The past weekend may seem like any other weekend. For PRISA Limpopo Region, it was certainly far from ordinary. The Business Women’s Association of South Africa (BWASA) Limpopo in partnership with Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) Limpopo held an International Women’s Day Dialogue with women leaders from various sectors.

In attendance was the Chief Risk Officer of Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) Ms Theresa Raophala; President of Netball South Africa Ms Cecilia Molokwane; Chairperson BWASA Limpopo Ms Tshepo Mathabatha,  Chairperson Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) Limpopo Ms Phuti Mothapo.

The International Women’s Day organizing partners shared their insights on this significant day. “We need to coordinate our efforts to accelerate gender parity in an integrated manner to ensure maximum impact”, said Tshepo Mathabatha of BWASA.

Confirming the importance of not only partnership but encouraging women, Ms Phuti Mothapo, PRISA Limpopo regional chairperson said “We advocate for women to develop and nurture a pull-up syndrome and more over ensure documentation of the good work women are doing in general. We are good in narrating it is time that we shift the poles towards documenting our work. We need to share the knowledge beyond the circle of people we know.”

Sharing her journey in sports the President of Netball South Africa, Africa and Board Member of World Netball Cecilia Molokwane, said being a woman in leadership is very challenging yet fulfilling. “However it’s about being the change you want to see, you take tough decisions and because you have a vision nothing can deter you. I want to professionalise netball seeing as it’s the number one (1) female sport in this country.

We are also working towards having a dedicated Television Channel.  Every effort is made to encourage young girls to go for their dreams regardless of how far removed they are from their reality” said Molokwane.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme was “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”. “The reality is that women in leadership are in minority however you need to be aware of your environment, know your cause and purpose in order to deal with the harsh reality in your position to make an impact”, said Ledile Molope PEO of SALGA Limpopo.

Women agreed the days of looking for someone to blame are over. “We should pull each other up, starting with the women in our own environment. We need each other to make a difference. This we do not for ourselves but for future generations” said Theresa Raophala Chief Risk Officer of LEDA.

“PRISA is proud of innovative leadership like Ms Phuti Mothapo for ensuring that strategic relationships are established and partnerships are forged as well as maintained.” said PRISA CEO, Victor Sibeko. “We are delighted that a commitment was made to ensure collaboration in all programs of the organisations present at the Dialogue.” he added in closing.