OMODA pays tribute to the crucial role that women play in South Africa’s broader automotive space this Women’s Month, while also highlighting the contributions made by the many female individuals involved with the success of the fast-growing brand.
While National Women’s Day is celebrated on 9 August – commemorating the 1956 march of more than 20 000 women to the Union Buildings – Women’s Month provides an extended opportunity to consider the empowerment of females and the importance of gender equality.
“At OMODA, we’re strong advocates for the empowerment of women in general, a fact that’s clear from the number of partnerships we have forged with female personalities. In addition, it’s worth noting that my entire – highly talented – marketing team is female,” said Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager OMODA & JAECOO.
Gahagan herself is well known in the automotive industry for both her marketing acumen and incredible work ethic, and has been instrumental in the recent rapid growth of Brand O&J – the Chery Group division comprising the OMODA and JAECOO marques – in South Africa.
Despite the country’s highly competitive automotive space still being largely dominated by men, Gahagan has rapidly risen to prominence, thanks to her understanding of and insight into consumer behaviour. She is also the driving force behind OMODA’s partnerships with several high-profile female personalities.
For instance, both award-winning DJ Zinhle and likewise multi-talented Boitumelo Thulo (better known as Boity) officially joined the OMODA family earlier this year in wide-ranging collaborations. The brand has also since partnered with Thandokazi P Mashalaba, a well-known digital content creator.
In addition, highly acclaimed fashion designer Khosi Nkosi recently collaborated with OMODA to create a breath-taking series of vehicle-wrap designs to celebrate the innovative brand’s first birthday in Mzansi, while reality television star and presenter Nonkanyiso “LaConco” Conco also has a relationship with the brand.
“While Women’s Month helps to draw attention to the many challenges that women in South Africa still face today, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate their strength and resilience as well as their invaluable contributions in all spheres, including the automotive industry. So, here’s to the women of South Africa and the women of O-Club,” said Gahagan.