“Beyonda inspiring, my mission is to empower,” are the words Dr Babalwa Maholwana lives by. It is no surprise then, that despite the freezing cold and rainy weather outside, warmth and wisdom filled the Nelson Mandela Business School on Thursday, March 13.
The launch of Dr Babalwa Maholwana’s memoir, The After 40 Dilemma, was a riveting evening hosted in partnership with the Black Management Forum (BMF).
The event connected book enthusiasts, business leaders, and young professionals in a discussion rich with insight and personal reflection.
BMF NMB Chairperson, Siyabulela Jodwana, opened the evening by highlighting the importance of strategic leadership for black professionals.
“Strategic positions are held by black professionals, but the gates are still closed. We are saying to young professionals, occupy those spaces and be active in a meaningful way,” Jodwana urged.
Maholwana’s memoir resonated deeply with attendees, especially through an all-women panel discussion exploring corporate leadership, motherhood, and personal development.
The panel focused on the challenge women face in prioritising themselves amid demanding careers and family responsibilities.
Human Capital Specialist, Zola Ngoma, shared insights on maintaining balance, saying, “Balancing your everyday life means giving your most energy to what is important and making that choice every day.”
Reflecting on her memoir, Dr Maholwana said, “As women, we have been conditioned to give endlessly – to our careers, our families, and our relationships. But the biggest lesson I have learned is that you cannot pour from an empty cup. The After 40 Dilemma is about reclaiming yourself, your voice, and your power – without guilt.”
The After-40 Dilemma is the real-life story of one woman’s transition into her 40s; her fierce race against her biological clock while navigating a melting pot of blended family parenting, adult learning, and multiple mental health crises.
Babalwa (fondly known as Dr Babs) is a qualified medical doctor and mother of one who is at the peak of an enviable executive career in pharmaceuticals.
A whirlwind romance in her early 40s challenges most of her assumptions and choices about getting married, having more children, studying further, and living her purpose.
The evening unfolded with panelists, Zola Ngoma, Clinical Psychologist, Ziyanda Arose-Dlulane, and Nomhle “Chinese” Tys, Public Sector Lead for Metrofile, sharing personal stories of resilience, leadership, and self-discovery, echoing the book’s core message: women can and should prioritise their own well-being while succeeding in their professional and personal lives.
The event celebrated professionals and leaders who embody authenticity, set boundaries, and embrace empowerment.
The After 40 Dilemma serves as both a memoir and a guide for navigating personal growth, leadership, and self-care in the modern world.
A copy of The After-40 Dilemma costs R280 and is available for purchase through Amazon.
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