A champion of economic freedom for women, Gloria Tomatoe Serobe was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy by the University of Johannesburg (UJ), during the virtual Autumn graduations. Gloria Serobe contributed significantly to the establishment of WIPHOLD in 1994; a company dedicated to the empowerment of women. Presenting the Award at an official ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor & Principal of the University, Prof Tshilidzi Marwala stated that Gloria Serobe represents “a South African visionary.”

Watch:

Her Honorary Doctorate is conferred in the context of her outstanding contributions as one of the most successful South African businesswomen and drivers of women enablement and empowerment.

In responding, Ms Serobe noted that with South Africa’s junk status rating, it means that many people’s dreams have been deferred. To counter this we need to move from junk status to being an economic graded country with the help of academia.

Ms Serobe serves on several Boards including Old Mutual, Nedbank, Hans Merensky, Sasol Mining and Ixia Coal. She is the Chairman of the Board of the Independent Ports Regulator. She is an honorary member of the Actuarial Society of South Africa and is a member of SAICA’s Advisory Council.

She has won numerous awards including the Business Women Association’s Corporate Business Woman of the Year in 2006.