Ntsebeng Motsoeli
AWARD-WINNING chef, author and entrepreneur, Sekamotho Moteane has made it to the final of the Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government awards for 2014.
The awards are an initiative of South African media company, CEO Communications to recognise the important role women play in the development of society.
Ms Moteane’s entrepreneurship and social work has seen her name, which was nominated anonymously, shortlisted for the final stage of the competition with other businesswomen from the African continent.
Ms Moteane’s cookery book, Cuisine of the Mountain Kingdom — Cooking in Lesotho, containing 28 traditional Basotho dishes, won her awards from the Gourmand International Awards for Best First Cookbook and the Best Cookbook in Africa last year.
Along with other chefs from the continent, Ms Moteane pioneered “Flava of Africa”; a project that raises funds for agricultural programmes for secondary schools. Added to this, Ms Moteane also engages in career guidance for high school students.
In an interview, Ms Moteane told the Lesotho Times she was happy her efforts had finally been recognised, thanking the person who entered her name for the awards.
“I do not know who submitted my name,” Ms Moteane said. “But it means someone is aware of my efforts to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Ms Moteane said two weeks ago she got a message from CEO Communications informing her she had been shortlisted to compete in the final stage towards winning the award.
“I will know the final result when they announce the regional winners on July 30 at an event in Johannesburg,” she said.
Thereafter, all the finalists will be taken on a tour across Africa.
“The purpose of the tour is for the finalists to network with other women and share business ideas.”
The awards initiative has evolved into the Most Influential Women in Business and Government programme, which has gained stature over the course of several years to become the pre-eminent recognition platform for women.
The 12-month programme is designed to uplift and recognise women across the African continent, as well as providing a platform they can use to celebrate their achievements, while paying tribute to women who are consistently exercising a positive influence on the continent.
