GWII and IIG celebrate women, at Women’s Day event
In celebration of Women’s Day, Insurance Institute of Gauteng (IIG) in collaboration with the Gauteng Women in Insurance (GWII), hosted a Women’s Day event, on 3 August, with platinum sponsors CIB, Nedbank Insurance and Standard Bank, silver sponsors Camargue, Coface, Discovery, Emerald, Guardrisk, Hollard, Howden, Innovation Group, MFC (Nedbank Limited – Motor Finance Corporation) and Sasria SOC Ltd, bronze sponsors Bryte Insurance, Credit Guarantee, Lombard, Santam and Tracker South Africa, complimentary sponsors Bair Recruitment Group, Fulcrum Group and King Price Insurance, and supporting logistical sponsors FAnews, Old Mutual Insure, One Insurance and Syfinity.
The theme, ‘Together, Let’s Rise Up and Take Up Our Space! Phakama Ndlovukazi – Rise Up Queen’, celebrated the true essence of womanhood by empowering women to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Shades of blue
The event, held at The Venue, Houghton Hotel, boasted the perfect ambience for a Women’s Day celebration.
With endless possibilities, the ladies were dressed in different hues of blue… because there is a shade of blue for every girl. It was fun, and it was chic, with beautiful flowers and different shades of blue.
As customary, members were asked to bring along R100 for the nominated charity, Tears Foundation and Class of 2023 Bathu Sneaker Drive. We would like to thank each one of you for your donations.
On arrival, the ladies were treated to some welcome drinks at the gin bar, sponsored by Emerald Risk Transfer. While indulging in some eats, they networked a little, before heading off to their tables for the formalities to begin.
The formalities of the evening
While sipping on some table wine, sponsored by Bair Recruitment Group, Master of Ceremonies, Ayanda Malele, Learning and Development Specialist – Presenter and Content Producer opened up the event by welcoming members to the event, followed by the announcement of the Discovery grand prize giveaway. Discovery sponsored a getaway at the 5* Ivory Tree Game Lodge – inclusive of breakfast, lunch & dinner daily, with two game drives per day. The winner will be announced on social media.
The formalities of the day then began with a welcome from the GWII President, Shaazia Khan, followed by the IIG President, Simphiwe Mtyali, who both shared a similar message with a calling to all industry women to stand up and take their places, because they have the power to shape their destinies.
Ayanda then had a Q&A session with the Deputy President of the GWII, Catherine Albertyn, and IIG Deputy President, Bukhosi Khumalo about their respective organisations and the important role of women, with both sharing the same sentiment that women should continue to be bold and resilient.
Once the Q&A session finished, Ayanda then introduced the first guest speaker for the day.
Welcome aboard
Captain Londy Ngcobo, an international Ship Navigation Officer and maritime advocate is Africa’s first female Dredge Master. With over 15 years of experience in the Maritime industry, she dared to dream big and became a ship captain, but with every journey, there is a story to tell.
“I chose not to be Rose on the Titanic; I chose to captain the Titanic,” said Londy. This is probably one of her most popular statements – one she has made in spite of the pushback she received when she decided to become a ship’s captain.
With Londy being one of the women, representing only a fraction of the maritime industry’s largely male-dominated workforce, she suppressed the whispers of doubt and fear and excelled in her industry.
“I am a ship navigator by profession (ship captain). There are different kinds of ships. I’ve worked on different kinds of ships including dredger ships, hence the title ‘Dredge Master’ and that’s when I landed the title of being ‘first’ on those particular ships.”
“Being first, however, is not enough. Despite being first in nearly every role I occupied; we weren’t multiplying as women.” Having been the ‘first’ in so many areas of her industry, Londy says there’s still only two per cent of female participation globally, and her mission is to ensure an incline.
“Today, however, women are claiming their power and it’s fascinating to witness every day. With the right qualities, the stereotype of a ‘man’s world’ can easily be wiped off. Yes, you have to keep proving yourself, but in the end, the job will be done,” she said.
With the story that she shared of her time aboard, despite the challenges, she encouraged women to play their part, forge forward and raise their hands. “Let your work speak for itself… claim your captaincy. When you’ve cultivated it in the workspace, you start to enjoy it,” she said.
In concluding her speech, she shared three pieces of advice – the first is for women to assume captaincy – “you are the captain of your life, claim it and steer your ship”. The second, is the anchors – what are your anchors? Is it family, friends, work etc.? “That which anchors you, helps you claim your captaincy. Find your anchors.” And lastly, the voyage – “every day we are given the opportunity to show up to claim our captaincy – show up, you never know which person might just need you.”
Ayanda then introduced the second guest speaker for the day.
Past barriers into the limitless blue
Pushing past barriers and stepping into the limitless blue, Major Mandisa Mfeka is known to be the first female fighter pilot in South Africa.
Having broken many barriers as a fighter pilot, her obsession with the industry started as a young girl attending air shows at Virginia Airport, about 10km northeast of Durban, with her parents. It was at the age of 15 when her uncle handed her some reading material on careers in math and science that she came across a career in aviation by the SAAF. She joined the SAAF in 2008 and two years later she started lessons at Central Flying School in Langebaan, just outside Cape Town. By 2011, she had earned her wings, had to undergo rigorous military training and another four years to reach combat status.
When it comes to being the only female surrounded by males, she admitted at the time that it took some time getting used to it. “I’ve always been around girls, so the culture and lifestyle were different and something I had to adjust to.”
According to Mfeka, her first woman combat pilot title did not come easy. On the challenges encountered launching into a male-dominated space, the most challenging part for her was ensuring that she was physically strong and able to endure long distances.
Aspiring to inspire and going against the grain, she said there is a power that comes from fearless radiating your authentic signature. “I wanted to be G.I Jane… loud, assertive, and show that there is nothing different between what a woman versus a man can achieve.”
Looking back on the lessons she learned, and the challenges endured, she shared a quote from Oprah Winfrey – “Challenges are a gift that force us to search for a new centre of gravity. Don’t fight them, just find a new way to stand.” And that’s what she did when she endured hard challenges.
In conclusion, she said, “As women, we have cultivated such a strong sense of resilience. It has kept us going beyond the challenges. But we need to realise that our resilience threshold is further than where we think it should be.” In other words, our ability to handle challenges and setbacks may be greater than we perceive or expect. Sometimes, we underestimate our own capacities to cope with adversity or to adapt to changes. However, many people find that when they are faced with challenging circumstances, they discover inner strengths and resources they didn’t know they had.
Once Mandisa finished her speech, Ayanda announced the end of the formalities for the day, followed by dinner, some networking and prize giving.
Lucky draws
Congratulations to all our lucky draw prize winners who walked away with amazing prizes:
- Allianz – sponsored 2 x hampers filled with goodies valued at R1 850 and a Sorbet gift voucher valued at R1 000
- Auto & General – sponsored 2 x Sunset Dinner in the sky (for two) vouchers valued at R1 990 each
- Beyonda – sponsored 2 x Mangwanani spa vouchers to the value of R1 000 each
- Bryte Insurance – sponsored 2 x Pandora Bracelets valued at R1 400 each
- CIB – sponsored 1 x Swarovski crystal pen valued at R1 100
- Digicall Group – sponsored 1 x Nespresso Coffee Machine valued at R2 500
- HIC – sponsored 1 x voucher from Duck Apparel valued at R2 500
- Hollard – sponsored 1 x Sorbet voucher valued at R750
- Innovation Group – sponsored 2 x Woodlands Spa vouchers valued at R 1 000 each
- Integrity Software – sponsored 2 x hampers filled with wine, sweet treats and some women’s products valued at R800 each
- Marsh – sponsored 1 x Woolworths voucher valued at R1 000
- MUA Insurance Acceptances – sponsored 4 x Home Essentials Diffusers valued at R300 each
- PG Glass – sponsored a sterling silver necklace with a created sapphire pendant valued at R2 500, gold hoop earrings valued at R2 000 and a Bras N Things voucher valued at R1 000
- Road Trip – sponsored 2 x Road Trip vouchers worth R600 each
- Sedgwick – sponsored 3 x prizes to the value of R2 000 each
- Sapphire Risk Transfer – sponsored 2 x Woolworths vouchers valued at R1 000 each
- Warstreet Coaching – sponsored 3 x coaching sessions with integral life coach Rebecca Warsop from Warstreet Coaching valued at R3 600
- Western National – sponsoring 3 x Pandora prizes, valued at R1 500 each
Additionally, for the best dressed, King Price sponsored a pamper hamper.
As the ladies left, they each received a goody bag filled with items such as lip balms, diaries, hand creams, earrings, cosmetic bags and more, sponsored by Elite Risk Acceptances, Gauteng Women in Insurance (GWII), Garrun Group, iTOO Special Risks, My Glass, Mulberry Marketing, Nedbank Insurance, Old Mutual Insure and Tracker.
Thank you
IIG and GWII would like to thank the platinum sponsors CIB, Nedbank Insurance and Standard Bank, silver sponsors Camargue, Coface, Discovery, Emerald, Guardrisk, Hollard, Howden, Innovation Group, MFC (Nedbank Limited – Motor Finance Corporation) and Sasria SOC Ltd, bronze sponsors Bryte Insurance, Credit Guarantee, Lombard, Santam and Tracker South Africa, complimentary sponsors Bair Recruitment Group, Fulcrum Group and King Price Insurance, and supporting logistical sponsors FAnews, Old Mutual Insure, One Insurance and Syfinity. Without them, this would not have been possible.
And thank you to all the goody bag and prize sponsors for all the amazing giveaways, Bair Recruitment Group, our table wine sponsor and Emerald Risk transfer, for the gin bar.
And lastly, to all IIG and GWII members… thank you for attending this event… we hope that you feel inspired to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Claim your captaincy because you are more resilient than you think you are.
Article Written by Myra Knoesen
