Gestalt: an organised whole that is perceived to be more than the sum of its parts.
One of the projects that I’m helping out with at the moment is the new Women in Leadership Programme at the Graduate School of Business here in Cape Town. It’s a premium 10day session for developing seriously powerful women. The kind of women who will change the world in some way.
But given that I’ve never been supportive of “women’s networks”, because I think that in the same way that the too-hot-to-touch Black Journalists issue is divisive; groups that are delineated by that that we can’t change like race, age or gender (okay, maybe without major surgery) rather than by passion, profession or play, only serves to separate.
But heaven knows I’m wrong about a lot of things, and this may be one of them. (I think my early opinion may have been swayed by the horror of going to an all-girls convent school – which only served to make me more wary and confused by intricate female politics. Teenage girls are one of the most formidable forces of nature and should never be underestimated!).
Watched Isabel Allende’s simply wonderful TED talk, and decided to revisit my prejudice. I started paying attention to where women lead best, and unsurprisingly collaboration, communities and networking are strongholds where women flourish. It’s also where the terrifying “tall poppy syndrome” is rife though. It’s the force that subtly slams those who rise too fast, and killing the pioneering ones is the most efficient method to maintain mediocrity. And slowed success.
But that’s a subject all on its own & not one for now: for now I’d love to share & celebrate the
extraordinary value (doing good AND doing good business) created by two powerful African women leaders using the collaborative model.
First (an icon of the environmental realm and Nobel Laureate) Dr Wangari Maathai whose recent feat of enabling the planting of a BILLION trees through the UN and her Green Belt Movement floored me, this hasn’t been cheered or emulated enough. She is utterly phenomenal and worth getting a dose of brave inspiration from.
And happily for us in SA, wonder.woman Sizani Ngubane (pictured right at the Women’s Global Green Action Network in Mexico) who founded the Rural Women’s Movement in Kwazulu Natal, mobilised over 500 women’s groups to promote sustainable development, economic empowerment and participation in policy.making. The movement has approximately 50 000 members and growing strong.
Thank heavens for these forces for nature, powerful women who believe against current models of tried and tested, safe routes and naysayers that the improbable can indeed be achieved with clear vision and mass collaboration. Rock on!
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March 2nd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Sizani Ngubane, Founder and director of the Rural Women’s Movement who appears in your web site as a great activist for women’s rights was arrested February 13th, 2009 by the South African Police and charged with Fraud and released on 5000 rand bail.
Police and insurance investigators are looking into six claims of theft she filed with the police over the last two years.
Ngubane has not been employed since 2004, when she was fired from the Association of Rural Women (AFRA) for dishonesty, apparently taking funds designated to buy food for the poor. She has repeatedly reported burglaries and thefts of computers and video equipment to the police, often naming as suspects people she has had disagreements with. These are currently under investigation, as the last similar complaint has led to her arrest.
Ngubane has received numerous awards for her alleged activities, along with over 200,000 dollars in grants. She lives very well and has three homes, three vehicles, and three companies registered in her name.
See “Activist faces fraud charges” Natal Witness February 25, 2009.
March 19th, 2009 at 1:28 am
Is there a way to locate someone locally to try this?
April 5th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
It would be very interesting to learn from this man why sizani ngubane has not been convicted for the crimes he writes about if he is not the one who framed her?
April 9th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
When is Sizani’s trial date for perjury and fraud? I understand it is in the district court now.
The Witness reported the goods reported stolen were found in her garage. Did Baratta steal the goods and then plant them in Sizani’s garage?
Was Sizani fired from AFRA as claimed?
April 10th, 2010 at 7:44 am
We know Sizani Ngubani, she claims to be a leader , but the Rural Woman’s Movement she says she is the founder and director of is run by her family members. Sizani is an oppressor of the people. A criminal who has a record and conviction of theft . She was convicted in Dundee for that . The people of Sweetwater’s know her too well. Sizani has been oppressing our people and especially our women for years, making promises of money, letting them stand and pose for photos she said will help get money from the ignorant whites overseas. But when the money comes Sizani uses it on her five houses and three cars. She is the new South African gangster who can buy police and do what she wants, she is no leader and no community saviour. We all know Sizani Ngubani that little woman who pretends to be someone. Mncube Nathi.
April 10th, 2010 at 8:08 am
Sizani Ngubani, was one of the masterminds of the December 2009 Land Grab attempt in the town of Estcourt, KZN South Africa. She was even featured in the local print media. It seems that she does this type of thing every so often in an attempt to elevate her profile in a given area; then under that pretext will muster state authorities hat deal with such things, have photos taken of herself and the people involved and claim that it is a matter her alleged front organisation the “RURAL WOMAN’S MOVEMENT” was dealing with. In this way Sizani Ngubane hopes to gets funding from overseas donors. This is a well-known tactic her close associates have told investigators Ngubani uses. She unfortunately for Africa is a fraud. In respect of her pending fraud matter in Pietermaritzburg , according to the documents I have obtained in terms of the Access to information Act, Sizani Ngubani has a previous conviction for theft some years ago. The resent pending fraud trial has its roots in an insurance clime Ngubane made. When the insurance investigator visited her home with police they found some of the items she claimed stolen in the garage of her home situated in a plush up market area of Hilton. Adding insult to injury when they arrested her she was body searched for weapons and safety. Unfortunately for her they found a camera on her person that matched the serial number make and model of one she alleged was stolen in a burglary. This is the Sizani Ngubani that claims to be an upstanding pillar of society. In Africa we know differently. Derek.
April 11th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
PMB Court records indicate that Sizani Ngubane and the Rural Women’s Movement is seeking an emergency gag order to prevent Rick and Elisabeth Baratta from revealing details of Ngubane’s activities. Filed in July 2009 the matter has still not been heard.
Sizani Ngubane has also filed a civil defamation suit against Rick Baratta asking for 5 000 000,00 rand. This matter is also pending.
RWM has a new web site that has comprehensicve information as to its history and programs. There seems to be some errors or misinformation regarding Ngubane and the RWM, but further research is needed to establish accurate data.