Women in leadership: The ongoing struggle for equality in the corner office

Women hold about 47% of senior management roles locally, one of the highest levels globally. Women also occupy about 38% of board seats at companies listed on the JSE, while executive committee representation stands closer to 31%. Women remain underrepresented in the highest levels of corporate leadership in South Africa, even as their presence in senior management and boardrooms has grown.

According to BDO South Africa’s Women in Business report, women hold about 47% of senior management roles locally, one of the highest levels globally. However, Buhle Hanise, national head of business restructuring at BDO South Africa, said the distribution of real power tells a different story, with chief executive officer positions across major listed entities still overwhelmingly held by men. Hanise said that while women are increasingly present in senior management and board roles, the highest levels of corporate authority remain largely male-dominated.

“Women already sit across board tables and executive committees in significant numbers. Yet when the most consequential mandates arise, the distressed asset, the turnaround, the high-risk Profit & Loss, authority remains disproportionately concentrated.” “Women have long been present in finance and advisory. The issue is how opportunity is allocated.” Hanise noted that women are also underrepresented in complex turnaround mandates and profit-and-loss leadership roles, assignments that often shape reputational capital and succession prospects.

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Buhle Hanise, national head of business restructuring at BDO South Africa. Globally, a similar pattern is evident. The United Kingdom has surpassed 40% female board representation across the Financial Times Stock Exchange 350, yet female chief executive officer representation remains in the low teens.

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