Daniel Padiachy, Executive: Supply Chain, Marketing and Technology at McDonald’s South Africa

Collaborations are often born out of synergies and common values between organizations, and this is no different in the partnership between McDonald’s South Africa and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.

McDonald’s South Africa has ventured into a two-year partnership with FORBES WOMAN AFRICA as a headline sponsor for the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit. By forging this alliance, the two organizations, each of which is a pioneer in its own field bringing about significant and positive changes in society, highlight the power of women.

“The partnership between McDonald’s SA and the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is one that speaks to synergy and the beliefs that both organizations hold when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion as well as women empowerment. McDonald’s SA believes in platforms that foster dialogue amongst female leaders to cross-weave their knowledge and drive socio-economic change,” says Daniel Padiachy, Executive: Supply Chain, Marketing and Technology at McDonald’s South Africa.

Real change is seen when women from different spheres provide each other a platform where they can learn, bestow knowledge and grow together. The power of women connecting and supporting each other should never be underestimated. Engaging women in leadership positions will champion other women. Thus, creating a safe environment where women can unlock their potential which leads to safe and functional communities.

McDonald’s South Africa has its own Women Leadership Network, a platform that encourages a cross-weaving of knowledge and inspires change among subject matter experts. It also aims to honor women by acknowledging and celebrating their achievements through conversations with phenomenal women in their own spaces of influence. Since its inception in 2021, the McDonald’s South Africa purpose-led initiative has reached over thousands of women across the country.

We have the responsibility and opportunity to bridge the gap and play our part in ensuring that women are offered equal opportunities and thus drive inclusion. We embrace this opportunity to drive meaningful progress, and to do so through our own initiatives as well as through collaborations. We are strongly invested in ensuring a world free of bias, with equal representation and an equal opportunity for women’s voices to be heard.

As big businesses we need to take this seriously and be committed as it allows for an opportunity to engage with women from all walks of life. We believe that we should always walk the talk, and not just talk the talk.

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As McDonald’s South Africa, over the past 26 years, we are proud to have had over 65% women in our business; we continuously find ways to enable everyone within our business, not only focusing on women but inclusively bringing men along. The key driver in our business is a constant push against complacency, we strive to uphold transformation and excellence in all our interactions in all aspects of our business be it with our employees, executives or even our suppliers, thus giving us an opportunity to build a brand that lives in the hearts of our people.

Our young generation of women should always be empowered and encouraged to become better leaders who alter the narrative in their spheres, thus creating a bright future for their communities through conversations and action. By providing opportunities for women to succeed and realize their full potential, we hope to continue disrupting the power dynamic and alter the current status quo.