The Gender Leadership Gap: A Risk No Business Can Afford

Loading player...
Guest – Ayabulela Quzu, ESG and impact analyst at Sanlam Investments.

Since the Employment Equity Act of 1998, corporate SA has made many pledges in terms of progress to parity, but when it comes to actual representation, women remain underrepresented in executive suites and boardrooms.

This is materially bad for business’ bottom-lines; McKinsey’s Diversity Matters Even More 2023 report shows companies in the bottom quartile for gender and ethnic diversity are now 66% less likely to financially outperform. Conversely, companies with progressive parity continue to outperform – as do countries. The onus isn’t just on companies to push change; it’s the responsibility of all stakeholders, including investors and asset managers.
11 Aug 2025 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

SARB Tightens: What the 25bps Hike Means for You

The SARB surprised markets with a unanimous vote to hike rates by 25bps, landing against rising inflation expectations and global volatility. Johann Els unpacks the policy mood shift, the 4.4% inflation print, rand vulnerability, and how this decision affects credit conditions, household budgets, and South Africa’s growth outlook heading into…
23 Sep 12PM 14 min

The State of SA Insurance: Climate, Claims & Consumer Strain

South Africa’s insurers are navigating a perfect storm: higher catastrophe losses, rising claims inflation, affordability strain, and a shifting risk landscape shaped by climate volatility and crime. Santam’s Partner Solutions CEO, Gugu Mtetwa, unpacks the sector’s resilience, the worsening underinsurance problem, consumer behaviour shifts, and how insurers are adapting to…
22 Sep 1PM 24 min

Measured Momentum in SA Banking: Earnings Up, Risks Rising

South Africa’s major banks delivered headline earnings growth of 9.3% to R82.3 billion, stronger ROE at 20.5%, and improved cost‑to‑income ratios — but beneath the numbers lies a fragile domestic recovery and renewed inflation pressure. PwC’s Rivaan Roopnarain breaks down the competitive dynamics across retail, business, corporate and payments ecosystems,…
22 Sep 1PM 14 min

Crypto’s Turning Point: Sound Money Capital says Bear Market Dead

After eight months of grinding weakness, crypto snapped sharply higher in August — and Sound Money Capital was fully allocated ahead of the turn. CIO Rob Price explains why seller exhaustion, ETF capitulation, and policy intervention signal the end of the bear market. With Bitcoin reclaiming key resistance and market…
22 Sep 1PM 15 min

Bank Zero achieves Break-Even: 100,000 Customers, Zero Fees, Big Milestone

Bank Zero has achieved its first break‑even month — less than five years after launch and with only 100,000 customers. With cumulative capital investment under R300 million, a founder‑built core banking platform, zero card fraud, and a rapidly expanding deposit base, the bank is redefining digital banking efficiency. Michael Jordaan…
22 Sep 12PM 18 min