Africa Print covered the PrintHER Mentorship networking event in Cape Town, the last of three events hosted in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town in the last few weeks.
Now that everyone involved has had the opportunity to meet each other, mentors and mentees have been matched up and are excited to start the programme.
Printing SA launched the PrintHER Mentorship Programme last year, a new initiative designed by Colourblind Consulting to connect experienced professionals with emerging talent in the industry.
Abisha Katerere from Printing SA said, ‘I am very excited to see that we are finally kicking off with the programme not knowing how it would all work out. We have been overwhelmed with the number of participants, we wanted 30 ladies and there are over 60, which shows you the appetite for this. The next phase is for the mentors and mentees to engage. Every month has a different theme framed by the facilitators. There will be masterclasses with guest speakers to keep everyone motivated.’
The recruitment for the 2026 / 2027 group will start in May so that the next group can start after the Women In Print series in August. ‘We are probably going to double the numbers for next year. I think that it will be inspiring for everyone who sees this first group graduating at Women in Print,’ said Katerere.
Katerere is also looking to bring in the youth from the career days that Printing SA is hosting. He believes we need to capture these young minds early and get them involved in the mentorship programme.
The PrintHER Mentorship Programme is a spin-off from the successful Women in Print series which was started five years ago. Printing SA is also celebrating 115 years in 2026.
Ruth Shogoe from Novus shared motivation in making your mark with mentorship and challenged the ladies at the event to mentor at least four people in their life.
Getting involved in this mentorship programme is a deliberate step towards making your mark, said Floyd Munetsi, Colourblind Consulting, in his inspiring masterclass at the event.
Five tips to making your mark in 2026:
– Discover your purpose.
– Create something that helps.
– Adopt an ‘other’ focus.
– Take care of yourself too.
– Show up with intention.
Makhosi Chiwashira from Colourblind Consulting said the phrase ‘musha mukadzi’ (Shona) or ‘umuzi ngumama’ (IsiNdebele) is a proverb in Zimbabwean culture that translates to ‘a home is a woman’ or ‘the home is made by a woman’. This highlights the central role women play in building, managing, and sustaining the family emotionally, socially, and often as the economic anchor of the household.
Charnia Yapp spoke about Change One Woman (C1W) and how women in the printing, signage and branding can get involved and support each other:
– Visit the C1W networking events at the Africa Print expos. The next event will be held in Cape Town at the Africa Print and Sign Africa Expo at the CTICC on 12 March.
– Get involved in the PrintHER mentorship programme.
– We want to publish more interviews with women in the industry and articles written by women.
– If you offer any training, let us promote it to the C1W network.
– Share or use the expertise or services in the C1W network.
– We are always looking for sponsors of the C1W networking events and give-aways.
– Follow C1W on Facebook and LinkedIn to be a part of the online community and attend the networking events.
PRINTING SA
+27 11 287 1160
info@printingsa.org
http://www.printingsa.org
