Khanyi counsels business women

Women in Botswana have been urged to be positive in looking for business opportunities and establish their footprints even in a hostile environment where women are often not taken seriously.

Briefing the journalists this weekend, a woman of note, the South African media mogul, Khanyi Chijioke said women in business should be determined and strive for excellence in the industry. “Being a woman in business is a challenge because first people don’t take you seriously. But you should always push harder, try harder and go an extra mile to prove your point,” she said.

She explained that Botswana media industry seems to be very attractive and women should have positive thoughts.  “It is always important to have positive thoughts, you need to walk and think the way you want to be in life,” she said.

Speaking during the Woman Power seminar organised by Business Botswana, Chijioke said women are more powerful in building the society and the world so they need to activate the ability they have and change lives. “We live in the world of abundance but we tend to forget, all the resources are there all we have to do is to take a step, and stop competing as women. Smart women don’t compete, they collaborate,” she said.

The 41 year old Chijioke said the research has shown that companies that have more women on their boards had a higher return on equity and investment because of diversity of thoughts and because of the way in which women use power, creativity and innate ability to multitask.For her part, ABM University Executive Director, Daisy Molefhi said women should be determined to fulfil their goals and should always strive to create their own brand.

“If you want to be successful, you need to be authentic, don’t be anybody’s carbon paper, be yourself and create your own brand,” said Molefhi.Khanyi’s remarkable journey to the top started in 1995 when she became the first black news presenter on the National Television, SABC 1 at the age of 20.  She later became the editor of True Love Magazine at the age of 22. Now she is the founder and chief executive officer of Ndalo Media and Ndalo Luxury Ventures.