Each year on Women’s Day in South Africa, we pause to honour the courage, strength and resilience of women, past and present, who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations. The day holds deep historical significance, rooted in the 1956 march of 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in protest against unjust laws. Seventy years later, that extraordinary
demonstration remains both a tribute and a call to action: a reminder of how far we have come, and how much further we still must go.

The profiles filling the pages of this sixth edition offer words of courage, inspiration and wisdom. Each woman featured has a unique story to tell, and valuable advice to impart. There is immense power in women learning from and supporting other women who have worked hard, overcome obstacles, and gone on to achieve their goals. As American writer, professor, philosopher, poet and civil rights activist Audre Lorde observed: “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences.”

What is increasingly clear is that deals are about far more than valuation, financial analysis and commercial negotiation. These technical skills matter enormously; they open the door and provide the foundation for a successful
career. But it is often the skills beyond the numbers that determine how that career develops. Understanding people as much as understanding numbers; communicating effectively, building trusted relationships, showing empathy and resilience, and knowing how to navigate different personalities and perspectives are all essential. In an industry built on relationships, these so-called ‘soft skills’ are anything but soft – they are often what turns technical expertise into lasting professional success.

The feature will be launched at the fourth DealMakers Women’s Day networking event, building on the success of the past three years and, once again, bringing together an inspiring group of women for conversation
and connection. This year’s panel comprises Logan Hufkie, a director at PSG Capital; Trishanta Dheepnarayan, a director at Metier Private Equity; Wairimu Karungu, Vice President, M&A Advisory East Africa at Stanbic Bank Kenya; and Nolu Mkhonza, Bephor cocreator and Hallyu co-founder.

My grateful thanks go to all those in the industry who continue to support and
participate in this feature, and to my team: women who themselves juggle many roles, for their dedication, commitment and excellence in compiling this discourse. This feature is, ultimately, a collaboration and a testament to
the talent, resilience and growing influence of women in the M&A and financial capitalmarkets space.