Mpumelelo Masango
Imagine this: You are in one of the most beautiful and coveted resorts in Africa, surrounded by designer bags, scarves, dresses, shoes and scents. Beautiful, educated women from all walks of life are filling up the conference room with their name tags that display their accomplishments for all to momentarily witness. Undeniable confidence and understated class are prevalent in the room, and that is how you know that Chartered Accountants are in the building. I place the word Chartered before Accountant with much caution and respect because the AWCA 20th Anniversary conference and gala dinner certainly reminded us non CA(SA)’s that the title is earned and should not be disrespected!
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This women’s’ month, we had the privilege of attending The African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) Forum’s 20th Anniversary Celebration Conference, which was hosted at the Sun City Resort in the North West Province. When you go about your daily life, complete your daily tasks and live your life mundanely, you often forget that other people’s lives are always extraordinary and that is exactly what I experienced at the AWCA conference and gala award ceremony. I got to experience what so many young women of colour never see and that was female excellence at its peak. Although this was an exclusive event and only a select number of guests, esteemed and aspiring were present, the room was filled with potential and excellence driven by passion, experience and healthy networking.
Founded with the intention to build a community where African women could support each other and lean on each other’s understanding. The forum was also established to lend a helping hand to new entrants in the industry, whether they are fresh from undergraduate lecture rooms or are working their way upwards the corporate ladder. This sisterhood is intentional in uplifting women by offering a wealth of knowledge, extensive networks and practical solutions on how to successfully dominate any industry they are a part of.
In this year’s conference, the unfortunate state of our country was disgracefully revealed in a panel discussion composed of women and a man who are leaders in their respective fields. In the first panel discussion, the topic of education and innovation was raised and although the inefficiencies of our already flawed education system were revealed, there were a lot of hopeful and encouraging utterances which encouraged minds both impressionable and adept to dream, dare and deliver.
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A long break and two or three misbehaved monkeys later, it was now time for the main event – the gala dinner and award ceremony. The ambience was one where you had to be there to experience. Everything from the gowns to the decor was magnificent, an extravagant display of hard work and excellence. The air conditioned events room carefully decorated with zirconium, candles and colourful strobe lights was a testament of how much being in the right places with the right people can get you far in your respective career. When Just Us by Two Tons ‘O Fun blared on the speakers and all the former board members and new board members danced their way up onto the brightly lit stage, it was a testament to every girl and woman from any background that greatness is within and that there is always a community of capable women ready to lend a helping hand whenever you need.
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In conclusion, this event was a reminder that greatness lies within each of us and that when girls are given the correct resources, they can shift economies, uplift communities and transform the overall socio-economic state. Always remember that Girls Run The World!
Now that you’re here, check out Fantastic Day Trips From Cape Town.