Page 48 - Forbes - Africa (March 2020)

FORBES AFRICA
COVER STORY • POWER WOMEN

ization of R32.2 billion ($2.1 billion). and we agreed we would work to improve
Advancing the lives of the employees of Pick ‘n the country's economic conditions, and I
Pay drives her social pursuits. She leads initia- would advance education opportunities.
tives aimed at providing education and hous- This changed our whole business think-
ing assistance for employees and their children ing, and together with the ethos of consum-
as well as promoting students in academia and er sovereignty, we introduced Pick 'n Pay's
the arts. She has also introduced the distribu- core value that 'doing good is good busi-
tion of free antiretrovirals for those employees ness'.
living with HIV/Aids.
What is your proudest achievement?
When you look at your journey, what are Education has always been my passion and
some of the milestones? seeing my students succeed, realize their
At a time when our friends were leaving South potential and establish their careers are my
Africa, my husband and I discussed our future, proudest achievements.

CASTER SEMENYA,
SOUTH AFRICA

OLYMPIC CHAMPION
Life is a marathon, and Caster Semenya is fearless-
ly running her race. The two-time Olympic 800m
WENDY ACKERMAN, gold medallist made headlines when she publicly
challenged the international governing body of ath-
SOUTH AFRICA letics, IAAF’s ruling to have some women reduce
their testosterone levels to compete in the 400m
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PICK ‘N PAY to one-mile professional sporting events. Although
DAILY MANTRA: “Don’t procrastinate: if she didn’t succeed in appealing the ruling, Semenya
you have something to do, do it now and has inspired many not to conform to stereotypes,
don’t let it hang over your head.” and has cemented herself as the global face of gen-
der and racial equality in competitive sports. Seme-
Wendy Ackerman is married to business. She is nya is endorsed by Nike and has appeared in sever-
married to hard work that pays off. She is also al of their campaigns.
married to the mega retail empire, Pick ‘n Pay As of September 2019, the global icon has em-
Stores that she co-built with her husband, Ray- barked on a career in women’s football. She
mond Ackerman. has joined the Sasol Women’s League football
Pick ‘n Pay is currently listed on the Johannes- club JVW, owned by Banyana Banyana captain
burg Stock Exchange and has a market capital- Janine van Wyk.

RAWYA MANSOUR, EGYPT

FOUNDER AND CEO, RAMSCO
Born the only daughter in a family of four brothers, who have all become success-
ful businessmen, Rawya Mansour is carving out her path to punch well above the
boys. She is the founder of RAMSCO, a producer of high quality organic agricultural
products available at METRO, Egypt’s largest supermarket chain. Through RAMS-
CO, Mansour is contributing to the pressing issues facing Egypt and Africa: food in-
security, water shortage, energy scarcity while at the same time contributing to im-
proving the lives of rural farming communities, creating jobs, improving waste
management, promoting gender equality and equal pay.

What advice do you have for female entrepreneurs?
There are five. Firstly, follow through your idea with conviction, perseverance and
hard work. Develop a very thick skin in the face of the criticism, obstacles and chal-
lenges bound to confront you, or anyone, starting something new.
Secondly, everything in life is a work-in-progress and it is important to reflect on
what you have achieved so far and make necessary changes to the model until you
get it right.
Thirdly, involve your family as your biggest fans and the ones who want to see you
succeed the most. Consider their advice and reach out to them for support.
Fourthly, your team is your greatest asset and best ambassador: choose [them] well,
invest in [them], nurture [them] and motivate [them].
Lastly, whatever you do, do it with integrity, ethics, and consideration for others.

44 | FORBES AFRICA MARCH 2020 FORBESAFRICA.COM