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Executive Director at Women of Africa (WOA) talented young people to seek innovative ways to access
complex hydrocarbon reservoirs,” said Hassan.
RIA HASSAN, the Multi award winner of Women of
Africa (WOA) is humbled by the numerous awards With predictions that Baby Boomers will retire within the
and recognition that she has received, as they have next few years, it is up to them and Generation X to ensure
Pmade her realise that “It can be done”. She said, that Millennials are upskilled, mentored and empowered
to take the industry forward. Hassan said, “Young South
“Having grown up watching LA Law, I was determined to Africans need to be exposed to and educated on the
become a lawyer and graduated in the early 1990s.
opportunities in the energy sector.”
I started my career in the logistics environment and As an entrepreneur that has successfully grown and
drew on my legal and corporate experience to build the diversified her business model, Hassan passionately
WOA brand and expand into the energy sector, women in believes that Africa’s greatest natural resource is our
logistics, women in construction, engineering, mining and, youth and that it is imperative that we accelerate efforts
still in its infancy stages, women in pharmaceuticals.”
to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship in young people, so
She added that given the choice and given the chance, that they become job creators instead of job-seekers. She
women have the power and potential to not only operate commented that we need a more robust private-public
in any industry, but to excel in it. Hassan added that partnership initiative to equip young people with essential
the recognition from her children has made the greatest business management skills, educate them on funding
impact on her. options available to them and help them deal with red tape
which, often, is what hinders their ability to prosper.
“I appreciated early on that if I wanted my son to grow
up in a world where women are respected as equal and WOA supports a number of projects that focus on
valuable contributors to society and a world where my women and child abuse, health and HIV and has worked
daughters can fully actualise their potential, then I would with international organisations in Africa to distribute rapid
have to actively work towards creating such a world. If I HIV confirmatory test kits that are donated to women, so
could do that, then, ultimately, the long hours and sacrifices that they can check their status and treat it accordingly.
would be worth it,” Hassan views her role as a board member of the
“This is what my work is essentially about. Every accolade, Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa as an
every goal, every milestone is about impacting the world in important part of her long term vision. “It has enabled
a way that makes it a more equal and rewarding place for me to work with like-minded women to drive the gender
my children and their peers to grow up in,” said Hassan. transformation dialogue at a regional and national level.”
Integrity and credibility are the top two strengths that “It has also allowed me to champion a project, together
Hassan firmly believes have been central to achieving with a dedicated sub-committee, that holds a special place
success in her career. She said, “The fuels and energy in my heart-the “Businesswomen of Tomorrow” (BWOT)
sector has always operated as an exclusive, males only club event. Many young girls aren’t given adequate information
and gaining a seat at the table was a mammoth task but on how to make informed career choices, manage finances,
one that I am immensely proud of having achieved, without prepare for interviews or the opportunity to engage with
compromising my business ethics. The underrepresentation successful women,” said Hassan.
of women in key industries remains an ongoing challenge Now in its 16th year, the BWOT workshops, a
that not only undermines the gender equality dialogue, but, collaborative project with the Department of Education, is
ultimately, the economic outcomes of a country.” designed to equip promising young girls from disadvantaged
Hassan added, “I also learnt early on that if you want to schools across KZN with the tools and resources they need
earn respect and overcome gender-based stereotypes, you to make a success of their entrance into the business world.
have to speak with confidence and certitude.” The workshops have impacted on thousands of girls and

“Coming from a logistical legal background, I had to enabled them to see, that a world of possibility, outside of
familiarise myself with the methods of calculating fuel their circumstances, is possible.
pricing and understanding the dynamics of the energy Hassan concluded, “I have had to rethink the guilt
sector, so that I could engage and negotiate as a serious that comes with seeking that elusive balance between a
role-player.” demanding career and the needs of my family and I have
She added that women that are already operating come to realise that “balance” is a moving target and has
successfully in the sector need to be more visible and meant different things at different stages of my life.
accessible. Having an online information-exchange forum Over the past few years, I have learnt to delegate much
is one such way for aspiring young women to tap into of the operational aspects of the business, giving me more
multi-perspective insights and learn from different women’s time to spend with my family. When I am away, technology
personal and business success models. “Globally, the allows me to be easily accessible and involved in their day
energy and oil sector is facing a skills shortage. Addressing to day experiences. A regular dose of “Vitamin Sea” also
occupational segregation is now a business imperative. helps me to unwind and relax. That’s when I can sit still
As the demand for energy increases, we need a pool of long enough!”

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