MISA WOMEN'S FORUM

Roll up your sleeves and get involved with the MISA’s Women’s Forum.

Every day members witness the extraordinary work the representatives of the Union’s Women’s Forum and their teams are doing nationwide.

Through the projects of the Forum, MISA has become a beacon of hope for non-profit organizations by strengthening their hands to continue serving.

Martlé Keyter, Chief Executive Officer: Operations, founded the Women’s Forum in August 2009, the objectives are as follows:

To raise general awareness and to increase the understanding of gender equality issues in the “world of work”;
To increase women’s economic and financial independence and decision-making;
To address issues relating to pregnancy, balancing work and family life, to promote flexibility in working conditions and enhancing social benefits;
To address issues on access to education and training;
To assist women to live above the expectations of society;
To establish social dialogue between MISA, female members and employers, to address conditions of employment through collective bargaining;
To assist and train women in non-traditional work roles;
To identify obstacles for women workers to join trade unions; and
To build alliances with other women's organisations.

Through MISA, women invest in skills, knowledge and lifelong learning experiences. We are the vanguard of basic workers’ rights and carry the obligatory responsibility to adequately protect and promote the interests of women in the workplace.

As a trade union, MISA is a leader in the quest for a more just and decent society in which our members can control their own destiny. MISA believes in Ubuntu, humanity to others.

By taking hands with a network of individuals and organisations in our MISA FAMILY, we can achieve so much more and allow our members to play their part in building a better South Africa for generations to come.

We need all the help we can get. If you can make a contribution or have a suggestion for the Women’s Forum, please don’t hesitate to contact Karen Gouws on (041) 364 0102 or Karen.Gouws@ms.org.za

MISA Woman of the Year 2024 is #MISAMADE

Fadiah Maarman, MISA Woman of the Year 2024 cannot believe that she is the winner of this prestigious award after being nominated twice.

The 40-year old Creditors Clerk at Nissan Eastern Cape, in Gqeberha was nominated for the second time this year and the region takes the award for the 2nd year in a row since the inception of the MISA Woman of the Year.

She wins an educational trip to the annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) show in New Orleans in January 2025.

“It still feels like a dream come true, and I am appreciating how everything unfolded. I am an introvert and I was shaking when Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations announced my name at the award ceremony held on the 6th of November 2024,” says Maarman.

She believes that the award is a life changing experience and will also be a stepping stone into being the change she wants to see in our country. Her passion lies in education, women upliftment, the fight against gender based violence and helping those in need. She has been married for 14 years to her number one supporter and is blessed to be a mother to their 4-year old son, born nearly a decade after being told they will never have children of their own.

“It was not time yet and now I was ready to take on the challenge. It reminded me of how I started with the goody bags at the gala event to now the MISA Woman of the Year. I really cannot believe it and how far I have come. It means the work has to start.

“I believe in education being the step ladder out of poverty after my father raised his three daughters and made sure that they get an education. Although he did not get to finish school, he taught us that it is one thing that can never be taken from you and I will be always grateful for that,” says Maarman.

Fadiah has been part of the industry and MISA for 11 years and a MISA Women’s Forum Representative for over a year.

Maarman takes nothing for granted wanting to look back at her journey, December next year, and be proud of what she had achieved.

“Being the voice for the voiceless makes the difference. I went through this journey when I was depressed and at my lowest however, helping someone in need made me feel better and that was the wakeup call I needed.

Through me, someone should remember that they can do it too.

“It is only impossible until it’s done” and that is what sums up this journey for me.

“I would love to see all the former MISA Women of the Year work together for the better good. With the educational trip next year, it would be an amazing opportunity to learn more about our industry abroad,” says Maarman.

MISA WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

MISA Woman of the Year 2024 Fadiah Maarman

Fadiah Maarman, MISA Woman of the Year 2024 cannot believe that she is the winner of this prestigious award after being nominated twice.

The 40-year old Creditors Clerk at Nissan Eastern Cape, in Gqeberha was nominated for the second time this year and the region takes the award for the 2nd year in a row since the inception of the MISA Woman of the Year.

She wins an educational trip to the annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) show in New Orleans in January 2025.

“It still feels like a dream come true, and I am appreciating how everything unfolded. I am an introvert and I was shaking when Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations announced my name at the award ceremony held on the 6th of November 2024,” says Maarman.

She believes that the award is a life changing experience and will also be a stepping stone into being the change she wants to see in our country. Her passion lies in education, women upliftment, the fight against gender based violence and helping those in need. She has been married for 14 years to her number one supporter and is blessed to be a mother to their 4-year old son, born nearly a decade after being told they will never have children of their own.

“It was not time yet and now I was ready to take on the challenge. It reminded me of how I started with the goody bags at the gala event to now the MISA Woman of the Year. I really cannot believe it and how far I have come. It means the work has to start.

“I believe in education being the step ladder out of poverty after my father raised his three daughters and made sure that they get an education. Although he did not get to finish school, he taught us that it is one thing that can never be taken from you and I will be always grateful for that,” says Maarman.

Fadiah has been part of the industry and MISA for 11 years and a MISA Women’s Forum Representative for over a year.

Maarman takes nothing for granted wanting to look back at her journey, December next year, and be proud of what she had achieved.

“Being the voice for the voiceless makes the difference. I went through this journey when I was depressed and at my lowest however, helping someone in need made me feel better and that was the wakeup call I needed.

Through me, someone should remember that they can do it too.

“It is only impossible until it’s done” and that is what sums up this journey for me.

“I would love to see all the former MISA Women of the Year work together for the better good. With the educational trip next year, it would be an amazing opportunity to learn more about our industry abroad,” says Maarman.

MISA Woman of the Year 2023 Delmary Delport

Woman of the Year Award 2023

Delmary Delport (43), winner of the prestigious MISA Woman of the Year Award 2023, believes anything is possible and you should not let your past define you. She grew up in Elsies River, 15 km from Cape Town in the Western Cape. This is an area known for its gangsters, illegal firearms and drugs.

Today she is an Operations Manager at Tavcor Motor Group in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. She joined the retail motor industry more than two decades ago.

Heidi Reid, Senior Vice-President of MISA who was one of the judges of the Award, says Delport stood out because of her personality and her passion for women. Reid says that it was a tough decision to make as this year’s women were of high a calibre. She believes Delport will be an inspiring winner and her passion for women's empowerment will take her places and inspire other women to go places, no matter their capabilities.

Delport won an educational trip to the annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, USA from 1 to 4 February 2024.

Delport is delighted to have won, but was in disbelief when her name was called out. She believes the other four finalists, Nolene Oosthuizen (Bloemfontein in the Free State), Patricia Ogle (Durban in KwaZulu-Natal), Bianca Fluckiger (Cape Town in the Western Cape) and Mirriam Mashego (Johannesburg in the Northern/Highveld Region), are equally deserving of the title.

Delport says to her, hard work and perseverance is coming together. She would not have achieved these great heights if it was not for her parents, Phillip and Cecelia Mackenna.

Delport says that where you come from should not define you.

“As a kid growing up, I have always believed in going all out for something that I believe in and as I grew older I understood the struggle and sacrifice my parents made for me and my two sisters, as her mother was a factory worker and her father was a postman. She was nominated by the staff from VW Tavcor in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

“I remember I attended the last interview on the day before my mother’s burial. I believe that she was with me, proud and smiling down on me. Parents should always be the role models of their children and ensure they have a better future,” says Delport.

Delport believes she will be able to inspire young workers in the industry to never give up on their dreams. This will be her second time travelling abroad, her first time was in 2019 when she won Best National Service Advisor for Audi and represented South Africa in Germany against 39 other countries. She also hopes to make a difference to young girls from previously disadvantaged communities through her involvement in the work of MISA’s Women’s Forum.

Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, founded the Women’s Forum in 2009 to voice the social responsibility of workers. The Women’s Forum assists various non-profit organisations with numerous projects nationwide.

Delport is taking over from Monique Dalhouzie, MISA Woman of the Year 2022.

“What an honour, I have big shoes to fill, as Dalhouzie has done tremendous work. I’ve always believed that if I could change one woman’s life, it would mean everything. I would love to change the narrative, it’s like a dream come true.

“I am passionate about human resources and plan on furthering my studies. I wish every MISA member knew of the opportunities MISA offers. MISA cares about education and for women’s voices to be heard.”