The GLAMOUR Women’s Month Series is an ode to women who are following the beat of their drum and doing it successfully.
Today’s spotlight is on a woman who has made the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans, a woman who is not only an academic, a leader but she is also an entrepreneur.
We are chatting to Head: Group Tax, Reunert Limited, Refilwe Mashale. . Reunert manages a portfolio of over 40 businesses.These businesses range from the fields of electrical engineering, information and communication technologies and applied electronics.
Refilwe works under hectic deadlines but somehow she finds time to also be an entrepreneur, as the founder of The Balloon Café (Pty) Ltd. The Balloon Café, is an express door step helium balloon delivery service supplying various types of helium balloons.
Refilwe took time out to answer our Women’s Month Series questions.
Which woman has positively impacted you in your career/business? And what is the one lesson she taught you?
I’ve been fortunate enough to be impacted positively by several women in my lifetime – those who shaped me – Bongiwe Mashale (mother), Mickey Mashale (sister); those who have mentored me – Carine van den Berg, Rendani Neluvhalani; young people whose own work ethic and self-belief have inspired and motivated me – Lesedi Mashale, Ntebaleng Sekabate, Naledi Gule; and those whose determination to make a difference reminds me of what’s most important – Ziyanda Kitantous, Dr Yandisa Gqiba.
What are the three words that spring to mind when you hear Women's Day/Month?
Dignity, honour, respect – all 3 words are embodied in the meaning of the word “august” which, in addition to the historical and critical Women’s March of 1956, makes it fitting that we should celebrate and honour South African women in this month.
To you, what is the most beautiful thing about being a woman?
Of course, there are so many different things that make being a woman beautiful. Without limiting the foregoing statement, I consider that the most beautiful thing about being a woman is our depth. As humans, we are infinite in so many ways, but as women, in every space and environment that we occupy, our presence is meaningful and impactful. That is the depth that women possess.
In your industry or in general, have you seen any more movement to gender equality in the workplace?
Focusing on my industry, Taxation, and specifically focusing on the International Tax specialist field which I am in, the answer is no. The representation of women is scarce, and the representation of black professionals is unacceptably non-existent. With reference to a global publication published in July 2020 by a respected body known as the International Tax Review (ITR), of the leading 12 South African expert practitioners noted, only 4 were female and quite notably for South Africa, absolutely none were black.
As a woman who looks to inspire young girls that look like you what are some of the measures you think should be put in place to assure young girls have an equal say in society?
Inspiration comes from exposure, and having something to say should always be done based on having to inform oneself and following a process thereafter to make up your mind.
In my view, young girls and women in South Africa need access and exposure to female role models who are doing more of those things commonly perceived as being “too difficult”.
The “Take a girl child to work” initiative by Cell C is a brilliant one and should be taken as seriously as Casual Day in South Africa which shows support for people with disabilities. We should all be making an effort, proud to take up the call to empower women in all places of significance within our world.
With Black Lives Matter being at the forefront and black people calling out racism and transformation. What do you think we can teach the next generation about inclusion and representation?
I don’t believe you can teach anyone anything, without living such a lesson in your own life – in other words, we teach others by our own example. If we understand this principle, then we should understand that it’s up to us as the current generation to do all that we can now, to bring about real inclusion and representation in our society with an important emphasis on the centres of economic importance, broadly corporate South Africa. Only then will we teach the next generation about the value and importance of inclusion and representation, and only then can good history repeat itself!
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) especially women and children abuse has been prevalent in the country for a very long time and there have been various initiatives that speak to this but the scourge of abuse continues at a large scale, what would you advise as a solution going forward? And who should be involved?
As women, we’ve allowed ourselves to believe that men’s wants and needs are more important than our own. We don’t see ourselves as equals and partners, which is the root of the problem. By encouraging women to speak up and honestly express themselves, and then supporting them to transition from positions of disadvantage, financial hardship and oppression we can defeat GBV.
I acknowledge that the establishment of a ministry of women, youth and disabilities in 2019 by the President was a positive step in the right direction. I think more can be done by women on an individual but tangible or visible basis, to help stand up for and empower other women, without passing judgement or shame for the different choices we’ve all made as women.
What does women’s month mean to you and what would you like to be done to push or commemorate this month?
Women’s month is an appreciation of the role of women in South African society. For myself, Women’s month is a time to stop, pause and celebrate the courage of other remarkable women in my world who are challenging the status quo, disproving stereotypes, breaking through institutional barriers, and shattering glass ceilings. I would love to see the month of August be a month where corporates advise of the plans and projects they have put in place which are focused on making their working environment better for women, and importantly their measurement on how those programmes have to lead to the retention, upliftment and promotion of women to senior and executive positions in the workplace.
As a modern African woman, who is a powerhouse in her own right, how do you manoeuvre the African expectations for what Africa believes a woman should be, particularly in countries that are rooted in patriarchy like ours?
I surround myself with like-minded women, women who know who they are, what defines them, and how they want to continue to develop and grow. These women have defined a path for themselves pursuing those beliefs, not the expectations of others and society in general. Visually in my community of women, is represented through women who have decided they do not want to be married, women who have decided that they do not want to have children, women who have waited past the age of 35 to have children, women who “have it all” (which believe it or not, is a challenge in itself!) and women who are the primary breadwinners in their families.
What are some of the great possibilities about being a woman in the world right now, that may not be easy to see but you feel women should take full advantage of without being ashamed or afraid?
The contribution of women in political positions of power is finally being recognised, even in Africa, through their appointment into the highest office. We also see a marked improvement in the appointment of women in executive leadership positions within global organisations. The road to the top would not have been an easy one for these women, but that didn’t let the fact that they were women stop them from believing that they could do more, do things differently or do things better. Once we settle those beliefs within ourselves as women, we will have the courage and take the necessary actions to move forward.
The imposter syndrome is something a lot of women confess to suffering from or have suffered from. Have you ever had to deal with it? What would you say to another woman reading this about not letting the syndrome run one’s life in any way?
I think the little voice in the back of one's head is a phenomenon which is not uncommon, to both men and women. For me the key has been to, similar with how I deal with stress - acknowledge the challenge it brings, determines that it will not overcome me, and then allow it to push me to succeed. It takes courage to stand up to that little voice, nothing less, and that courage will allow you to do bigger things in the future!
How has self-care contributed to the woman you are in all facets of your life? Why is self care important, particularly for women, as most of us are raised to believe we put everyone else first before ourselves?
Self-care for me mainly means unapologetically focusing on my faith in God. It’s been important for me as it underpins my belief and value systems and defines who I am, and how I do life - for myself and in community with others. Self-care should build into your life, that’s what makes it essential for me.
