News Room

DR MOKGOKONG URGES WOMEN TO UNDERSTAND THEIR POWER AND TO USE IT APPROPRIATELY

DR MOKGOKONG URGES WOMEN TO UNDERSTAND THEIR POWER AND TO USE IT APPROPRIATELY

JOHANNESBURG, June 23, 2016 - Dr Anna Mokgokong, Chairperson of AfroCentric Health and Community Investment Holdings, has praised South Africa as a beacon of hope for women's rights the world over, but urged women to understand their power and use it appropriately.

Speaking at a women’s breakfast ahead of the 60th anniversary of the women’s march to the seat of power, the Union Buildings, to demand the scrapping of pass laws, Dr Mokgokong, who is also a Board member of Adcock Ingram Healthcare, said that not all women understand the potential they have to exercise their influence.

“The question is what you do when you are at the top, at the throne? I urge you to nurture women of tomorrow. Research has shown that women who lead in more nurturing ways can exercise power more effectively,” she said at the Inaugural Women in Leadership Breakfast event co-hosted by AfroCentric Health and Adcock Ingram Healthcare, at Gallagher Estate.

“As we get empowered, sitting on the throne of economic influence and strength, let us tap into this to touch the lives of myriads of people. As women we want a fair slice of the main economy of our country and to be accorded the necessary respect in the community. I prefer to take the view that there is no need to be afraid of women’s strength, the power of the throne, but rather to respect it,” said Dr Mokgokong.

The event was attended by approximately 300 women across all sectors of society, including Ms Susan Shabangu, Minister in The Presidency (and some of her women Cabinet colleagues), who emphasised that women should be positioned to take up all opportunities whether they be economic empowerment, or social empowerment, for example, making sure that transformation in South Africa happens and that women are not an afterthought.

Doreen Kosi, Public Affairs Executive at Adcock Ingram said: “Our products are marketed to women for their consumption and that of their children. Therefore, it is logical that we engage directly with them as an important stakeholder and support them in their efforts. This we do through community and government partnerships through our Corporate Social Investment programme.

“We are delighted with the outcome and intend to make this an annual event,” continued Kosi. “Today’s event served as a platform to encourage women to use their influence appropriately and we most certainly feel it is worthwhile to sustain the momentum.”