MARGARET HIRSCH, Chief Operations Executive of the Hirsch Group and a champion for women’s empowerment, received the award for the most Influential Woman In Wholesale and Retail for the African Continent, and was also given a Lifetime Achievement Award in her category in the Titans Most Influential Women in Business and Government awards ceremony that took place at the Gallagher Estates Convention Centre in Gauteng recently. This is the 14th top business award won by Margaret over the last 4 Years.
Dr. Richard Maponya, Chairman of the Maponya Group, won the award for the Titans Most Influential Man in Wholesale and Retail for the Continent – and he was also given a Lifetime Achievement Award in the same category.
The Awards ceremony was hosted by CEO Global. Regional events were held in eight countries throughout the African Continent, leading up to the Continental Gala Dinner, where the winners for the whole Continent were announced.
Commenting on the calibre of the finalists at the Awards Evening, Chief Executive Officer of CEO Global, Annelize Wepener said “We have amazing talent on this continent. The women selected as our finalists have overcome profound leadership challenges and are united in effecting change, and creating opportunities for those around them.”
Margaret inspires aspiring business women to never give up on their dreams – something that she has never done. Having won so many awards herself, she has seen the effect it has had on her company – and herself personally. “I would like to see this happening to other women in business.” Margaret explained when she decided to launch the ‘Margaret Hirsch Woman in Business of the Year Award’ in each area in which Hirsch’s operates throughout South Africa. “As women, we tend not to be assertive enough. There are so many fantastic women out there who are not coming forward to be acknowledged for their contribution to the business world, and I would like to encourage them to enter the competition or nominate a friend or business owner who they would like to be recognized for this award and if you think you are a successful business woman don’t be too shy to enter yourself!” Margaret explained.
She regularly visits school girls throughout South Africa to tell them about the Girls with Dignity project, initiated by Sue Barnes in KZN. “Many South Africans have no idea that there is a large percentage of the school going population that only attends school for three weeks out of every month, because they have their periods and cannot afford the necessary sanitary protection to cope.” She explained. Margaret is determined to help these girls. Travelling to many rural areas she does talks and tells them that in life they will always have a choice, they can choose to stay at home or choose to go to school and eventually be successful in life. Margaret hands out panty packs to the girls, each pack contains 1 panty and 3 sanitary pads. “The average school attendance has now increased from 40% to 80%, better attendance, better self-esteem” Margaret said.
