In recent years, women in business have been rewriting the narrative - moving from the margins to the mainstream. While the global business landscape continues to transform, a powerful driver of change is the rise of women in leadership. Across industries, and particularly within South Africa’s insurance sector, women are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and redefining what it means to lead.
Though there is much to celebrate, the journey towards full equity is still a work in progress. But every step forward is reshaping the future - not just for women, but for the businesses and communities they lead.
A new era in leadership
Today, more women than ever are founding businesses, leading teams, sitting on boards, and influencing key decisions. In South Africa’s financial services and insurance sectors, the impact of female leadership is undeniable. Whether it’s through shaping policy, navigating complex risk environments, or driving customer-centric innovation, women are bringing a fresh perspective that is both bold and strategic.
Their success is not just a win for gender equality - it’s a win for business. Diversity in leadership is not a checkbox; it’s a competitive advantage. Numerous studies show that organisations with gender-diverse leadership teams perform better, innovate faster, and make more balanced decisions. This is not about optics - it’s about outcomes.
Each woman in business carries a story of resilience - of bouncing back from setbacks, navigating bias, and wearing multiple hats with determination. This resilience is forged not in comfort, but in challenge. It is quiet strength. It is the boldness to speak up in a boardroom, the courage to challenge the status quo, and the grace to lead authentically in a world that still doesn’t always make it easy. In today’s dynamic world, resilience is not just a survival trait - it’s a leadership essential.
Motherhood: a source of strength and challenge
Motherhood profoundly influences women’s leadership journeys. Balancing parenting with professional responsibilities cultivates exceptional time management, empathy, and resilience - qualities that enhance leadership effectiveness.
However, many women face the "motherhood penalty," where they are perceived as less competent and less committed to their careers compared to their childless counterparts. This bias can hinder career progression and limit access to leadership opportunities. Despite these challenges, women continue to break barriers and redefine leadership, demonstrating that the intersection of motherhood and leadership can be a powerful force for change.
Insurance: a sector of strength and strategy
Insurance, and more specifically trade credit insurance, plays a vital role in helping businesses grow with confidence. As companies face increasing uncertainty - from economic shifts to geopolitical instability - trade credit insurance provides a financial safety net, enabling smarter, safer trade.
In this strategic and highly analytical space, women are stepping forward in increasing numbers - and making a powerful impact. In South Africa, we’ve seen a growing presence of women in underwriting, actuarial science, claims, and senior management roles within trade credit insurance and beyond.
These women are not only excelling at technical analysis and risk modelling - they’re also bringing emotional intelligence, strategic foresight, and a collaborative leadership style that strengthens both teams and client relationships. They are driving transformation from within, proving that inclusive leadership results in stronger, more agile organisations.
A well-rounded leadership team—one that includes diverse voices - ensures that insurance solutions are designed with a broader lens, taking into account the nuanced needs of SMEs, corporates, and emerging markets alike.
The ripple effect of empowerment
When women lead, they lift others with them. They mentor, they sponsor, they create space at the table. The real power of women in business lies not just in their individual achievements, but in their ability to create ecosystems of support, collaboration, and shared success.
At Gauteng Women in Insurance, we see this every day - in networking events, mentorship programmes, and professional development initiatives that are changing the face of the industry. It’s a reminder that when women support women, remarkable things happen.
It is in boardrooms where diverse voices are truly heard that real change begins. It is in businesses where inclusion is intentional that true innovation is born. And it is in communities where women are empowered that entire economies can thrive.
Leading with purpose
The power of women in business is not defined by job titles or corner offices - it is defined by impact. It’s found in every idea brought to life, every door opened, every challenge turned into opportunity, and every legacy built.
Today, we don’t just acknowledge the power of women in business - we celebrate it. And more importantly, we commit to shaping a future where every woman has the freedom and the opportunity to lead, to thrive, and to succeed.
AUTHOR
Therusha Naidoo
Marketing Manager
Credit Guarantee Insurance Corporation (CGIC)
