The discussion reinforced themes established during the conference’s opening session, where South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu challenged procurement professionals to become architects of economic growth, infrastructure delivery, and national competitiveness rather than simply custodians of cost reduction.
Expanding on the leadership discussion, Nazeema Dada, Senior Manager of Procurement Excellence for Africa at DP World Africa, said organisations have an important responsibility to create inclusive workplaces by providing women with equal access to strategic projects, international assignments, and leadership development opportunities. At the same time, she argued that aspiring leaders must earn their place at the executive table by understanding how businesses create value, building strong professional networks, and leading with integrity, noting that while projects may be forgotten, professional character endures.
Several panellists also highlighted the importance of continuous learning and professional certification, encouraging women to invest in developing both their technical expertise and leadership capabilities throughout their careers. They argued that professional bodies such as CIPS have an important role to play in developing future leaders by combining technical knowledge with the confidence, commercial understanding, and soft skills needed to succeed in senior leadership positions.
Integrity also emerged as one of the defining themes of the discussion, with panellists agreeing that procurement professionals must be recognised not only for delivering commercial outcomes, but also for building trust, demonstrating ethical leadership, and strengthening governance across both the public and private sectors.
Closing the discussion, Motshidisi Moremi-Motshewa, Procurement Manager at Mascom Wireless in Botswana, argued that leadership should ultimately be judged by results rather than gender. She encouraged women to continue investing in themselves, remain confident in their capabilities, and focus on the outcomes they deliver, rather than allowing stereotypes or self-doubt to define their careers.
As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, the panel concluded that empowering more women is no longer simply about increasing representation in leadership. It is about developing leaders who create measurable business value, strengthen governance, improve organisational performance, and help build more resilient economies across Southern Africa.
Chartered Institute for Procurement & Supply (CIPS)