South Africa is preparing for Women's Month in August, with The Brave Collective set to host its latest event in Johannesburg next month. This year's event, titled 'Fortune Favours the Brave. Own It.', promises to be a key gathering for women in the creative industries. The highly anticipated event will take place at The Forum in Bryanston on August 5, providing a central and accessible location for attendees from across the region. Discussions at the event will focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and financial empowerment, aiming to inspire attendees and equip them with practical tools for success. Nedbank is supporting the initiative as the headline sponsor, facilitating the event's objectives within the creative industries and showing its commitment to women's economic empowerment.
Brave Collective's Mission and Growth
The Brave Collective began as a gathering of 40 women six years ago and has since grown into a vibrant community of more than 4,000 members. This remarkable growth notes the significant need and demand for such a platform among women professionals. Co-founded by Taryn Hunter Sharman and Perri King, the organisation's impactful work is built around three fundamental pillars: self-worth, network, and net worth. These pillars form the core of The Brave Collective's strategy to empower women holistically. Sharman stated that the initiative aims to foster open and honest discussions about finances among its members, recognizing this as a key area for development. "The women in our room are already good at meeting each other, what they are less practised at is talking honestly about money, about worth, and about the numbers on their contracts and their bank statements. That is the conversation we built The Brave Collective to have," Sharman said, emphasizing the organisation's unique focus. She further noted the recent historical context influencing women's financial independence, adding, "That legal history is not distant, every woman in our room is, at most, one generation removed from it. And the industries most of them work in, ours included, have their own catching up to do."
Key Speakers and Topics
The event will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, each bringing unique insights and experiences to the stage. Nedbank Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs Khensani Nobanda will explore leadership principles and strategies for navigating decision-making with confidence, offering valuable perspectives from her extensive corporate experience. MaXhosa Africa Managing Director Lihle Ngxokolo-Nqini is slated to reflect on the process of transforming a South African heritage brand into a global business entity, sharing her journey and the challenges overcome. Additionally, businesswoman and philanthropist Rachel Kolisi is expected to share lessons centered on resilience and the process of rebuilding, drawing from her personal and professional experiences. Financial educator Carla Venter, founder of Money With Carla, will present a masterclass focusing on strengthening financial confidence and working towards long-term independence, providing attendees with actionable financial strategies.
Historical Context and Support
The event also serves as a powerful reminder of the historical struggles women have faced in achieving financial autonomy. For much of South Africa's history, many married women were unable to independently own property, sign contracts, or open bank accounts without their husband's consent, severely limiting their economic freedom. Women married under customary law were only fully recognized as legal adults in 1998, marking a significant and relatively recent shift in their legal standing and rights. The Brave Collective event receives strong support from various partners, including Biogen, Estée Lauder, Curious Tom, Pop Up Sisters, Profmed, and Chapters, all contributing to its vital mission of empowering women in the creative industries and beyond. This broad support network shows the collective commitment to fostering an environment where women can thrive professionally and personally.
Event Notes and Conclusion
More than 400 women will attend the event, creating a dynamic and supportive environment for networking and learning. The Brave Collective’s event in Johannesburg is scheduled to conclude with the organisation’s signature 'Greatest Fears Share Session'. This unique session aims to foster an environment where attendees can openly discuss personal and professional challenges, promoting vulnerability and shared understanding. The gathering is meticulously designed to empower women within the creative industries, providing a key platform for shared experiences, invaluable insights, and collective growth within a supportive community.
