A Woman of Substance
Last night Dr. Thandi Ndlovu won the prestigious Woman of Substance Award. This honour was bestowed on her by the African Woman Chartered Accountants (AWCA). Below are her words of thanks and gratitude.
From 2005 you have chosen to identify with women, who in your well considered view, stood out in society. Your main consideration being their ability to identify, nurture and lead other women to build a reservoir of women leaders for the future.
Between the late Minister Stella Sigcau and Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is in a group of highly committed women who I have personally looked up to. All of them have had a huge impact in my life.
In 1996 the late Minister Sigcau instructed the CEO’s of the 7 major JSE listed construction companies to – in her own words – “Empower Thandi and Motheo.” This started a long journey culminating in the signing of a Voluntary Rebuilding Programme earlier this year.
In 2012 I was a recipient of a huge dividend payout from an investment facilitated by one your previous recipients of this award – Wendy Luhabe- who assisted a small women owned investment company I belong to, to participate in a high return venture.
More recently, the NEF, under the leadership of Philisiwe Mthethwa have shown incredible funding support.
I therefore, wish to thank you most heartly for the honour of adding my name on the list of these amazing women.
I thank my family, my dear husband, my domestic staff, close friends and all those who are with me tonight, who over the past twenty years of creating Motheo, have “stood in” for me. To Chris, Tim and Trevor you have proven to South Africa that there are white males who can allow a black woman to stand on their shoulders as we, together, cross the river that for centuries divided our people. Motheo’s Truly Empowered motto is held true by your tireless dedication towards growing black people.
Finally, I wish to dedicate this award to a women whose deep love for empowering others, nurturing heart for aspiring younger women and focused drive to spur others on to remember those less fortunate. Mrs. Zanele Mbeki.
Mrs. Zanele Mbeki could not be with us tonight to receive this award with me. She sends AWCA her best regards. I am positive that together with her, we shall add our bit to the work you do in making a difference in the lives of others.
Thank you.
