A South African first: The Johannesburg Business Women’s Club
The club was established in 1985 by a brave consortium of women who challenged the status quo: A world ruled by men and in which women did not have equal rights.
A home for our women: The National Council for Business Women
As other cities started to follow Johannesburg’s suit, it became necessary to create a home where all these business clubs efforts could be united. Hence the founding of the National Council
Our very first President: Rika Venter
The first five
Proving that women empowerment needed a go-to place in business, five Business Women’s Clubs were established across the country by 1992
Recognising our business women’s achievements
In 2003, the National Council for Business Women took over the renowned Business Women of the Year Competition from the Johannesburg Business Women’s Club. Ever since, this competition has literally become life-altering for the nominees and winners involved, who i.e., doubled their turnover due to the public recognition and exposure.
Our Gala Evenings: Celebrating in style
Kotie Botha: Making her voice heard amongst men
In 1992, our then President Kotie Botha, held a function at RAU, which attracted top speakers from the country. One of the female speakers voiced her opinion about the fact that high riser buildings did not provide female restrooms on top floors, as the belief was that women would never make it to leadership positions anyway.
Matty Reid: Waking women up to the cold, hard facts
Winner of the 1988 Entrepreneurial Business Woman of the Year award, Matty Reid, publically tackled a controversial women empowerment topic: That women were not allowed to do anything on their own, without the permission of their husbands. This included owning a business, taking out a loan and even having their own tax number
By splitting off and forming its own entity
In 1990, the Johannesburg Business Women’s Club seceded from the Johannesburg Business Chamber. To do so, the women first had to explain to the male management of the Chamber, what the purpose was of this “women thing” they were busy doing.
Theresa van der Merwe: Speaking at the AHI, now SBI
In 1993, George Huysamer from the “Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI),” which is now the Small Business Institute (SBI), approached the National Council of Business Women to lead one of the four talking points at one of their congresses. Theresa van der Merwe was selected by the Council and she made us proud by delivering an outstanding speech on the topic of entrepreneurship
Pat Gorvalla: A true inspiration
In 1991, Pat Gorvalla from Cape Town won the Entrepreneurial Business Woman of the Year Award. She was originally a teacher who needed to supplement her salary, so she came up with the idea to offer a weekend taxi service. Her ‘weekend business’ soon earned more than her fulltime job and within a record time, she owned 22 taxis and four S Class Mercedes Benz vehicles. This inspired her to become a serial entrepreneur who started up several other businesses, including a petroleum- and panel beating enterprise, as well as a hair salon and florist, to name but a few.
Thelma Mathamelo: Embracing diversity
In support of our country’s Constitution, the Council actively engaged with women of all races and religions. In 2010, Thelma Mathamelo became the first black President. Since then, a multitude of black business women has seen the value of joining the Council and currently, Erikka Motang from Liel Consulting also served as a member of the Board
Reconnecting. Re-engineering.
Presidents
