The Wits Business School/FASSET Women Empowerment Programme is in full swing following the historic agreement that was signed in December last year.  A total of 75 delegates have already graduated from the programme, with 400 more to follow during the course of 2023.

The programme aims to ignite the careers of black women in the finance and accounting sectors, providing them a rare opportunity to develop their skills and confidence as future leaders of African organisations and break through the gender barrier at boardroom level.

“The success of this programme is testament to the power of joining forces with like-minded partners,” says Leoni Grobler, Director of Executive Education at WBS.  “We are inspired by FASSET’s level of commitment and passion when it comes to ensuring women find their voices as managers and leaders.  At WBS we share the same vision and we are excited to be able to impact the lives of so many women in this country.”

Chief Executive Officer at FASSET, Ms Ayanda Mafuleka, says that diversity at executive level needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

“The slow pace of transformation of gender representation in African boardrooms is something we can no longer ignore. At FASSET we strive to make a tangible difference to the lives of individuals as well as to facilitate the transformation of the sector as a whole. A lot still needs to be done to empower women in finance and accounting, but thanks to our partnership with WBS we are already making great strides in a relatively short space of time!”

The WBS/FASSET partnership includes a customised Executive Development Programme (EDP) and a Management Advancement Programme (MAP) for Future Change Leaders which caters for senior executives and middle managers in the finance and accounting sector. The first MAP cohort for 2023 started their programme in March.

“It has been very gratifying to see our classrooms full to the brim with new delegates excited to be embarking on their learning and leadership journey. At WBS we are humbled to be able to play a role in helping to fast-track the careers of these dynamic women and start to meaningfully close the persistent gender gap,” says Grobler.

For media enquiries:
Alison Gaylard
Alison.gaylard@wits.ac.za