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Guest: Ms Aluwani Manenzhe - Occupational Therapist

President of Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa

(OTASA)

Please share your dreams and visions with us and allow our

Guest to guide you through..

 Guest on line: Makhosi Andile Ngubane

Topic  How the amaBhaca left kwaZulu and Basuto-Land came to Natal KwaZulu

They travelled and passed isikhewu-senyanga The great inkosi of the amaBhaca was (Mt Fletcher) and eMandileni (Mt White). Madikane, who together with Jokazi son of They fought with the izinkosi of the Basotho, Sobizwa, the first-born son of Manqolo and Tshopo, Gobozi, and Hloyiya. Mdudu, the first-born son of Machiya all Xhosaland fled the wrath of the leader of the amaZulu, These wars caused them to pass further on to Tshaka. Madikane was shaka's younger brother according to their order of birth. the land of the amaXhosa, where they arrived and fought with the amaXhosa. The amax- Natal hosa surrounded him and killed him, and he These three groups crossed the Thukela river, was buried there. heading towards Natal, and they reached the Pondoland Mngeni river where they rested for a short Madikane's son Sonyangwe went back and time. Conflict broke out between them and the headed for the land of the amaMpondo. He Ntlangwini, which caused them to flee further reached and set up a homestead at Rhode, in order to find another place to build a home- and sent Jokazi with a hundred head of cattle stead at Mgungundlovu (Pietermaritzburg). to Qawukeni, Faku's principal homestead, The town was not there yet that is there now. saying that he should request a place for them In this place shaka's warriors came and to build. Faku assented and welcomed them, defeated them. They crossed the Umkomazi and gave them land. The amaBhaca received a river, intending to find a place to rest at place at Rhode, which is now called Mt Frere Hlavini near Ixopo. Tshaka's warriors came (Mbondeni). also to that place and attacked them.

Sonyangwe built a homestead at Rhode, and stayed there for quite some time before he was attacked by the Ntlangwini, by Mdinge

They left and crossed the Umzimkhulu at the inkosi of the amaMemela and Nombewu a place that is called Isantombe, where the the inkosi of the Ntlangwini, and they Nhlangwini of Fodo are today as I speak. murdered him for no reason. This Ntlangwini

Here they looked around for a moment. They clan built their homestead between Mnceba fought with the amaMbotwe, which is one of and Mzintlanga, where it gathered. Ncaphayi, the sub-clans of the amaMpondo, and they Sonyangwe's younger brother, succeeded him defeated them. Madikane and these groups of to the kingdom. He sent a message to the izin-his travelled up the Umzimkhulu river until kosi of the Ntlangwini clan telling them that they reached Mfulamuhle where they built a they should come and explain their reason homestead, not far from the village of Mzim-

for murdering Sonyangwe. These izinkosi khulu. There they again attacked Chinso, the arrived at Ncaphayi's court. There was some

inkosi of the amaNtuzela, which was another

discussion and then it became apparent that there was no reason. Nombewu was caught of the sub-clans of the amaMpondo, and they and slaughtered like a cow. Mdingi, the inkosi defeated him.

Then Tshaka's warriors arrived and defeated

of the amaMemela, fled and broke past them as he headed for Natal. He came suddenly them. They fled and passed the land around upon the Umzimkhulu river, and he arrived Kokstad. They crossed the Umzimvubu in the and ate sticks and struggled to cross the river, place where the village of Cedarville is now, and his people said to him that he should wait and then again they passed further ahead,

for them as they were still getting his people making for Mvenyane where they arrived and across. His people then took all of the things

built homesteads for a short time. Tshaka's they were supposed to send across the river to impi arrived and defeated them and they

Guest: Cullen Mackenzie - Translator, Researcher And Editor

As we celebrate Women’s Month in South Africa, this is a time to reflect on the pivotal role male allies can play in amplifying women’s voices in the workplace, particularly in leadership roles. With a workforce comprising 70% women, Empact Group stands as a testament to the power of female voices in the workplace. However, true gender parity requires the active participation and support of male colleagues and leaders in every organisation for it to be truly effective. Sanele Mlambo, Head of Marketing for Empact Group, shares insights on the pivotal role men play in creating an even playing field in the workplace.

Women often face systemic barriers that inhibit their professional growth and prevent them from reaching leadership positions. These barriers can manifest as gender bias, unequal pay, and limited access to mentorship and sponsorship. You will not be hard pressed to find a woman who has firsthand experience of her voice being marginalised in the workplace, or having her contributions undervalued, leaving her potential untapped. Overcoming these challenges requires a concerted effort in resetting company cultures and practice; particularly from male allies in leadership roles who play a crucial role in creating an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

Whilst there have been significant strides in implementing this shift, there is still work to be done and it is within this context that male allies can adopt essential strategies and actions to amplify women’s voices and drive gender diversity in leadership roles.

Key Strategies for Male Allies

Listening and Valuing Women's Perspectives: Start by genuinely listening to female colleagues and valuing their input. Create spaces where women feel safe voicing their opinions and concerns; then ask questions to gain meaningful insights which can lead to real change.

Public Support and Recognition: Thunder stealing is alive and well unfortunately. Publicly recognise the contributions of female colleagues in meetings, through internal communications, or on social media. When male leaders highlight the achievements of women, it not only boosts individual morale but also sets a standard for others to follow.

Creating Opportunities for Visibility: Men in leadership positions can use their influence to provide women with platforms to showcase their skills and expertise. This might include recommending women for high-visibility projects, inviting them to speak at conferences, or nominating them for awards. These actions can significantly enhance the professional profiles of female employees, paving the way for their advancement.

Mentorship and Sponsorship

For male leaders to actively support and amplify women's voices, they must move beyond passive endorsement and engage in proactive measures. Mentorship and sponsorship are critical in achieving this. Mentorship involves those in leadership roles guiding and advising colleagues on their career paths by sharing their experiences, offering career advice, and helping navigate workplace challenges. This personal investment can make a significant difference in a woman’s career trajectory. Sponsorship goes a step further by advocating for women in decision-making circles, using clout to recommend women for promotions, strategic roles, and leadership positions. This active endorsement can open doors that might otherwise remain closed to women.

Creating Inclusive Environments

An environment where everyone feels valued and able to contribute only happens when people are intentionally working towards creating them. True inclusivity only comes about by implementing bias training, which educates employees about unconscious biases and helps create a more supportive environment for women. Promoting flexible work arrangements, such as offering flexible hours or remote work options, can help women balance professional and personal responsibilities. In the same way, encouraging diverse teams in terms of gender, ethnicity, and background leads to richer discussions and better decision-making.

Breaking Gender Stereotypes

Stereotypes about gender roles can hinder women’s progress in the workplace, and male leaders have a significant role in challenging these stereotypes. Diverse leadership teams are proven to make better decisions and drive more innovative solutions. When stereotypes are dismantled, it opens the door for a wider pool of talent to rise to leadership roles, enhancing the organisation’s overall performance.

Women often face scrutiny about their ability to balance work and family life, the most persistent stereotype is that women cannot be both effective leaders and committed mothers. Leadership support can make a significant difference in changing these perceptions by advocating parental leave for both genders, encouraging men to take parental leave helps to normalise the idea that both parents can share caregiving responsibilities.

Companies can implement policies that make it easier for mothers to thrive in leadership roles. These might include on-site childcare facilities, which can alleviate the stress of balancing work and family responsibilities. Offering flexible work schedules allows mothers to manage their time more effectively, and return-to-work programs can help women transition back into the workforce after maternity leave, ensuring they don't miss out on career advancements. Highlighting successful working mothers within a company can also inspire others and change perceptions.

Male Leaders Championing Gender Diversity

Sometimes we only become aware that an environment is lacking when we move on or compare notes with someone else. Remarkable champions for gender diversity do exist, Empact Group’s own CEO Alan Quinn is among them. Under true gender equality focused leadership, a significant increase in the number of women in leadership roles will be observed. An effective leadership approach includes establishing mentorship programs that pair male leaders with female employees to provide guidance and support; and implementing inclusive policies that promote gender equality, such as equal pay initiatives and anti-discrimination measures. When a CEO uses his platform to speak about the importance of gender diversity, both within the company and in the industry at large, his active advocacy sets a powerful example for others to follow.

Empowering Women Through Fair and Supportive Leadership

Fair and supportive leadership is crucial in empowering women in the workplace. When leaders are committed to creating an environment where women can thrive, the entire organisation benefits. It leads to a more motivated workforce, better decision-making, and a culture of innovation.

Beyond Women’s Month, let’s recognise that achieving true gender equality requires concerted efforts from everyone, especially male allies. By actively supporting and amplifying women’s voices, male leaders can help break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create a more inclusive and dynamic workplace. Together, we can unleash the full potential of gender diversity, ensuring that more women ascend to leadership roles and drive our company towards greater success.

Guest: Marian Claite – COO - Afrika Tikkun

Birthing your vision- Part 2 

1.It's internal

2.⁠ ⁠Timing is important.

3.⁠ ⁠What are you feeding on?

4.⁠ ⁠What you're carrying is also carrying you.

5.⁠ ⁠What you're carrying isn't what someone else is carrying.

6.⁠ ⁠Midwives are important.

7.⁠ ⁠Raise what you've birthed.

Guest: Confidence Seleme – Author and Speaker

Guest: Gary Da Silva – Chairman The Official Fathers 4 Justice South Africa and Bongani Luvalo – Youth Activist And Development Practitioner And Founder Of The Cool Dad’s Foundation

Guest: Clement Chauke – Life Coach

Guest on line: Makhosi Andile Ngubane

Guest on line: El-Sun Mbatha – Astrologer of the cosmic intelligence of Azania

Guest: Paul Ndzimande – Life Coach, Author and Mental Wellness Advocate