The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity in the workplace, especially this Women’s Month.
At the centre of this is CEO Denise van Huyssteen, who believes that inclusivity in the workplace must be embedded as a way of operating rather than treated as a “tick-box” exercise.
“Having someone in a role just to fill a quota devalues their contribution,” Van Huyssteen said.
“Being inclusive is about recognising strength and passion”.
The chamber has made significant strides towards gender equality in the workplace, with half of its board members being women.
This reflects progress in creating space for diverse voices at the decision-making table.
The chamber marked Women’s Month with its annual ladies’ breakfast, attended by more than 520 women.
However, this year they broke away from tradition by having an all-male panel to gain insights into how men view and contribute to inclusivity.
“True inclusivity does not mean that men must be isolated from the conversation. Instead, it’s about building workplaces where everyone feels valued, regardless of gender,” Van Huyssteen said.
She said that women bring unique strengths to leadership, particularly in emotional intelligence.
“Women tend to approach leadership with an awareness of stakeholders and people.”
Van Huyssteen’s own career is a testament to resilience and hard work, as she understands the challenges that women face.
“The corporate space is still male-dominated, but SA has made significant progress with inclusivity being driven forward,” she said.
For Van Huyssteen, the key to success lies in passion, continuous learning and ethical leadership.
She advised young professionals, male and female, to seek mentors regardless of their gender, to never shy away from asking questions, and to focus on empowering themselves and others.
“The most successful leaders are those who empower their workers,” she said.
Looking ahead, Van Huyssteen hopes her leadership inspires a new generation of women leaders in the Bay and beyond.
“We must not limit ourselves to the past, but instead look forward towards opportunities for inclusivity, growth and empowering others.”
The Herald
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