JDA leader gets top nomination

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News and media releases: 2009

21 July 2009

Recognition for Lael Bethlehem, chief executive of the JDA

AFTER almost four years at the helm of the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), Lael Bethlehem has received recognition with a top nomination.

The Business Women's Association of South Africa (BWA) has nominated Bethlehem in the corporate category for Business Woman of the Year. The winner will be announced at a gala event in Sandton on 6 August.

"I would like to congratulate Lael on becoming a finalist for this prestigious award," said Luthando Vutula, the chairperson of the JDA.

"The BWA is the largest and most prominent association of business and professional women in South Africa, and is a dynamic forum that inspires and grows women in business," reads its website.

Nedbank is the official sponsor of the BWA. The award ceremony is a fundraiser for bursaries for women to undertake business studies.

The award has been running for almost 30 years, and previous recipients include Pam Golding, Maria Ramos, Marina Maponya, Dawn Mokhobo, Jane Raphaely and Gloria Serobe. It has been open to all races since its inception in 1980.

"The JDA is especially proud that Lael has been recognised by her peers for her tireless contributions over the past three years, at the JDA, to the regeneration of Joburg, and also her commitment to developing others," added Vutula.

Bethlehem took over as chief executive of the agency in August 2005. She has a masters degree in industrial sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand, and headed up the City's economic development unit for three years prior to her JDA appointment, which runs for another year.

Projects

The JDA is a City agency with the brief to stimulate and support economic development initiatives throughout the greater Johannesburg metropolitan area. It has overseen several huge projects - Constitution Hill, the Ellis Park precinct, Newtown, Kliptown, the Drill Hall, Braamfontein, Nelson Mandela Bridge, and more recently, the revamp of the troubled Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville areas, Jewel City, Baralink, the High Court precinct, and the fashion district.

The award seeks to recognise the success of women leaders in business, with the aim of creating a "cadre of female role models whose achievements will inspire other women to raise their sights and reach their goals", according to the website.

Nomination criteria include controlling a budget of R75-million or more in the corporate category; working in the company for a minimum of three years; a nominee must have "demonstrated her ability to achieve business success"; and, she must be a role model to others.

The JDA's budget for the 2008/09 year is R1,2-billion. The award is not a lifetime achievement award - women can be nominated at different stages in their careers.

"I trust that we will all continue to root for her, and ideally she will be successful in August," said Vutula. "Congratulations Lael for giving of your time and talents, and for positioning the JDA as a world-class organisation to the many aspirant professional women in South Africa."

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ABOUT THE JDA

The Johannesburg Development Agency, set up as a limited liability company, is an agency of the City of Johannesburg that stimulates and supports area-based economic development initiatives throughout the metropolitan area.

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