South African CEO Hails Indian Entrepreneurs, Champions Digital Transformation

In a remarkable acknowledgment, Phuti Mahanyele, the esteemed CEO of Naspers South Africa, a prominent global technology investment group, has lauded Indian entrepreneurs as "among the best in the world." Addressing an event held in Johannesburg on International Women's Day, Mahanyele highlighted the exceptional abilities of Indian entrepreneurs in building products at scale and value. She further commended India's significant focus on inclusion and development, which she observed during her visit to Delhi in November 2022.

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India and South Africa: Forerunners in Technological Advancement

Mahanyele emphasized the shared history between India and South Africa, expressing Naspers' delight in replicating this connection through its investments in India. She recognized India as a high-focus country for technological advancements, stating that Naspers, as a tech business, has made substantial investments in the nation. Mahanyele emphasized the joint efforts of India and South Africa in harnessing the power of technology to drive efficiencies and create new business opportunities across their economies.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence

While acknowledging the technological advancements and digital transformation taking place in both countries, Mahanyele cautioned against leaving women behind. She highlighted the pervasive nature of gender-based violence in India and South Africa but expressed optimism due to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Cyril Ramaphosa, who are committed to effectively addressing this issue.

Women's Leadership in India

Mahanyele shared her positive experience meeting with Invest India, where she discovered that 50% of its leadership comprises women. She also noted India's impressive ranking as the second out of 40 countries in terms of social support for women entrepreneurs. These observations underscore the progress made in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in India.

The event, organized to honor ten remarkable women from various fields on International Women's Day, was a testament to the ongoing efforts to recognize and celebrate women's achievements. The presence of the Consulate General of India, the India Business Forum, and the Johannesburg Indian Women's Association demonstrated the collaborative spirit in fostering women's empowerment and promoting stronger ties between India and South Africa.