1. Breaking gender stereotypes: Discussing how women have shattered societal expectations and paved the way for other women in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Discussing how women have shattered societal expectations and paved the way for other women in traditionally male-dominated fields. In recent years, South Africa has witnessed a remarkable rise in female empowerment particularly in leadership roles, where women are carving their path to success in various sectors. Women leaders are emerging as champions of change, redefining gender norms, and proving their mettle in traditionally male-dominated industries. Mary Phadi is one of those woman who'll be telling us her story. 

Mary Phadi is the mother an entrepreneur who entered the male-dominated world of the Trucking Industry in 2006. Mary is the Director of Basadi Logistics and is the Founder & the President of TASA - Truckers Association of South Africa, a forum established by Truckers in South Africa. She is the author of the book - ‘Destined to Reign’.

In 2022 Mary was featured in the G20 EMPOWER Women Leadership book from Indonesia, this book is based on a study involving more than 150 best practices from 23 countries in the implementation of various private sector policies and initiatives to strengthen corporate commitment and performance to women's leadership.

She obtained her experience while working for major Coal companies, mainly, Anglo Coal at New Denmark Colliery and Sasol Mining as a Secretary. Mary is the former Spokesperson of the Coal Transporters Forum, 

- She is the former Member of the Sector Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Charter Council 

- She is the former National Chairperson of the Women in Transport (SANWIT)

- Mary sat as a Judge in the TRANSPORT EVOLUTION AFRICA EXPO for Women in Transport Awards for 2020 & 2021.

2. Celebrating women's achievements: Recognizing and honoring the accomplishments of women in various fields such as science, technology, arts, sports, and activism.

Women's economic empowerment is a moral imperative and a necessary condition for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Empowering women economically can have a positive ripple effect on their families, communities, and entire societies. Women's economic empowerment is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty, promoting economic growth. Bonolo Mashilo will be taking us through her journey, that lead her to having a successful fashion busines! 

Bonolo Mashilo is an accomplished Village girl from Limpopo who identifies as an entrepreneur, fashion designer and CEO of BMashilo Designs. Best known for her exquisite designs and signature style, Bonolo has cemented herself as a leading figure in the South African fashion industry. Since resigning from her 9-5, BMashilo Designs now boasts two offices in Pretoria and a satellite branch in Polokwane aswell as an online store. Bonolo has dressed high-profile clients such as Thuso Mbedu, The public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, Basetsana Khumalo, Makhadzi and  has been  featured on the popular television show, The Queen Mzansi.

3. Intersectionality: Exploring how different aspects of a woman's identity (race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, etc.) intersect with gender to shape her experiences and resilience.

Most white people have grown up segregated from other racial groups and are particularly protected from the stress generated by racism, which is perversely present in the lives of black, indigenous, and other racially discriminated peoples. Thus it becomes emotionally fragility in addressing racism authentically. This white isolation leads to a racially-comfortable environment with “protective cushions”, without any development of the emotional and cognitive skills to face racial stress, to talk about racism, and face questions about white privileges. White people are rarely without these “protective cushions”. But this is not the case with Killer Heller who has faced her own kind straight in the face and condemned racism head on and she'll be taking us on her experiences! 

Kim Heller a writer, political strategist and commentator, strategic communication, media, and social economic development specialist.  An independent media, social and political analyst. Her writings on the lack of social and economic transformation and justice in South Africa have been published, both locally and internationally. With her outspoken views on white supremacy, privilege and power have been televised in South Africa and beyond. 

Kim is currently working on two non-fiction books. Politically, she has worked on national and provincial political campaigns, conducted political polling and post-campaign analysis for the ANC, Independent Newspapers and the EFF. Ideologically, Kim Heller is a strong advocate for radical economic transformation. Was a member of the ANC for many years and left the ANC to join the EFF in 2014, also left the EFF to follow her passion of writing. She is also the author of a best selling book "No white lies". 

4. Leadership and empowerment: Discussing examples of black individuals who have excelled in leadership roles and exploring ways to empower more black men and women to take on leadership positions in various spheres.

The term “Black Excellence” was coined and used when celebrating the achievements of Black people within the American community. While this phrase has no specific origin, the intention behind its use seems to be genuinely positive. But what is "Black Exellence"? While it is imperative to acknowledge the achievements of black individuals in this society structured for them to fail, is it possible that the term “Black Excellence” is hurting the black community more than it is upholding and celebrating us? 

Is it a term coined white people to celebrate black people who are dancing to thier tune? 

Black excellence is supposed be beneficial to the black community because it equities this excellence to a black individual upholding his/her community, as opposed to a single action which primarily benefits that one individual. But the epic failure of black empowerment policies have paved the way for a new kind of apartheid in South Africa which seeks to maintain the status quo at all costs and perpetually keep black people at the lowest rung of the social and economic hierarchy, and unfortunately we've seen individuals who have been coined as "Black Exellence" being elevated as long as they are pushing an agenda to oppress the black majority, they are used as pawns in the white man’s power game. 

But not Brian Molefi, Molefe’s qualifications include the following: Honorary Doctorate in Engineering, University of Glasgow Caledonian; Masters of Business Leadership, University of South Africa; Post-Graduate Diploma in Economics, London University, School of Oriental and African Studies and a Bachelor of Commerce, University of South Africa. Majors: Accounting and Economics, and much more! But it is not the education he acquired that makes him stand out but he is the epitome of "Black Exellence" in its true sence. 

When Brian Molefe joined Eskom in April 2015, Molefe and his executive management team they turned around the company’s operational and financial performance, with 15 months of no load shedding, the impact of which was enjoyed by every South African citizen.  The improved performance of the power generating units, coupled with additional capacity from some of the new build projects,  resulted in a stable power system, with excess capacity even being exported to neighbouring states. And Brain Molefe will be a speaker at the event. 

5. Breakthrough achievements: Celebrate the notable achievements of black professionals in South Africa, ranging from groundbreaking research, innovations, and inventions to significant contributions in various sectors. Discuss their impact on their respective fields and how they have shattered stereotypes and paved the way for future generations.

The work of many extraordinary black people in the technology industry are  largely unrecognized, who made important and lasting innovations in a range of industries.  Documentation of the realities of black technical creativity have been hidden from us and there's generally a historical perception that black people were and are technically incompetent.

Matshela Koko is one of those innovators, a South African-born Senior Executive. He is best known as the former Eskom Group Chief Executive Officer. He is currently the Managing Director of Matshela Energy. Matshela Energy is licensed to build, operate and maintain a 100MW Solar PV Power Plant with a 10MW battery energy storage system in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South, Republic of Zimbabwe.

But he is well known for his role of his sterling work at Eskom and ending loadshedding. 

7. Recognizing the strength and resilience of black women 

When we talk of women emancipation, we must take cognizant of that we are all affected by discriminatory practices, it is always multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that create the most intricate, sticky, choking web of deprivation, of denial of rights, which in turn hinders, undermines, obstructs, oppresses. Until we get rid of those practices then we can not achieve our goal. And Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has been at the helm of ever discrimination one can think of. 

Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane is a South African advocate, prosecutor and ombudsman, who has served as the 4th Public Protector of South Africa from 2016.

Mkhwebane started her career in 1994 by joining the Department of Justice as a Public Prosecutor. From 1996 she was Legal Administrative Officer in the International Affairs Directorate. In 1998, she became a senior researcher at the South African Human Rights Commission. A year later, she became a senior investigator and acting provincial representative in the Public Protector’s office. She left in 2005 to join the Department of Home Affairs as the director for refugee affairs. In 2009, she became acting chief director in asylum seekers management.

She worked at State Security Agency for a period of 3 months before appointed the 4th Public Protector of SA. 

She remains our beacon of hope in what a true and authentic revolutionary should epitomize!