WOMEN MUST UPLIFT EACH OTHER, SAYS NHBRC ACTING CEO

By KOPANO MONAHENG

FOR more women to be successful in this country, they need to uplift each other.

This has been the call by those in leadership positions, urging women to support one another and find their footing in their respective fields.

Tamlyn Bouwer, acting chief executive officer at the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), said when women come together for a purpose, there is bound to be improvement in whatever they pursue.

She was speaking during the Women Who Build The Nation Summit at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Joburg, on Thursday, 27 August. The summit, now in its third year, was organised by the Housing Development Agency (HDA).

Bouwer said women exchanging ideas and collaborating gives them a better chance of succeeding.

“I think what I learned, or actually reinforced rather, is that women coming together are so powerful. So many ideas, so much innovation, so much inspiration. And I think often we forget about that and think about the battles and difficulties that we face,” said Bouwer.

She said if women collaborate, which is a theme that’s coming out so strongly today, and stand together, they can do so much more, move so much further and so much quicker.

Bouwer also encouraged young people who aspire to leadership positions to do their research, discover their passion and identify where they can make the biggest impact.

“I think to young people who want to enter leadership, do your research, find your passion, find where you will fit in, where you can make the most impact.

“Something that’s going to light your fire, something that will keep you going even on the tough days. And I think finally, just believe in yourself. Back yourself with knowledge.

“Get as much experience as you can. Take all your opportunities. It’s not something that can ever be taken away from you,” she said.

Bouwer added that opportunities do not always have to be on a grand scale, saying even small opportunities can make a difference.

“For me, it’s really all of those things. It can be anything, actually. I think even as the minister was talking, sometimes we think it has to be a grand scale, big opportunity, but it can be something small.”