As South Africa recently marked International Women’s Day 2026, the focus at a gathering of alumni shifted from celebration to action. Addressing attendees at The GIBS Alumni International Women’s Day Breakfast, GIBS Deputy Dean Professor Louise Whittaker urged leaders to reflect on the progress made in advancing gender equality and the work that still lies ahead.
International Women’s Day forms part of a global movement that has championed women’s rights for more than a century. In South Africa, the occasion carries additional meaning, as the country commemorates two Women’s Days each year – one in March and another in August. Prof. Whittaker said the goal is a future where women’s contributions are recognised every day. She described Give to Gain as a call for meaningful investment in women, going beyond symbolic gestures or meeting targets. It demands deliberate commitment to expanding access, opportunities, capital, and decision-making power. GIBS continues to future-proof its role as a leading African business school, advancing multi-generational, cross-sectoral leadership. “Giving in this context is not about charity or handouts, it is about structural investment that accelerates progress. Evidence shows that organisations that support women in leadership benefit from stronger governance, better decision-making, and greater credibility.”
The event featured keynote speaker Nolitha Fakude, chairperson of Anglo American South Africa, and a panel discussion moderated by GIBS senior lecturer Professor Michele Ruiters. Panellists included Fakude, Jorja Wilkins, founder and CEO of Garland Media, Kelly-Ann Ayuk, co-founder and chair of Energy Capital & Power and Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI).
