Launched at Constitution Hill in March 2007, the Women’s Development Programme (WDP) is a Finance Sector Charter Project, which seeks to create a pipeline of female talent, well-positioned for promotion into senior positions within the banking and micro-finance sector. The programme is in keeping with BANKSETA’s Mission of supporting transformation and people development through partnerships.

This is the first time that the sector has collaborated to create and implement a development programme with the primary objective of promoting the advancement of women into senior positions. It is neither a substitute for, nor in competition with existing development programmes initiated by other institutions within the sector. In line with National Skills Development Strategy targets, 85% of beneficiaries are Black.

An innovative programme, and one which may prove the benchmark for women’s development on the entire African continent, the BANKSETA’s Women’s Development Programme has the following objectives:

An innovative programme, and one which may prove the benchmark for women’s development on the entire African continent, the BANKSETA’s Women’s Development Programme has the following objectives:
  • accelerate the promotion of women into senior management positions within the banking sector
  • create a pipeline of female talent capable of moving into senior management positions To promote and accelerate quality learning for all women in the work place
  • encourage participation of women in other BANKSETA funded initiatives
The programme will run until March 2010. Forty women are guaranteed participation each year. Fifteen candidates will participate in an academic component, which includes an international study tour. The remaining twenty-five women, the so-called cohorts, constitute a support group, which interacts with these women, and assists them wherever possible to implement action-learning topics in the workplace. Cohorts attend, inter alia, networking sessions where they have an opportunity to interact with senior-level women within the sector.

Candidates are nominated by their employers. The rigorous selection process for the academic programme is managed by the BANKSETA’s training partner, the Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management.

Deliverables over a three-year period, ending in 2010 include:

  • 45 Women on the Formal Structured Learning which includes an international study school
  • 120 Women involved in focus group discussions and community project development
  • 1800 participants on life long learning programmes and other networking events such as breakfasts and conferences Highlights

    The international study tour to China, a country with a long history of women’s development and women in business, was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the past year. Candidates visited Shanghai and Beijing, where they spent time with the women with whom they had been corresponding. They also participated in group company visits and cultural activities. The women returned from China with a far more global outlook.

    Many important lessons were learnt. The women were impressed by the way in which the Chinese tend to look at opportunities rather than obstacles. They were also impressed by the fact that gender is not an issue in business: in China, individuals are judged on the contribution that they are able to make.

    Other highlights include two very successful conferences hosted under the auspices of the BANKSETA Women’s Development Programme. The first, held in November 2007, was entitled: Leading for Change. Indicative of the high-level support that the programme enjoys, Absa Retail Bank, Executive Director, Venette Klein, delivered the keynote address. Deputy Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Dr Renosi Mokate delivered the keynote address at the second conference, which was held in March 2008. The conference, which was entitled: Banking, are we stretching ourselves enough? provided an opportunity for women on the academic programme to showcase their learning. Candidates shared their research findings on three strategic topics: SMMEs opportunities and challenges, Leadership: a 2008 perspective, and the unbanked, myth or reality? Research was conducted in both China and South Africa. Conference attendees were very impressed by the world-class presentations. They confirmed that the best practice research added tremendous value to the sector.

    With devolvement, progression

    The programme has proved a rich and life-changing journey, and the slogan, “with devolvement, progression,” prophetic. Many of the women have gained self-confidence, and they have also become authentic leaders. A number of candidates have been appointed to far more senior positions, as they have been able to demonstrate, that they are able to make a far greater contribution to their organisations.

    At a personal level, the programme has improved self-awareness and it has helped individuals to clarify who they are, who they want to be in relation to their family, their spouses, and their executive colleagues. The women have learnt about their strengths and weaknesses and how this impacts on people in general. Many of the women handle situations very differently now, and far more effectively than in the past. Candidates have also benefited enormously from opportunities to network, and many have developed strong networks not only in South Africa, but in China.

    Adding value to the sector

    The BANKSETA has been praised by leaders in the banking and microfinance sector for its foresight, leadership and vision, demonstrated by the implementation of such a programme. FNB Commercial Banking CEO, Iris Dempsey, says the BANKSETA is leading by example. “The SETA has demonstrated that it is serious about the development of women. Women are able to explore this space, creating opportunity and a platform for networking.” TEBA Bank CEO, Mark Williams believes programmes such as these are important, as they ensure that the status quo is challenged. “It is important to have these kinds of tools and interventions in place to get female leadership excellence in place. This will result in leadership excellence in the country, which in turn, will result in excellence general in the country. The country will succeed, with strong capable leaders.”

    The 2008 Programme is launched

    The 2008 programme was launched at the Women’s Development Programme Conference at the Sandton Convention Centre in March 2008.Thirty-one participants have been recruited. Particularly gratifying is the participation by a broader spectrum of organisations. Regional representation has also improved. In a departure from the previous programme, this year, candidates will visit India. A formal Mentoring Programme has been introduced for cohorts on the 2008 programme.

    Alumni from the 2007 programme have indicated that they want to continue to be involved in the programme. They will, therefore, be implementing a Social Investment Project in the guise of a Mentorship Programme. The programme will target women in their final year of study at tertiary institutions. The alumni will work l work very closely with cohorts from the 2008 programme on their Social Investment Project.