Join our next exciting discussion
Arriving and Thriving in Africa
- Saturday, 6 December 2025
- 10:00 - 13:00 South African Standard Time (SAST)
The event opens with a fireside conversation between Tumi Dlamini, Corporate Lawyer and Technical Advisor at the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in discussion with Dr Phindile Cebekhulu-Msomi, transformative entrepreneur, business and leadership coach, and advocate for inclusive growth. Tumi will share insights on governance from an African Union perspective, exploring how women can navigate boardroom dynamics, influence policy, and drive transformation across the continent.
After a short networking and brunch session, the programme continues with a Masterclass on Financial Planning led by Mpho Nzimande, CFP®, Regional Manager at PPS Insurance Company. This practical session will empower participants with tools to strengthen their financial confidence and make informed decisions that support sustainable personal and professional growth.
More about Women on Boards
Women on Boards is dedicated to empowering women who serve on boards, committees and other governing body structures. It recognizes the unique challenges women face in leadership roles and provides a platform to foster growth, confidence, and excellence in governance.
Through a series of engaging discussions and mentorship opportunities, the programme seeks to strengthen women’s influence in boardrooms and ensure they are equipped to lead effectively. By connecting accomplished female board members with emerging leaders, the programme builds a supportive network where experience and wisdom are shared.
At the heart of this initiative are masterclasses and fireside chats led by accomplished leaders who have broken barriers and paved the way for gender inclusivity in governance. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including leadership strategies, navigating boardroom dynamics, ethical decision-making, and fostering diversity and inclusion.
By learning directly from seasoned professionals, participants gain invaluable insights that prepare them to tackle real-world challenges and maximize their impact on the boards they serve.
Starting in Southern Africa, this initiative is intended to expand its quality education globally through collaboration.
In the news
Power Up
8 September 2025
According to the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, there’s still a long road ahead, with large gender disparities persisting in many regions. But there’s also some progress to highlight. South Africa, for example, ranked 20th globally in closing the gender gap, having achieved an impressive 78% gap closure. That’s significantly higher than the Sub-Saharan Africa regional average, which came in at just 68.2%, placing the region sixth out of eight globally.
So, what does this mean for gender equality in Africa and beyond? We speak to Co-Founder, WomenOnBoards and Deputy Company Secretary, PPS, Judith Chinkumbi, as we unpack what invisible barriers women still face when climbing the leadership ladder, even in companies with gender equity policies.
SAFM - The Morning Bliss
5 September 2025
According to the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, there’s still a long road ahead, with large gender disparities persisting in many regions. But there’s also some progress to highlight. South Africa, for example, ranked 20th globally in closing the gender gap, having achieved an impressive 78% gap closure. That’s significantly higher than the Sub-Saharan Africa regional average, which came in at just 68.2%, placing the region sixth out of eight globally.
So, what does this mean for gender equality in Africa and beyond? We speak to Co-Founder, WomenOnBoards and Deputy Company Secretary, PPS, Judith Chinkumbi, as we unpack what invisible barriers women still face when climbing the leadership ladder, even in companies with gender equity policies.
Our past events
Ethical and Resilient Leadership in a Turbulent World
- Saturday, 1 November 2025
The event opens with a fireside conversation between Mrs. Neo Dongwana, seasoned board director and former chairperson of leading listed companies, in discussion with Delia Ndlovu. Mrs. Dongwana will share lessons on leading with courage, steadiness, and purpose amid volatility, offering practical insights on ethical and resilient leadership.
After a short networking break, the programme continues with an Ethics Masterclass by Prof. Deon Rossouw CD (SA), Chairperson of the International Banknote Ethics Initiative, exploring how ethical principles strengthen trust, credibility, and decision-making in governance.
Together, these sessions equip leaders and aspiring directors with the mindset and tools to navigate complexity with integrity and clarity.
As You Rise: Mindful and Purposeful Leadership
- Saturday, 27 September 2025
The event opens with a fireside chat between Venus Hampinda, CfO of ABSA Bank Zambia Plc, and Judith Chinkumbi, where Venus will share personal lessons from her leadership journey and offer insights on how women can lead as a servant leader. Following a networking break, the program features a masterclass on Mindful and Purposeful Leadership by renowned governance expert Prof. Mervyn King, facilitated by Dr. Sybil Seoka. This session will explore practical frameworks and approaches that enable boards to act with clarity, ethical foresight, and strategic intent, drawing on Prof. King’s extensive experience in governance and boardroom leadership.
EmpowaWomen Leadership Summit 2025
- Saturday, 30 August 2025
The EmpowaWomen Leadership Summit 2025 was a powerful gathering of over 2,000 influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors from across Africa. Now in its ninth year, the summit was designed as more than just a conference, it was a strategic takeover where women built the table, set the agenda, and owned the room. With over 100 powerhouse speakers, 20 hands-on masterclasses, and 10 sector-focused power stages, the event created an ecosystem for deal-making, leadership elevation, and industry transformation.
A standout feature was the Leadership, Governance & Boards Power Stage, hosted by Women on Boards. Co-founder Judith Chinkumbi facilitated the session, while co-founder Carolynn Chalmers set the tone with an opening keynote that underscored the importance of governance as a driver of sustainable leadership. The stage then came alive with a powerful conversation hosted by Delia Ndlovu alongside Terry Moore, Ndumi Ketwa, and Lindi Dlamini. This stage reframed leadership not as a title to hold, but as a deliberate, transformative strategy to influence boardrooms and beyond.
The summit as a whole was unapologetically bold, described as a continental command centre where decisions were brokered, alliances forged, and the next chapter of Africa’s economic and social leadership was written by women with clarity, agency, and purpose.
Sustainability for Boards and Executives
- Saturday, 26 July 2025
This session will explore the evolving role of sustainability in board leadership, focusing on how directors can integrate ESG principles into long-term strategy, risk oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Designed for current and aspiring board members, this masterclass will offer practical tools to strengthen sustainability governance and enhance boardroom effectiveness in a rapidly changing world.
Behavioural Traits of Executives and Directors
- Saturday, 28 June 2025
This interactive session is designed for current and aspiring leaders seeking to deepen their understanding of what drives effective leadership at the highest levels. This session will explore the core behavioural traits that define successful executives and board members, including decision-making under pressure, emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, and strategic thinking. Participants will engage with real-world case studies and gain practical insights into how these traits influence boardroom dynamics, corporate culture, and overall organizational success.
The Women Empowerment Index
- Saturday, 31 May 2025
Masterclass: The Women Empowerment Index
The masterclass, The Women Empowerment Index, will be led by Namhla Mniki, Dr Futhi Mtoba, and Tanya Vogt, distinguished leaders and advocates for gender equity in governance. This session will explore how data-driven insights can be harnessed to measure and accelerate women’s representation and influence in leadership roles. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the key indicators shaping women’s progress in boardrooms and practical strategies to strengthen their leadership impact. Whether you are seeking to enhance your board readiness or champion gender equity within your organisation, this masterclass offers valuable tools and perspectives to support your journey.
Fiduciary duties and the duty of care
- Saturday, 12 April 2025
Masterclass: Fiduciary duties and the duty of Care
Happy Masondo, a highly experienced non-executive director, provides a master class on director fiduciary duties and the duty of care. This session provides practical insights into the responsibilities of board directors as set out in Sections 75, 76, and 77 of the South African Companies Act. Key topics include conflicts of interest, directors’ standards of conduct, and potential liabilities, which provide a deeper understanding of their legal and ethical obligations. This master class is essential for directors, executives, and governance professionals looking to strengthen their accountability and decision-making in corporate leadership.
Boards grounded on purpose
- Saturday, 29 March 2025
Masterclass: Boards Grounded on Purpose
As a Chair of MultiChoice South Africa and a former executive in various influential organizations, Masilela brings a wealth of knowledge on aligning board leadership with a strong sense of purpose. In this masterclass, he will delve into how purpose-driven boards can enhance decision-making, build sustainable organizations, and create long-term value for stakeholders. Through thought-provoking discussions and real-world case studies, gain a deeper understanding of how to cultivate ethical leadership, drive social impact, and ensure that governance structures serve both business and society effectively. By learning from Masilela’s expertise, women leaders are empowered to bring purpose-led strategies into the boardroom and contribute to meaningful change in their organizations.
Characteristics of high performing boards
- Saturday, 22 February 2025
Masterclass: Some characteristics of high performing boards
The masterclass provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the essential characteristics that drive board effectiveness. It emphasized that businesses should serve a broader societal purpose beyond shareholder value, recognizing that ethical leadership and reputation management are critical for long-term success. Participants explored the importance of navigating radical uncertainty, embracing continuous learning and dialogue, and exercising productive skepticism to uncover hidden risks. The session also highlighted how balancing efficiency with risk, maintaining productive paranoia, and looking beyond financial metrics contribute to sustainable governance.
