More than three decades after the first inclusive election the country faces pressures locally and internationally.  Now more than ever leaders in Government and SOE’s are called to prove the critics wrong.  Pinpoint Stewards a women owned, SA company is on a mission to profile specifically, women leaders who are more than capable to lead, working hard to turn the tide towards progress, trust and stability by sharing their leadership tips.

These leaders from various spheres of SA Government and SOE’s will be addressing the 3rd Annual Women and Leadership in Government and State-Owned Enterprises, taking place on 28-29 May, Indaba Hotel, Fourways. The conference includes men, with a focus on tapping into leadership development for women.

The keynote address will be delivered Deputy Minister, Bernice Swarts, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment(DFFE).  In March 2023, she was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure by the President of the Republic and in July 2024, she was appointed as Deputy Minister the DFFE.

Some of the key topics that will be addressed include: Creating an inclusive and diverse workforce through leadership that unifies rather than divide, presented by, Adv Millicent Malebye, Chief Director: Labour Relations Improvement, Office of the Public Service Commission. She is the first legally qualified black female to work in the Office for Serious Economic Offences, which was later known as the Directorate for Special Operations (“ the Scorpions”), first black female to work as an investigator in the Office of the Public Protector South Africa. Also she is the first Director: Special Investigations (unit currently known as Public Administration Investigations) in the Office of the Public Service Commission to name a few of her achievements.

MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, MEC for Roads and Transport, Gauteng, who will be focussing her talk on representation of women in higher institutional levels within Government and offering women more seats at the boardroom table.

Addressing, how to build trust as a leader by giving clear direction towards a goal, will be MMC Chantal Gomes - Public Safety & Roads, Midvaal Local Municipality. Chantal has had the privilege of serving as the MMC Corporate Services, as well as the MMC Public Safety & Roads in Midvaal Local Municipality, one of the top performing municipalities in the country.

Ugeshni Naidoo, Senior Manager: Community Safety, SALGA will in turn be speaking on ways in which women in the public sector can contribute towards the elimination of GBV and poverty in their respective communities. Ugeshni holds a Master of Public Management Degree with a specialisation in strategic management. Her previous roles include her functioning as a Director in the office of the MMC for Community Safety in the City of Johannesburg where she ensured an oversight function in terms of compliance and governance to the Department. She was also the Deputy Chief of Police in Ekurhuleni Metro Police (EMPD)with the role of Chief of Staff from 2013 to 2017.

Beke Moloi, General Manager, Learning & Development, Eskom, will provide a bird’s eye view on how Eskom develops and empowers its female leaders through the Eskom Women Advancement Programme (EWAP) as chair of the committee. Under her leadership, the first business case for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in South Africa was produced in 2021. She is a board member of TAPP Trans Africa Projects Pty (Ltd) and a non-executive director of the Eskom Enterprises Board etc.

Addressing the critical topic of creating accountability partners to ensure a safety net for women in your succession team, will be tackled by Nozipho Booi, Chief Director – Economic Development and Tourism, Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environment Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT). She is the first Graduate for Masters in Maritime Studies at NMU 2021, she also holds a B.comm Economics and Management, B.comm Honours in Economics (Financial Markets) and a Masters in Development Studies, Masters in Maritime, Accelerated Development Programme for Women in Maritime.

Lt Gen Khosi Senthumule, Divisional Commissioner Detective and Forensic Services (DDG), SAPS, will tailor her talk on, becoming an effective government leader by knowing how to stay cool under pressure while tackling challenges. Her accolades include, 1st Female Head of Counter Terrorism and board member for Police Medical Aid (Polmed) for two terms, 1st Head of Organised Crime Investigations for SAPS and DPCI and the 1st Female Head of Counter and Security Intelligence for SAPS and project managed, she is also the 1st International Association for Women to be held in Africa.

Identifying early signs of burnout and asserting your life-work balance will be addressed by Buhle Makhanya, Industrial Psychologist Senior Manager: Research & Diagnostics, Ethekwini Municipality. Buhle is the Chair SIOPSA Interest Group Mental Health, best leader HC Transformation and lead for eThekwini Municipality (Winner and Finalist of the SABPP and Standard Bank Awards Women’s Award).

Pfumelani Mbulayeni, Managing Director, PM Aviation, will be focusing on, nurturing and growing your team and talent pool by motivating them to take ownership and be accountable for their mandate as elected leaders. She is the first black female Aeronautical Engineer in South Africa and has over 20 years’ experience in Civil and Defence Aviation. She serves on numerous committees/councils, including the International Air Services Licensing Council (IASC), Regulating Committee for Meteorological Services (RCMS), etc., and also serves as non-executive director of a USA based RPAs (Remotely Piloted Systems - She also has a YOUTUBE channel “Great Things”, highlighting the successful stories of ordinary people doing great things.

To ensure public servants are in attendance in full force, the conference is priced within National Treasury guidelines in mind. In order to register or enquire contact Pinpoint Stewards via email on info@pinpointstewards.co.za Early registrations close 1 May.