The Tshwane University of Technology’s School for Business and Society hosted a transformative women’s empowerment event on March 7, 2024, at the Dinokeng Auditorium on the university’s main campus. The program not only celebrated the achievements of the class of 2024 but also welcomed incoming students for the 2025 academic year.
Founded in 2019 by Dr. Tessa Herbst, a member of the Academic Leadership Development and Research team, the Women Leadership Program was created to empower women remind women of the power they possess and encouraging them to recognize their own potential. Dr. Herbst emphasized that sending women to skills training alone is not enough, noting, “It’s not about the skills—they lack confidence and belief in themselves.”
The program aims to create a space for women to embrace their authentic selves, rather than trying to conform. As Dr. Herbst explains, the initiative seeks to change the culture at the university, making it more inclusive and better suited to the specific needs of women leaders.
This Executive Education Programme is designed to empower women leaders, focusing on personal growth, leadership development, effective communication, and inclusive leadership. The programme helps women cultivate self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-mastery, while crafting their leadership identity, brand, and narrative. Participants develop powerful communication and negotiation skills, and learn to create diverse, welcoming environments that foster collaboration, innovation, and productivity.
Ultimately, the program aims to provide women leaders with the tools and confidence to inspire meaningful change, influence decision-making, and lead with authenticity. It also creates a supportive network of women leaders, empowering them to shape the future.
The event featured notable speakers such as Keithumetse Lebaka, CEO of the Gauteng Film Commission, who shared her personal journey and success story, and Professor Vanissa Naidoo Wessel Venter, a Master Coach, who offered valuable insights into leadership. Additionally, six students from the class of 2024 shared their testimonies, reflecting on the significant personal and professional growth they experienced through the program.
The Women Leadership Program runs annually, with weekly sessions throughout the year. In 2025, it will include 13 days of in-person contact sessions, complemented by five 2-hour virtual peer coaching learning circles.
