The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Transformation Unit hosted the annual Women’s Day Celebration and launch of the Women in Leadership Development Programme (WLDP) Alumni Desk on Thursday, 14 August 2025.
The WLDP Alumni Desk is a dynamic platform aimed at keeping women leaders connected, inspired, and supported through a shared community of practice and ongoing leadership insight. As part of this celebration, the Transformation Office also put a spotlight on industry partners like the GBVF Fund, who are actively accelerating action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the workplace, highlighting tangible pathways to safer, more equitable environments.
UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Lethlokwa Mpedi gave the opening remarks on accelerating action, this year’s campaign theme for International Women’s Day.
He stressed the urgent need for increased efforts to focus on gender equality.
“The WLDP is dedicated to empowering senior women in academia and support functions. Women still face uneven burdens outside the workplace that impact their professional enhancement. GBV remains a stark reminder. True equality demands sustained structural change. Part of our duty as institutions is to right these societal imbalances.”
Prof Mpedi added that women were central in the process of change.
“Let us continue to march on, you can count on men like us and our support.”
Prof Tinuade Ojo set the scene speaking about ‘From Silence to Action: Ending Workplace GBV and Empowering Women to Rise’. She emphasised the importance of championing women’s voices.
“Good mentors are essential. Your voice is a benchmark, not a body. You are valuable and loved. Courageous leadership is about building systems so that speaking up is safe and effective. We need to empower leaders to be able to take responsibility to act.”
Ms Sindi Mahlambi, Senior Manager at People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) reflected on the economic cost of GBVwhich costs the country over 28.4 billion annually.
“Every time there is a woman who is silenced or sidelined means we have lost innovation and mentorship. When we lose women in leadership, we lose perspective. Change is possible through policy, courage and action.”
Sharing the keynote address, Ms Dorothy Mmushi, CEO of Seeker Finders Forensic Auditors and Risk Services, vocalised the importance of commanding respect as women leading with ethics in fields built for men.
She emphasised the need for emotional intelligence, the tough skill of an authoritative style in male dominated fields, loneliness at the top for women in leadership roles, being able to stand your ground, bringing up other women with you who have the capabilities for leadership, and being mindful outside of the workplace.
As a whistleblower, Ms Mmushi found herself on the wrong side of the law for doing the right thing. She urged women to continue to tell the truth and to never give in to corruption. She survived an assassination, unlawful dismissal and an unlawful arrest for being a truth seeker.
After founding her company, she received an international award for whistleblowing.
The Transformation Unit launched the WLDP Alumni Desk. The programme has trained 170 women since its initial launch and over 55 of them have been promoted to higher levels.
Ms Penelope Motshwene, Gender Equity Manager and an alumni of the WLDP said the Alumni Desk aimed to encourage women to lean in and support one another, ensuring that the legacy of women’s leadership at UJ continues to thrive.
