During a small physical graduation ceremony for doctoral graduates from the Faculty of Economic and Management Science at Stellenbosch University (SU), Ms Louisa Mojela received the degree Doctor of Commerce (DCom), honoris causa, for her visionary leadership in establishing platforms to empower women on the African continent.
Mojela has made remarkable achievements in the business sector and innovative contributions to the socio-economic development of South Africa.
At the graduation ceremony on Tuesday (30 March 2021), SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers praised Mojela's leadership and her dedication to the “empowerment of women" and the creation of development opportunities.
“Louisa Mojela is a well-known figure in corporate South Africa having been a co-founder and long-time group chief executive officer of the Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (WIPHOLD), a company dedicated to the empowerment of women and the creation of development opportunities.
Under her leadership, WIPHOLD grew to be the country's premier black women-owned and managed investment company with billions invested across a wide array of industries. More than 200 000 black women are beneficiaries who hold a direct share of 33,6% in the holding company via WIPHOLD Investment Trust and WIPHOLD NGO Trust," said De Villiers.
Mojela graduated with a Bachelors in Commerce from the National University of Lesotho, and successfully completed the Executive Leadership Programme at Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania in the United States.
She is a well-known figure in corporate South Africa, and has served on the boards of companies such as Distell, Sun International, Sasol Mining and Life Healthcare Group Holding. She has received numerous awards for her business leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.
In May 2009, she received the Inaugural African Business Leadership Award in Dakar, initiated by the African Development Bank, and in 2010, she won the Africa Economic Builders Entrepreneur of the Year award in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast.
During the ceremony, Mojela thanked SU for the honorary doctorate and said that she was “humbled and grateful" for the honour bestowed upon her.
To watch the full graduation ceremony, click here.
