Women urged to embrace online mentorship
Women who benefitted from the previous cohort of the WILD Leadership Mentoring School such as Nomalanga Ncube and Sikhululekile Moyo have stressed the need for women to adapt to the changing times and be flexible so as to benefit from online mentorship.
March is a historical month to celebrate women who lead and encourage more women to take up positions of influence in different sectors.
Nomalanga Ncube runs a guest house, lodge, catering and events management company under her Working Girl Events brand. She is a success coach and mentors women in business. Sikhululekile Moyo is a politician, public speaker, Ward 17 councillor and caretaker councillor for Ward 19. She is also the Chairperson of the Future Water and Action Committee under the Bulawayo City Council. Moyo also sits in the Health and Housing Committee and General Purposes Committee.
Ncube said her journey to success involved gaining knowledge from both physical and online mentors. She said mentors such as Eunice Dlamini who she met through the WILD Leadership Mentoring School contributed to her success.
“Women should take advantage of this COVID-19 period and learn new ways. Women
should listen to podcasts, build their knowledge and utilise new media for mentorship purposes. Online mentoring is ideal because you have control over the availability of mentors you don’t have to wait for the mentor to be available as in face-to-face mentoring,” said Ncube.
Speaking during a radio programme, Ncube highlighted that the value of mentorship lies in its ability to guide people on their vision and purpose using three proven methods.
“There are three types of mentoring which include coaching, guidance and sponsorship. Coaching is when you help someone realise their vision and find their purpose in life through assisting them to discover their talents. Guidance is when you are in a similar industry and you share with the mentee the good and bad of the industry. Sponsorship is when the mentee has connections in that industry and they refer you to the rightful person to assist you,” said Ncube.
Moyo highlighted that she was inspired by Priscilla Misihairambwi Mushonga because of the work that she was doing, how she was standing for women’s rights and the confidence that she had.
“I was part of the first cohort of the WILD Leadership Mentoring School and we were groomed to become confident leaders. We were paired with mentors who assisted us to become confident speakers so that we do not stutter when we speak or address people.”
“I now mentor at least 20 young women from my community and they are now taking positions as chairpersons of the taskforce in Ward 17 and some are a taking leadership in community groups,” said Moyo.
Both Ncube and Moyo have been mentoring at least 45 women through online platforms during this Women’s Month.
Listeners who called in during the programme highlighted that reading is also an essential component for learning and mentorship. Listeners also sought clarity on the kind of mentor they should identify and it was stressed that when looking for a mentor, one has to look for someone who is willing to help, has time to help and is successful.