By Mauriza Fredericks, Old Mutual Namibia Group Brand Manager |

Old Mutual is an active participant in International Women’s Day (IWD) every year, along with all countries on the continent in which we operate.

This year, IWD was celebrated with the campaign theme #EmbraceEquity.

To truly embrace equity, we first need to understand the difference between ‘equality’ and ‘equity’, as these two words are interchangeable, while it is two separate concepts.

Equality means each individual or group of people or gender has access to the same resources or opportunities.

Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and is given access to the resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

Based on this understanding, the #EmbraceEquity campaign theme seeks to get the world talking about why “equal opportunities are no longer enough” – and can in fact be exclusionary, rather than inclusive.

With women representing a significant portion of our employee and customer base, IWD gives us a great opportunity to recommit to transformation by embracing our core values of diversity and inclusion – at the workplace, at home, across the communities, and throughout the world.

One of the ways we are giving equity a huge embrace this year is by celebrating women in the Innovation and Technology space at Old Mutual while raising awareness of the gender equality gaps that still exist.

One such woman in technology at Old Mutual is Esther Basson, Old Mutual’s Intelligent Automation Engineer.

Basson is an industrial engineer by qualification, currently in her fourth year as an intelligent automation engineer at Old Mutual.

“What I really enjoy about my job is that it has a good balance between technical functions and engaging with business as our internal customers.

“Because of my interest in technology and my love of working with people, I am usually able to act as an effective bridge between technical teams and business. I have also been serving as the operations representative on the Junior Executive Committee for 2022/2023,” says Basson.

Personally, Basson is someone who enjoys a positive environment and flourishes when surrounded by motivated people who enjoy going the extra mile.

“I love puzzles and solving problems and appreciate the value of diverse opinions. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, I have seen how a lack of representation often leads to discouragement and a feeling of competition for a seat at the table.”

Basson believes we need to create spaces in these fields where we are not scared of helping and mentoring other women to provide them with the tools to succeed.

“My view on the importance of equity and women’s empowerment is that it allows for a good balance of perspectives leading to more sustainable growth and, ultimately, more success as a society.”

Another woman demonstrating equity at Old Mutual is Helga Jamneck, Head of Project Management Office.

Jamneck has 34 years of experience in the life assurance industry, with more than 20 years in the project environment. She is inspired by the team spirit, hard work, regular customer engagements, and sheer exhilaration when successfully landing a solution.

“Over the years, I fulfilled many roles including business analyst, project manager, digital product owner, and programme manager,” Jamneck says.

“I am also a sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend for life. I believe that because women are resilient and stronger than they think, they have the power to play a bigger role in an ever-changing technological environment,” she states.

“My view on the importance of equity and the empowerment of women is that we can make a powerful contribution by delivering innovative and fit-for-purpose solutions and ideas.

“That is why education is so important – it is estimated that more than 90 percent of formal employment across sectors requires technological skills, especially in this digital era.

“We need to work together to create opportunities for our girls and women to receive innovation, technology, and digital education. The world is our oyster,” Jamneck adds.

In the photo: Esther Basson, Old Mutual’s Intelligent Automation Engineer, and Helga Jamneck, Head of Project Management Office at Old Mutual.