Shernese

As the activity-packed Women’s Month draws to a close, renowned academic Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng drew from her rich experience as the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town to share practical insights with women on the lessons she has learnt to help them deftly navigate the multiple roles they play as caregivers, career women, wives, and mothers. Professor Phakeng addressed 60 leading women at a Women’s Month function hosted by Southern Sun and Proudly SA, held at Southern Sun Katherine Street, Sandton, under the theme "Celebrating the Brilliance and Resilience of Women Who Lead." The 2025 event is the tenth year that Proudly SA and Southern Sun have partnered in support of women's empowerment in South Africa. The two organisations share a common focus on workforce diversity and inclusion. A total of 68% of the staff at Proudly SA are women, with 71% in managerial roles and 50% in executive positions. Similarly, at Southern Sun, 56% of Southern Sun’s 5,500 employees are women, and women occupy 56% of top management and 51% of the group’s senior and mid management positions. Professor Phakeng urged the women delegates to take time off their demanding schedules to celebrate themselves. “Women miss the opportunity to pause from whatever occupies their time and celebrate themselves. As caregivers, we are good at celebrating others, but we don’t take the time to take a break and celebrate the milestones we have achieved, regardless of how insignificant we may think those achievements are. You don’t celebrate yourself because you are perfect, but you do because you are making progress,” said Phakeng. She pointed out that a pause by its very nature denotes a momentary break and should not be confused with abandoning one's life purpose or retirement. Building on the importance of pausing, Phakeng urged the women to periodically remove themselves from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to spend time alone with themselves. She noted that …