"Each time a (human being) stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice (he/she) sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance". (Robert Kennedy, 1966)Distinguished GuestsLadies and Gentlemen A while back, maybe two years ago, I was approached by some leading African women accountants to enquire whether I would be prepared to actively support the formation of a forum or organisation for African women accountants. My reply was very simple: yes, I would, provided that this was a serious enough effort which will not fall apart as quickly as it was put together. After some initial difficulties, I am glad that we are here today launching the African Women Chartered Accountants’ Forum (AWCA). I am therefore pleased that you have deemed it necessary to invite me to be part of this historic occasion. I am pleased that the midwives of this initiative have stood their ground to bring us where we are today. I offer you my heartfelt congratulations on such a tremendous step you have all taken. We all feel extremely elated at this development. This being more of a celebration than a seminar, a few words are more appropriate than a long thesis on gender and race relations. There are only two things to be said by me tonight about the AWCA. Firstly, it is imperative that this organization grows, matures and stands on its own feet. Many organizations are started with good sincere intent, but sooner rather than later, are subsumed by other interests save those of their members. At the core of this phenomenon is financial and resource independence. Many black professional organizations are not on a sound financial footing: they rely more on corporate contributions or corporate members and not on membership fees and own fundraising. This tends to affect their independence and their ability to survive in the event of the withdrawal of funding or sponsorship by corporations. Please do not allow anybody to put you in their pockets! Even if they never say so, they do go around boasting about it. So be warned. Membership commitment and financial support, is in my view, going to count fundamentally for the survival and integrity of your organisation. In that respect, please pay up your membership dues on time, participate in fundraising and grow your financial base. Secondly, I have to mention that in the past, I have participated in the launching of a few promising organisations which have been worthy of support. In one instance, my over-enthusiasm and excitement made me to abandon one function to be at the launch of an exciting initiative. Everything looked good, just the kind of development required for the new South Africa. Hardly a year after its launch, that particular initiative broke up acrimoniously into unrecognisable pieces. That was a major disappointment and seemed to give credibility to the view held by some that black people cannot get along – a view I totally disagree with. One failure does not mean that all is a lost cause. However, I draw attention to this particular episode because it has important lessons for all of us. One does not give up at the earliest and slightest indication of difficulties. All organisations, made up of human beings confront difficulties from time to time. Those who stick it out will always be our heroes and heroines. This initiative, to launch AWCA is too important to fail. So let us all ensure the growth, development and success of this organisation. I for one will stand side by side with you whenever called upon to do so. We have a historic duty to be successful. If we say that out of an estimated total of 21 000 CA’s in South Africa, we only have ± 90 African women CA’s, then the road ahead demands absolute focus, determination and the strengthening of the AWCA as a vehicle to promote the accounting profession amongst black people in general and African women in particular. Your task is