In South Africa, August marks Women's Month, and National Women's Day serves as an opportunity to highlight the issues women are facing, from gender based violence to schooling, from parenting to equal pay and career opportunities.

To mark Women's Day this year, at 18:00 (BST, 19:00 ZA time) on 10th August, the South African Chamber of Commerce UK will be sharing with five amazingly talented women who have achieved against the odd and many being "first in" and have excelled in various and remarkable ways.

What is beautiful, is each women can be a icon or role model for other women as each one has remained a beautiful person, true to their roots, supporting others, particularly other women. 

Each will be sharing their personal insights into the highlights and challenges that have shaped them and made them the person they are today.  We shall hear of the three pillars that answer the question "why" and "who".

Panellists:

• Cath Coetzer, Global Vice President, Marketing & Public Affairs, Communication, Sustainability Services at Coca-Cola and Vice President SACC USA.  A pragmatic leader, with a passion to drive high performance, innovation and engagement.  A strong global thinker & strategist with experience in over 40 countries and through her role at International Womens' Leadership Council and beyond, a passion for the women agenda.
 
• Annabel Vundla – Annabel Vundla – At a very young age Annabel rose through the ranks of the Air force to become the chosen pilot for President Nelson Mandela’s when he was traversing the country and the globe.. Annabel broke many barriers, and was the first black female pilot and flying instructor in the Air Force. After a distinguished career flying for the VIP Transport squadron of the SA Air Force, Annabel is now flying an Airbus A320 for South African Airways.

• Carmen Stevens – Award winning black, female winemaker, with her own winery, Amani, in Stellenbosch.  Wine gives wings to her creative streak and has made her the first in many fields, one being first black female South African winemaker.  Inspired by her own roots, she is founder of the Carmen Stevens Foundation which ensures that school children are fed properly at school, removing many risks and delivering educated children.

• Nicci Scott - a pioneer and trailblazer, defining new frontiers in the field of Transport and Logistics. An experienced serial entrepreneur, she boasts six business awards, an MBA and she is a mentor for the Cheri Blair foundation.

• Nene Molefi - A sought after speaker for conferences around the world on diversity, inclusion, unconscious bias, values driven leadership and transformation.  Nene, is a member of the Diversity Collegium, a think tank of globally-recognised diversity experts.  She is a co-author of the Global Diversity Equity and Inclusion Benchmarks ( GDEIB)-Standards around the World .She is also a Board member of The Centre for Global Inclusion. and author of the thought provoking book, “A Journey of Diversity and inclusion in South Africa” . She is an associate lecturer for Duke University SA on DEI and High Performing Teams.

We will be challenging these women, teasing out the lessons they have learnt for our benefit, they will make us laugh, cry and flow over with admiration.

This event is free, but booking is essential. Links will be sent out in the 24 hours prior to the event.

The South African High Commission to the UK is delighted to announce the UK launch of the Circle of Global Business Women (CGBW), to take place virtually in London from 10:00am on August 6th 2021. The launch in London represents the first step of the CGBW into the international sphere, where women and women’s organisations are invited to participate from around the world.
 
The CGBW was established as a non-profit in South Africa on April 15th this year, to connect women worldwide, leverage resources and create a global community of women who are empowered. It's a unique organisation, established by African women and women dedicated to Africa which aims to elevate African women to global forums and markets. CGBW welcomes involvement, affiliations and partnerships with existing women’s organisations from around the world who are working towards compatible aims. Existing partners include the Generation Equality Forum.
 
In addition to providing networking opportunities to members and mentoring from authentic women leaders from across the corporate sector, CGBW will also provide skill sharing and practical training to empower women to break through the glass ceiling into the boardrooms of leading global corporations - and flourish in that environment. It will also run Enterprise Development Programmes and deliver training on e-commerce platforms and marketing to equip entrepreneurial women to compete in global commercial markets. More details are available on their website.
 
The theme of the meeting will be "The Role of Women in the Global Economy" and feature prominent speakers from South Africa, the UK and around the world; including:

Sindi Tshabalala-Mzamo, President CGBW
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Lweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation
His Excellency Mr Aurélien Lechevallier, Ambassador of France to South Africa

Additional speakers will be announced soon!

Let us come together to celebrate all aspects of being a woman. An afternoon of inspiration, activities, workshops and fun – bringing us together, wherever we are in the world.

Delight Mapasure is a Zimbabwean-born businesswoman who is putting boerewors on the UK map.  Her products are now in mainstream retail, and she was on the 2021 series of Dragons’ Den.  Dee will share some of her insights about being a woman in business and how she finds her inspiration to keep going.

Rochelle Skead is a Specialised Kinesiology. Join Rochelle for a quick tune up of your mental, emotional, physical and energetic aspects to clear the baggage of low frequency.

Fleur van Eeden is retired Hollywood stunt woman and adventure girl who will be sharing her experiences of ‘Small Town to Big Screen’ to inspire us to chase our dreams.

Tracy Little is a healer and will take us through a mindful meditation of self-love –‘loving who you are right now, having compassion for yourself, seeing yourself in eyes of source energy, the divine, God.’

Abigail Klopper is a brand photographer and runs her own women’s membership community.  The 4 quadrants of Abigail's Profile Compass will help you gain confidence. When you understand yourself, you can have a big impact on the world.

Jean Creasey has a herbalist with a hugely successful natural skincare range. Jean’s session is: ‘Is Menopause supposed to be a menace? How to tell if you are in perimenopause, full menopause, and the natural ways you can get your hormones back into balance.’

Monica Dowling is a talented crafter. In her short session, and using what you have at home, Monica will show you how you can relax and unwind with crafts and make something lovely!

Yulia Bolshakova is a Russian-born, Cape Town-based Virtual Assistant who is the master of adaptivity. Yulia will explore how we deal with big and extreme changes by choice or by chance, and some tools to help you cope.

Hayley Joy Weinberg is a Plus Size Clothing Designer who has inspired women for 15 years to love themselves. The 'Toolbox in your Head' is about getting out of a very dark, negative and uninspired place, but creating a positive from every negative - a journey of self-realisation.

Dawn Denton is a content creator, writer, trainer, radio and podcast host. Her short session is about making goal setting fun!

Join us and a host of sporting talent for a fantastic day's golf, where you and your guests will play with an international sports icon to compete as a team of 4 on Sunningdale's historic Old Course. The day includes a relaxed champagne breakfast, complimentary use of practice facilities, followed by a 9am shotgun start. On course team and individual skills prizes to be won, to support the inevitable competitive spirit that will no doubt be settled at the 19th hole!

A traditional Club lunch will be served, during which some of our sports stars will keep you entertained with amusing and inspiring tales of winning, losing and learning in professional sport. An auction offering the chance to win some really special prizes and one-off experiences will follow.