The African Storyteller

24/08/2026

Bigger Plans. Bigger Impact. | Women in Transport
Sometimes you plan an event.
Then the opportunity becomes bigger than the original plan.
That is exactly what has happened with our Johannesburg edition of The Role of Women in Growing Southern Africa’s Economies.
We are moving the event to 29 October 2026 and using the opportunity to take the conversation deeper into one of the sectors that keeps economies moving:
WOMEN IN TRANSPORT
Transport is far more than getting from A to B. It connects markets, moves goods, enables trade, supports tourism, creates jobs and connects people to opportunity.
Our 2026 sector focus will bring together women leaders and stakeholders across rail, road and freight, aviation, ports and logistics, public transport, infrastructure and engineering, automotive and mobility, finance and investment, technology and innovation, and the wider ecosystem that supports the sector.
And there is an important reason for the October timing.
October is Transport Month — and Cancer Awareness Month.
We will therefore use the platform not only to celebrate women driving the transport economy, but also to amplify awareness around women's health and cancer.
Same platform. New depth. Bigger conversation. Greater impact.
29 October 2026 | Johannesburg
From Eswatini to Johannesburg, the conversation continues.
Individual tickets | Corporate tables | Partnerships & Sponsorships
📩 [email protected]

24/08/2026

Bridging the Finance Gap: MTN Eswatini's commitment to Women in Business.

Access to finance remains one of the biggest barriers for women entrepreneurs across Southern Africa — and mobile money is helping to close that gap.
At the recent Women's Month Thought Leadership Event on the role of women in growing Southern Africa's economies, MTN Eswatini CEO Jerry Soko shared how mobile money is expanding financial access for women in business, and outlined the ways MTN Eswatini is actively supporting women entrepreneurs to grow and thrive.
Thank you, Jerry Soko, for championing women leaders and for adding your voice to this important conversation.
Thank you, Inside Biz for capturing these crucial insights.

Mobile Money Opens Credit Access For Women Entrepreneurs

MTN Eswatini CEO Jerry Soko says mobile financial services are helping close the gap between informal businesses and formal financial services.

Read the full article here:
https://www.insidebiz.co.sz/mobile-money-opens-credit-access-for-women-entrepreneurs/

15/08/2026

Siyabonga 🙏

The African Storyteller Turns Women’s Economic Leadership Into a Southern African Imperative

The African Storyteller’s second annual event, The Role of Women in Growing Southern Africa’s Economies, has positioned women’s participation in business, leadership, and decision-making as an economic imperative rather than simply a social aspiration. Organizer and founder Thuli Phiri says the initiative is rooted in a desire to use her international networks and business experience to create meaningful opportunities for women to thrive and prosper.

Full Article⏩ https://www.finguardmagazine.com/business/the-african-storyteller-turns-womens-economic-leadership-into-a-southern-african-imperative/

13/08/2026

Rewind

13/08/2026

Privileged to serve🙏

13/08/2026

Retina Agency siyabonga for capturing our beautiful moments.

12/08/2026

Inkhosikati Make LaMatsebula thanked our guests and our partners for supporting this nation building platform. In her remarks she noted with concern the increase in societal ills due to society compromising the values of Ubuntu and raising children with the intention of raising future leaders. She congratulated women for their hard work and contribution to peace, stability and growing economies. She reminded us that since time immemorial women have been leading in the home,in communities,in countries,in Africa and globally. She advised that men and women need to work hand in hand to solve Africa's socio economic challenges and make the region attractive to investors.

The African Storyteller extends its warmest appreciation to Make Matsebula for her wise counsel. Nkhosi 🙏
Thuli Phiri (CPRP) APR Eswatini Railways Eswatini TV FNB Eswatini MTN Eswatini Nedbank Eswatini Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA) Inside Biz Puma Energy

10/08/2026

Eswatini was lit 🔥
The mood was the mood this past Saturday.
As we hosted our 2nd annual Women's month thought leadership event held under the theme of "the role of women in growing southern Africa's economies".

With over 20 C-Suite level speakers and a fuse of traditional and modern entertainment...
Our guests celebrated, drank from the wells of wisdom and networked.

Thank you to the leaders who so selflessly shared their experience and best practices.

From big Business, government, media, civil society, and royalty they all affirmed the importance of driving gender parity as a lever to grow our economies.

Speakers included Inkhosikati Make LaMatsebula, Honourable Minister Manqoba Khumalo Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade in Eswatini, MTN Eswatini CEO Jerry Soko, Senator Sylvia Mthethwa, Dr Lelemba Phiri, Mesela Nhlapo, Dr Dumi Magadlela and others.

The message was clear 'We are stronger together and our diversity is our strength".

Together we all celebrated and advocated for "the role of women in growing southern Africa's economies".

We are humbled by the partnership and support from the media, participating corporate companies, our speakers and our attendees.

The desired outcome for the event was that we afford ourselves the collective and individual opportunity to reflect on where we are and where we are going.

It is heartwarming to hear attendee and attendee express how they walked away with renewed energy to drive inclusion in their spheres of influence.

To our MCs and Moderators Simzz Ncongwane and Sinethemba La Dlamini thank you for driving the conversation so beautifully

Siyabonga kakhulu 🙏 ❤️

Eswatini TV Eswatini observer Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority - ESWACAA FNB Eswatini Railways Africa Times of Eswatini African Pilot MTN Eswatini Inside Biz Eswatini Positive News FSACCI - French South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry

05/08/2026

3 Days to go
Thank you Eswatini TV

05/08/2026

MTN Eswatini CEO on the role of women in growing southern Africa's economies