Room at the top still only a stuffy closet for women
Obstacles in business remain bigger for women than for men
"There is no ubuntu in capitalism" is a phrase Maki Mothiane, CEO of Sunflower Solar has had to acquaint herself with as a black woman in business. The words were thrown in her face by the men and women she aspired to have as her professional sponsors when her requests for mentorship were declined. Mothiane runs a renewable energy company that has exposed her to a ruthless male-dominated industry that had her grasping at straws until she learnt to be self-reliant. "I remember a situation where I was told, 'I would only be able to mentor you when you give me a certain percentage of ownership in your company'. "I went there with confidence that woman to woman, help me, here I am as a young woman with passion and skill and I just need guidance because they have walked the road, and I got feedback that said we can't help you because capitalism does not have ubuntu," she said. Goals remain elusive It has been decades since anecdotal and scientific evidence had made the case for female pa...
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