mainstreaming Gender and Disability: KLM Empowered Human Solutions Specialists (Pty) Ltd

Corporate Reflections

Tasmin Coleman, HR Director for RCL Foods, emphasised, “We are proud to support initiatives that celebrate diversity and empower women. Aligned with our purpose of 'Growing What Matters,' we strive to foster a truly inclusive culture.”

Vuyo Lee, Director: Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the JSE, stated, “The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is honoured to recognise the winners of the Gender Mainstreaming Awards, who are leading the way in promoting gender representation in their companies. These trailblazers set an inspiring precedent for others to follow. Let us embrace this spirit and collectively strive to create a more inclusive, fair, and thriving society.”

Colleen Larsen concluded, “The stories from Africa are rich, and by strengthening the conversation and taking deliberate actions, we can influence change on a global scale.”

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Social Media Post

Celebrating Africa's Private Sector Gender Mainstreaming Champions for 2024
The 12th Gender Mainstreaming Awards have honoured inspiring leaders making strides in gender equity across Africa. Let’s celebrate their achievements and commit to building a more inclusive future.

#GenderMainstreaming #AfricaLeadership #WomenEmpowerment #GMAwards #pressrelease #AfricaNewsroom #bizcommunity #publicrelations #africa #southernafrica #southafrica

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