The awards now feature categories, which include entrepreneurs, professionals, women in corporates, start-ups and social entrepreneurs. Nominations close on 12 March 2010 and the finalist and winners will be fêted at a gala banquet in May 2010.
South Africa needs more women in influential positions, and organisations like can inspire women to aim high. This, says BWA national vice-president Ferose Oaten, is the primary objective of the awards.
Last year the BWA in the Cape received 60 nominations for the awards. This year, Oaten says the BWA would like to double the nominations so that the awards continue to be a growing platform to showcase women business leaders in the country. “We are urging the public to come on board and help us identify the amazing businesswomen out there,” she says.
According to Oaten, publicly recognising and rewarding women for their achievements and encouraging more of them to achieve leadership positions will ensure that women's issues are kept on the agenda. She added that it would also contribute to better outcomes for the country in many respects.
“It is vitally important that women are encouraged and supported to take on greater leadership and decision-making roles in every aspect of South African society, and this is the reason that the RBAA is open to women in so many categories and to such a wide spectrum of business sectors.
“Our aim has always been to include as many categories in the awards as possible so that it is relevant for all women leaders in the country,” she says, thus in 2009 they were expanded to include a social entrepreneur category.
Oaten explains that the nominations process is simple. “If the woman you would like to nominate is a role model and is actively making a difference within her company, in the corporate sphere or in the community, then we want to hear about her, all you have to do is fill out the nomination form,” she commented.
For nomination forms go to www.bwasa.co.za.
