As a confident, award-winning businesswoman with integrity and a high level of commitment, blessed with a naturally positive and motivational approach to life and business, I am a leader with a passion to see and help people succeed in life. I enjoy challenges that...
On 23 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country would go into what was to be known as lockdown level 5 at midnight on Thursday, March 26. Redflank – a specialist management consultancy – conducted a BeyondCovid Business Survey which found that...
Let’s be honest- you read the title in the iconic Barbie voice. If you have, you certainly came across the right article. If not, you can still proceed to read this article. Barbie has certainly taken the world by storm since its debut in 1959. Women all...
The year 2014 will be remembered for several milestones, including South Africa celebrating 20 years of democracy, holding its first free, fair and transparent election, and the first year that, as a nation, we celebrated former President Mandela’s birthday in his...
Serving is an essential part of what life is about and the highest of all callings, is the call to servanthood. As National President in 2015 and 2016, my vision for SACBW was to serve the organisation wholeheartedly, with dedication, and to grow and build a stronger...
Albert Einstein said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. The above and the 4th Industrial Revolution led the way for the SACBW to re-think the why, how, and what they were/were not doing. We believed that the SACBW was...
Anthony Robbins said: “You are the source of all your emotions. At any moment you can create or change them. You can decide to feel good right now, simply because you’re alive, simply because you want to.” I found this quote at the bottom of a page in my diary. Out of...
A deep dive into the NEET rate and overall youth unemployment scenario in 2023, highlighting the changes and trends in the first quarter. The reality is that our youth are left behind! As per Stats SA’s QLFS report approximately 10.2 million people aged 15 to 24 were...
The way we perceive business flourishing is undergoing a paradigm shift as digital identity and consumer consent redefine the dynamics of transactions. Shanaaz Trethewey, Chief Operating Officer for Comcorp South Africa, a leading software innovator and...
The President assented to the General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act. Act, No. 22 of 2022 on 22 December 2022, and now we are well halfway into the new year. Have we actually stood still for a moment to reflect on what the...
Reputation management is all about building and fostering relationships. In the bigger scheme of things, this is one of the easier things to do when setting out to grow your business and reputation. But we often find that an organization’s ability to build closer...
Hanlie Delport, President of the SACBWThe traditional roles for women were as mothers, wives, and homemakers but it is a fact that 42% of children in South Africa are being raised by a single parent (often the mother). Furthermore, the fact the education and health...
Encouraging women to unleash their Brilliance and claim their worth As South Africa celebrates all things women this August, Dr. Sheryl Smithies, a highly regarded dental specialist based in Cape Town, has emerged as a prominent advocate for empowering female...
Santi Britz is a wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and founder of iDUC. The horrific reality of crime in our country brought her life to a sudden standstill on 21 January 2009, when she was brutally raped in her home. Some of the painful realities were:...
I am a declared optimist. Negative people give me the jitters and I cannot get out of their company fast enough. But I am also a realist - I have made peace with the fact that life is not fair and I do not engage in endless conversations about potholes, corruption, or...
The theme of the 2003 Annual Congress, held at the Grand West Casino in Cape Town on 24 October, was “Survival in the Business Jungle”: TARZAN vs JANE … Does Jane stand a chance? On behalf of, and in honor of, the SA Council for Businesswomen, I am proud to shout it...
Winda was introduced to the National Council for Businesswomen in 1993 at the founding meeting of the Cape Town Branch, led by the then President, Erna Pretorius. She was elected as a committee member and became the leader of the branch in 1995. The Cape Town branch...
Shanaaz Trethewey is an inspiration, not only for her leadership and organizational capabilities but also for her role as a woman in the tech space. She is passionate about the role businesses play in service society through technology especially as the reliance on...
Strange times bring with them new challenges and a new vocabulary. Years ago we were exposed to phrases like grassroots level and transformation and we soon incorporated these words into our private dictionaries. Who would have thought that terms like lockdown,...
In support of our country’s Constitution, the Council actively made work of involving women of all ethnicities and belief systems. In 2010, Thelma Mathamelo became the first black President. Since then, a multitude of black business women has seen the value of joining...
Despite technological advances in cybersecurity, humans remain the weakest link in companies’ security strategies - and social media isn’t helping. Says Tony Walt, co-founder and director at Port443, “Staff training is essential for cultivating cybersecurity...
The SACBW (“the Council”) formed an integral part of Elise T Coetser’s life for more than 15 years. Within a year or so after she joined as a member, she was appointed as Chairperson of the Pretoria Branch. During this period, the branch received the Branch of the...
Diana Becker was introduced to the South Africa Council for Businesswomen (SACBW) in 2002 during a monthly meeting held in Pretoria. Susca Watts was Chairperson at that time and in July 2002 I had the privilege of being elected as Vice Chairwoman. The events allowed...
How to use your wardrobe as a strategic tool in business "Clothes make the man. Naked people have no influence in society" - Mark Twain Yes, I know, this is quite an odd way to say that your clothes, as a key aspect of your appearance, actually matter a lot. So, why...
In my previous columns, I talked about how Nedbank’s purpose-led transformation has informed the bank’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) journey. I used the word IGNITE as an acronym to unpack some of the transformation lessons we’ve learned and talked...
Artificial Intelligence (AI), what a complex and often controversial topic! I must confess, I've always been cautious about embracing new trends and technologies. Whenever I heard the words AI or ChatGPT, I tended to shy away. In my mind, I have convinced myself that...
It is amazing what one finds when you do some digging in the past. Look at this amazing quote by CS Lewis – British writer, philosopher, and thinker (1898 – 1963) – and agree with me that this is a poignant message for all of us in these challenging days: You can’t go...
AFRIKAANSE HANDELSINSTITUUT (AHi)The AHi, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1942 by a few visionaries in big business who realized the need for an organization, outside the sphere of politics, to support business development and economic growth.The...
Dr. Annique Theron was born on the eve of the Great Depression and grew up on Mooikloof farm near Potgietersrus, where she lost her family while still young. The traumatic event spurred her to move to Pretoria where she studied and met her future husband. She wanted...
In today's fast-paced and highly demanding work environments, the well-being of employees has become a critical factor for organizational success. Recognizing the significance of employee wellness, forward-thinking companies are prioritizing initiatives to create a...
Kotie Botha was the co-founder of the South African Council for Business Women (SACBW) and was part of a formidable business team with her daughter, Theresa van der Merwe. They owned “House of Chic”, a glamorous fashion house, in Alberton City. The business offered...
Erna Pretorius’s parents owned a general dealership in Hennenman in the Free State, so she was exposed to entrepreneurship from an early age. Her father always attributed his business success to her mother. When Erna was in grade 1, she already had to assist to count...
South Africans are so “tuned” into physical crime- or call it conventional crimes - that we understand we need to look around when stopping at traffic lights; we know that you should keep our handbags hidden. Heck, we literally lock our businesses down as if it is...
A toxic workplace can have a devastating impact on employees and organisations alike. It can cause high levels of stress, low morale, and high turnover rates. In extreme cases, it can even lead to legal action. For leaders, especially the HR leader who is often...
We all know people who are waiting for times to change, fortune to show its face, or the intervention of others to make a difference in our lives. I have news for you - nothing in life happens by itself. Except aging, which will happen, regardless of our input. In...
A political commentator called Adam Tooze came up with a new phrase last year. He said that the world we are experiencing is one that is in a ‘Poly-crisis’. There are multiple international crises happening simultaneously. The intersection of each creates its own...
Ergonomics Regulations form part of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 as amended (OSHA) and are intended to protect the health and safety of persons who may be exposed to ergonomics risks in the workplace. When we consider the aim and purpose of health...
Mrs Rika Venter, the founder of the SACBW, had a vision for the business women of South Africa. She could not see any logic in why the women of South Africa could not succeed in the business world and why they could not have a platform of their own where they could...
Chantal is one busy lady. As a business coach, creator, community builder and stakeholder engagement strategist she also holds the position as CEO of Africa People Impact Initiatives and Founding Member/Director of UNI (You and I) Primary Cooperative Limited. “I...
More businesses are seeing the value of a human-centric strategy as change and upheaval in the workplace continue. People want a sense of connection and belonging in these challenging times. It is crucial to view team members as individuals rather than just as...
Kershini Govender, Nedbank’s Executive Head of Transformation and Strategy, unpacks the five-pronged approach used to drive strategy development. Last month, I used the word IGNITE as an acronym to unpack what we, at Nedbank, have learnt about transformation. This...
I recently came across this definition of a goal: A goal is a dream with a deadline. The opposite is also true – a goal without a deadline will remain a dream. Some people set goals in their stride; people climbing the corporate ladder often do it in a structured way,...
The daily newspapers Die Vaderland´ and “Ðie Transvaler” published a supplement on women in business on 5 August 1988 and it contained an advertisement with the title “MET ‘N VROU AGTER DIE WIEL HET DIE MOTOR BEKEND GEWORD” (With a woman behind the wheel, this...
We all know the importance of a business strategy, but how you implement the strategy is what matters. However, implementing a strategy is not limited to a roll-out plan with dates and targets. To implement your strategy, you must get it into your employees' and...
Looking after your health and becoming fit, is very closely linked to looking after your reputation. You need good health to get you through life, and you need a good reputation to support you through your company’s journey. Regine le Roux, founder and managing...
The loss of a family member or a loved one is a challenging and emotional life experience. Help and guidance are essential for getting affairs in order swiftly. The winding up of an estate is a lengthy administrative process with a lot of hurdles to overcome at the...
In today's fast-paced business world, having a clear and concise business strategy is essential. However, it is not enough to simply have a strategy; it must also be effectively communicated to all stakeholders within the organization. This is where business strategy...
We currently work in businesses where we find five generations in the workplace. This means if you’re a manager in your 30’s you’re most probably managing team members that are 10 or 20 years older than you. In my career as an HR leader for a multinational business,...
I am certain that most of you have some time or another asked the question of what is the point of networking. You might even have a more deep-seated discontent with a networking experience. The awkward interactions. The issue of not knowing what to talk about with...
Many clients ask me why they should trademark their company name and their products. My answer is simple you should look at your trademark as a treasure box. A trademark adds value to your company, in essence, it is an asset to your company. It is in fact an...
It is nothing new to feel exhausted – even though we are still at the beginning of the year. As if the calendar has anything to do with our biological clocks. Fatigue is a modern-day phenomenon, scientists say. It is a symptom and not an illness but shouldn’t be left...
In my last column, I spoke about Nedbank’s purpose-led transformation approach. Nedbank’s purpose statement is to use our financial expertise to do good for individuals, families, businesses and society. Reflecting on how I could best articulate Nedbank’s...
Executive Head of Transformation and Strategy at Nedbank, Kershini Govender, explains how purpose has informed the bank’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) journey. I’d like to share a little about Nedbank’s purpose-led transformation approach and how it has evolved to...
Droughts. Load shedding. Covid. Load shedding. Riots. Floods. Load shedding. Invasions. Threats of nuclear war. The Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight! We used to go into a new year with hope and optimism, but the tone of the conversation over the last while...
Self-employed professionals can choose which hours they work. Likewise, many companies offer flexible hours and work-from-home options to their employees. This means that millions of working professionals now have the opportunity to work at the times they feel alert...
“It’s not what the vision is, it’s what the vision does.” – Peter Senge. A vision statement is an aspirational description of what an organization would like to achieve or accomplish in the mid-term or long-term future. It is intended to serves as a clear guide for...
It is amazing what one finds when you do some digging into the past. Look at this amazing quote by CS Lewis – British writer, philosopher, thinker (1898 – 1963) – and let us agree that this is a poignant message for all of us in these challenging days: You can’t go...
We chatted to our 2023 thought leader, Kershini Govender, Nedbank's Executive Head of Transformation and Strategy, who will be sharing tips, tricks and inspiration in a monthly column.Kershini Govender was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg. After completing a BCom...
The South African Council for Business Women (SACBW) believes that every women has the ability to be successful. Although not all of us see ourselves as entrepreneurs, many women have been forced to start their own business to supplement their income or to make ends...
It’s hard to think of life without technology. From being able to stream movies on Netflix, asking Alexa to play our favourite songs or just being able to Google the weather, latest soccer scores or answers to life’s most puzzling questions – technology is playing a...
Droughts. Load shedding. Covid. Load shedding. Riots. Floods. Load shedding. Invasions. Threats of nuclear war. The Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight! We used to go into a new year with hope and optimism, but the tone of the conversation over the last while...
Remember to pause, breathe, reflect and repeat. It is time for us all to take a break. The SACBW national office will close on 15 December and will re-open on the 9th of January 2023. Peace be with you all until we meet again. We also share the words of our 2022...
We had our Business Woman of the Year Awards Gala function on 22 October 2022 in Mossel Bay. We are proud to announce that the winner of our Community Warrior Woman Category for 2022 is Sunet Anderson. Sunet, thank you for your determination and love for your...
We are so proud to announce our Business Woman of the Year 2022 Winner - Dinette Snyman Wessels of SACBW Mossel Bay. She is the owner of D Studio in Mossel Bay and has an amazing story of determination, hard work, and inspiration. Dinette Snyman Wessels may you...
Hester was born in Potchefstroom as the eldest of five children and grew up mainly in Bloemfontein. She is a widow (since 2001) and has three children and seven grandchildren. “I studied at the University of the Free State and I am a qualified librarian. I...
By Anja van Beek, Agile Talent Strategist, Leadership & HR Expert and Executive Coach Return-to-work announcements can elicit a range of feelings. You might be happy to see your team members again but concerned about your safety – even though most restrictions...
Article by: Stegmanns Incorporated As we find ourselves in a predominantly technological society, with portable devices and the internet becoming an essential part of our existence like water and oxygen, little to none really knows how to govern its usage in our...
The SACBW is proud to announce Santie Korf Creative Photography as our fourth sponsor for our Business Woman of the Year Competition 2022. Santie Korf is sponsoring a Corporate Headshot Session IN STUDIO valued at R1000! What's included in this amazing prize? 30...
Who is Santie Korf Our Fourth Sponsor in our BWOY 2022 Competition - She is a Photographer & Creative | Entrepreneur | Storyteller | Explorer | Wine Snob | Wife & Mom to a 4-paw girl I CREATE exceptional imagery that you can use to CONNECT with your audience...
Inspire and empower – Dr Ziva takes the lead! There is a joke doing the rounds that to get something done, just give it to the busiest person in the room! This is definitely true of Dr Ziva Spangenberg. Local Business Leader in Mossel Bay. Apart from running one of...
Author: Liezl Groenewald, Senior Manager Organisational Ethics at the Ethics Institute https://www.tei.org.za/ The dramatic fall from grace of companies is not unfamiliar to South Africans. Steinhoff, KPMG, Tongaat Hulett and VBS Bank are just some that immediately...
KNOW (Y)OUR LEADERS: TSHWANE We introduce Cheyna Ross, our local business leader in Tshwane. Cheyna Ross is the founder of She’s Cheyna, which is an event and wedding planning business established in 2017. Their gifting leg, She’s Cheyna Bespoke Gifting, was born...
Are you Protected? Any business with an online presence is exposed to cybercrime – and that means that all of us have to take note of what is happening in cyberspace at the moment. If one day, two articles are released with information about the latest tactics used...
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IS BETTER THAN DELAYED PERFECTION – Mark Twain We had above-average results and I am really happy with the feedback we got on the recent national survey. The responses received indicated an overall confidence level of 90% in the SACBW as...
The SACBW is proud to announce Stegmanns Incorporated as our third sponsor for our Business Woman of the Year Competition 2022. Stegmann's is sponsoring an unbelievable prize to the value of more than R12000! This prize gives you peace of mind that you are, from a...
Who is Stegmanns Incorporated? Established in 1890, Stegmanns Incorporated is a well-respected legal partner which offers expedient legal solutions and superior levels of client service, meeting the dynamic requirements and challenges of South African corporates,...
The SACBW is happy to announce another stunning prize sponsored by BusinessDNA and Dr Amanda Hamilton-Attwell for our 2022 winner of the Business Woman of the Year Award. As our Recognition Awards focus on acknowledging the sometimes difficult journey women have to...
Who is Dr Amanda Hamilton-Attwell? The SACBW is happy to announce another stunning prize sponsored by BusinessDNA and Dr Amanda Hamilton-Attwell for our 2022 winner of the Business Woman of the Year Award. As our Recognition Awards focus on acknowledging the...
FundTech Consulting has been confirmed as a sponsor of this year's Business Woman of the Year Competition. The winner will receive a three-hour strategic alignment consultation to the value of R2550 with Dr Von Below. A FAVOUR TURNS INTO A BUSINESS When Dr Santie...
Who is Dr. Santie von Below? The SACBW is excited to announce that Dr Santie von Below has been confirmed as a sponsor for this years' Business Woman of the Year Competition. Let's have a look at her career and achievements santie@fundtechconsulting.com...
Behind the mask of a “cool, in-control” individual, is often a Millennial going through an early quarter-life crisis.
Are you trying to be who and what others want you to be or are you authentic? Most of us would answer that we are our authentic selves, but there is more to this challenge than we realize. Authenticity is not something that some people have and others do not. It is a...
Businesswomen and executives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. No matter in whatever role we find ourselves, we as women are natural futurists. But we can become better at it. Here are four things to consider to learn how to think like a futurist. Think -...
How can positive thinking benefit your mental wellness? There is not a single person who hasn’t had bad days, hasn’t gone through struggles, or hasn’t faced difficult challenges in their life. To excel in life you, unfortunately, must experience these ups and downs to...
GROWING LEADER EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH TRAIT DEVELOPMENT As a businesswoman, you would know that there are those times calling for the establishment of direction, aligning of people and resources, and motivating and aspiring the team members to search for new...
Leaders don't create Followers I am a 35-year old woman and Director in a law firm that is 132 years old. The field of Law is mostly a male-dominated sphere – however, in our case, we are four female Directors running the show. All four of us have our own leadership...
Order and fun – the secret to making the most of your day When did time start? In Genesis 1, verses 3 to 5, we see the first reference to time when God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from...
Confidence - 5 tips to increase your belief and trust - In Yourself As an entrepreneur, I’m certain that we can all relate to the emotional roller coaster of ups and downs. One day you are so excited that you have started your business. You are on purpose making a...
An Inner Monologue - How to Practice self-care and self-love through positive self-talk Would you talk down to your friends or family like you sometimes talk down to yourself? The answer is likely to be: “No, because I care too much about them, and I don’t want...
In February we are focusing on how to be confident in business. There are various external things that we can do to build our confidence, like making sure the outfit you wear to that all important meeting fits you well and complements your figure. You can...
PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATION – VITAL CAREER SKILLS Your goal is to be the best version of you, but to achieve this you need to constantly grow and develop your career skills. One of the best skills to have, is being able to effectively communicate to ensure that...
Do you believe in love at first sight or are you more of a “grow into love” type? Whichever side you fall on; there is one common denominator… love. Building a brand can sometimes resemble a potential suitor being pursued into a love affair. Whether the suitor knows...
Self Development | Find your voice and be heard A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult – Melinda Gates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzPM3FJyKJ0 At some point all of us have watched a...
Self-care is very topical at the moment. According to Google Trends, the number of searches for “self-care” has more than doubled since 2015. And psychologists have even identified a fourth type of intelligence, name Adversity Quotient (AQ) – the intelligence that...
A new year and new you – keeping to your new year’s resolutions. I hope that you decided that 2022 is going to be YOUR year - a year where you transform your old habits into new ones. And the year where you actually keep your new year’s resolutions! But to achieve...
Start living a life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for mind, body, and soul. We live in a very scary world. Many of us are afraid of ‘what’s to come.’ The uncertain future may seem grim and may cause a downward spiral, increasing negative thoughts and...
Mental detox is vital for your well-being How would you rate your current mental wellness? We all have been challenged over the past two years and have experienced how our mental health (our emotional, psychological, and social well-being) can impact and affect our...
December is time for fun, relaxation, and spending time with loved ones. It is also associated with entertainment, activities, and gifts. Since December is the main school holiday in South Africa people often travel to holiday destinations. Others stay at home and...
Getting to know our Presidential Award Winner 2021/2022 Carol Nake Carol grew up in a small village called Ronaldsey near Hazyview on the way to Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, raised by a single parent with six children, Carol is baby number two. We asked what...
Getting to know our Businesswoman of the Year 2021/2022 Marlene Smuts Marlene grew up in a small town called Christiana on the border of the Free State, Northern Cape, and North West Province. On asking what she wanted to be growing up, Marlene responded “I always...