Past Events 03

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

December 2003
Gracias, East London Beachfront

Review by Raylene Nicholson, DHL International

www.dhl.com

Having recently joined the BWA, this was my first Xmas function with this group of incredibly dynamic and highly energetic ladies. Needless to say, I was most impressed in all respects.

The venue (Gracias) was stunning, with a tranquil view of the sea and prompt service by waitrons. The guest speaker, Shani Grove was quite entertaining on her topic of love, and had a few pointers for those in love and for those wanting to be in love (or not!). The atmosphere was very relaxed as I think most guests were winding down into holiday mode, looking forward to relaxing after a rather trying year.

Last but by no means least, the meal! What a delicious start to an absolutely sinful "silly season". Christmas presents were collected and will be given to the street children of East London, as well as business suits for post graduates. A big thank you to all those involved in the organising of our lunch. I am proud to be a part of such a professional organisation. I look forward to a fabulous 2004.

Business suits collected at the Christmas Lunch

Thanks to the generosity of the businesswomen of East London, a large number of business suits were donated, to be distributed to students who experience financial difficulty.

As we all know, when going for a job interview, the presentation of a person carries a great deal of weight. Most employers are not always conscious of the fact that they judge applicants on their appearance before the interview actually commences. Many young people are immediately disadvantaged as they cannot afford the corporate outfit to help them secure the position.

With the help of the BWA, many young women will now be equipped with a suitable outfit to help them 'ace' that interview.

MSC College has used this as an incentive so students who have achieved good results and require assistance have the opportunity of receiving a business suit.

To date, a few suits have been handed out but the majority will be presented at the graduation ceremony.

A very big thank you must go out to those who generously donated suits - many of them with designer labels. They are greatly appreciated by the students.

Carol Taggart
MSC College
www.msccollege.co.za

RADIO ALGOA FM BANQUET

Peter Martin

A fundraising function hosted by the Businesswomen's Association here on Wednesday, 29 October 2003 night brought home to many dangers of breast cancer in women. The function was well attended with 230 guests and it was in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The guest speakers were oncologist Sue Hewitt, sportsman Dave Callaghan and Marie Leach, a roadrunner. Sue Hewitt graphically illustrated how cancer cells are formed and described methods of detection and treatment. The audience saw slides of a number of patients who had had mastectomies. Not for the squeamish so soon after dinner, but nevertheless, a real eye-opener for the layman.

Pictures: Both Dave Callaghan

Both Callaghan, who played cricket and rugby for Eastern Province, and Leach, shared, with the empathetic audience, the trials they went through with cancer. Both were fortunate to have the loving support of family and friends to see them through their worst moments as they fought towards recovery. So much so that Callaghan was able to force his way into the South African limited-overs squad in 1992, scarcely a year after contracting cancer, while Leach was able to run ultra-marathons.

Marie Leach share her innermost feelings, saying she realised that it was only her faith in God that would help her through the crisis, and there were noticeably tears shed in sympathy among the audience. "For me the "Big C" in my life is Christ." Marie said. Emcee Darron Mann was on hand to auction some interesting lots, including a painting of fast bowler Garth le Roux in action, by sports artist Rupert Hanley.

EVIDENCE OF GLOBAL RECOVERY FLIMSY

Expert - Nicky Weimar

Article by Eddie Botha

Business Editor of Daily Dispatch

Evidence of a global economic recovery, on which South Africa depends, is still flimsy, says Nedbank economist Nicky Weimar. Weimar, who addressed the Businesswomen's Association here, said there had been little improvement in industrial production in the United States and the United Kingdom, and Japan still depended on what happened in the US. "And the European Union is still positively ill," she added.

Weimar said despite low interest rate levels there were factors which held back economic growth. These were not cyclical factors but rather structural problems, she said. "There is no easy fix to structural problems." Weimar said among these was the fiscal deficits and rigid labour markets in Europe and the financial sectors and demographics of Japan. Japanese consumers also did not want to spend, she said. In the US there was corporate and individual debt, the over inflated asset markets, uncertain job markets and the worsening of the current account deficit. Weimar said with the new outflow of funds from the US, its only option was to let the dollar depreciate further. "The current estimates are that for the US to bring the deficit back to three percent of GDP it will have to let the dollar depreciate by 40 percent." She said a weak American dollar was not a crisis for the US. "But it is a crisis for the rest of the world which exports to the US," she added.

The likely outcome was slow growth in 2004 or strong growth in 2004, which would weaken in 2005. "We however think it would be the first scenario." Weimar said the strengthening rand was being assisted by the weakening dollar. The dollar might weaken by a further 10percent but countries like Japan would fight against this. She said there was strong support of the South African currency and it could stay below the R7 to the dollar level. The good news for South Africa was that domestic spending remained strong.

Weimar said she expected another cut in interest rates next week when the Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank met. Next year rates would be steady with a likely increase in 2005 again. "If the rand, however, rallies again, we could see another cut and this will see growth and domestic spending grow further," she added.

Businesswoman of the Year Awards Ceremony

28 August 2003

Gallagher Estate, Johannesburg

East London members were there!

Pat Norris, Patti Graham, Tracy Dutton, Colleen Martin & Mary Wrench

WOMEN'S DAY

8 August 2003

Ernst's Chalet Suisse

This function was attended by over 200 ladies including 2 gentlemen. Thanks to you all for your support. I would like to make special mention to the following sponsors, Amarula Cream, Aspen Pharmacare, Candy tops, Creative Publishing, Fairlady Magazine, Johnson & Johnson, Nedbank, PG Glass, Radio Algoa and SA National Blood Service. Wendy Luhabe was our guest speaker, she was born and grew up in South Africa in the old Benoni Location.

She is the Chairman of Vodacom, Industrial Development Corporation, Alliance Capital, Women's Private Equity fund 1, Vendome Distributors (Pty) Ltd SA and a director of Cycad Fund Managers. Wendy is the author of "Defining Moments."

Below is a copy of Wendy's speech. Thank you, Wendy.

HOW WOMEN'S ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS

By Wendy Luhabe

I remember when I grew up that most of our mothers did not have a voice, were less educated, were brought up to get married in order to be secure in their future, were expected to have children, did not work and accepted without question the role that society had given them. Women were expected to look after everyone else except themselves, at a great cost to their emotional wellbeing. This is why our mothers aged so quickly and had a sad look on their faces. They had gone through life supporting others when there was very little support for their wellbeing. There were treated almost as though they were a liability to society.

In the 70's women began to get university education and ventured beyond the traditional professions of social work, teaching and nursing. They began to think for themselves and our view of what is possible also expanded as TV arrived in South Africa, although most of us couldn't afford it.

In the 80's women qualified in medicine, law, commerce, science, journalism, engineering, finance making them the first generation to break out of the mould. They qualified with MBA, went for further studies and began to make in-roads into the corporate landscape of South Africa. Women learnt how to drive and bought cars even though they made us fail at least three times. We opened bank accounts and had chequebooks for the first time. More importantly although some women did get married, it was not a top priority. Women became visible. This is the decade when women planted the seeds to reclaim their personal power although we remained unimportant in the scheme of things. We did not have much influence.

In the 90's women became entrepreneurs and moved out of home, we bought our own homes and began to question many oppressive patterns of behaviour by society and the stereotypes that constrain us to the lower rungs of management. We appeared on company boards, in leadership positions, maintained our identity through double barrel surnames when we get married. The major breakthrough was when a large number of women became ministers in government and not just in insignificant portfolios but in strategic areas like telecommunication, mining and energy, trade and industry. The more women found their voices issues like domestic violence escalated as we became more independent and self sufficient. Thirty years is extremely short in history and when you look at the strides we have made as South African women we can be proud of ourselves. As we acknowledge and celebrate our achievements we have to pause and examine whether we could become more meaningful catalysts for change.

To do this I want us to ask ourselves some questions:

Have we become better mothers? In other words, have we brought up our girl and boy children to respect the value system of gender equality, to value themselves and women as equal citizens in particular?
Have we influenced and shaped the events in our society? Is the impact of our voices changing our circumstances?
Have we become better partners with our significant others?
Have we invested time to attend to our needs to nurture ourselves, to become more resilient, confident and daring?
Have we nurtured and mentored other women by sharing our experiences and inspiring them to rise to the challenges and the opportunities of our time?
Does our presence in the world make a difference or are we simply passengers and observers as life passes us by?
Have we taught our children to grow up with courage and to re-claim their personal power? To tap into their potential to be extra-ordinary?

The gift of the 21st century is that we have a voice, experience, intellect, prospects, opportunities and we have choices. To be successful we must approach life without fear or apology. Ultimately it is how we use everything we have that will advance the position of women in society. We must understand our strengths and qualities and learn to optimise them and grow them continuously whilst we learn to overcome our shortcomings. The secret of success is not to allow ourselves to be influenced negatively by others, when we do we give our power away.

There are many self help books available. We should read books that help us to grow emotionally and spiritually, engage in conversations and company that stimulates us and stretch our thinking, we should choose partners who treat us like a Goddess because we are and deserve to be treated like royalty. Our greatest power lies in self respect and personal integrity. We cannot be powerful when we are deceitful or envy others or hold negative thoughts because we create the world we want for ourselves with our thoughts. Every morning when I wake up I thank God for a beautiful day and ask for a blessing and a miracle. You should begin to do that.

I hope we understand the power we have and the responsibility we have for the future and the beauty we bring to the world. All are within our reach, all we need to do is to re-claim them. When we become aware of our positive qualities and what we can contribute to others, we are able to be powerful.

In Conclusion

To succeed in anything we do, a relationship, a business or career we must have a healthy and positive self esteem, we must take responsibility for our growth and development, we must set high standards for ourselves, we must surround ourselves with people who value us enough to criticise us because they care enough about our success, we must follow our dreams and we must be daring, we must develop a relationship with failure and uncertainty and we must honour ourselves. We must accept no limitations to our human potential because God's purpose is for us to blossom beyond our wildest dreams - what stands in the way is our fear - our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure according to Marianne Williamson, one of my favourite authors.

Ultimately, the experience of our life is a reflection of our attitude and it is our attitude that determines how far we go in life, how high we soar. Whether we accept it or not there is a link between our inner awareness, vision and action in the world.

REGIONAL ACHIEVERS' AWARD

25 July 2003

Ernst's Chalet Suisse

This award has three categories: entrepreneur, professional and start-up. It recognises the exemplary calibre of self-employed and professional SA businesswoman at a regional level. This event is sponsored by Nedbank, and nominees are nominated by their peers and the business community, for their valuable contribution to the economy. This award is assessed in terms of the following criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, marketing flair, innovation, turnover, profit, employment creation, and the development of employee skills. A nominee must own 51% or more of the shares of their business or professional practice and conduct business in the region where they are nominated.

East London received over 20 nominations and the judges had a very tough task to choose 7 finalists. The finalists were:

Tracy Dutton of Tracy Dutton Architects & Interior
Pat Norris of Sisters
Jill Fish of Jill Fish Properties
Maretha Bergh of The Health and Skin Care Clinic
Debi Godwin of Independent Executor and Trust
Colleen Martin of Kumon Masterminds
Donna-Mae Peenz of Blue Ribbon Hispitality and Cookery School.

The winners are: Tracy Dutton, Colleen Martin and Pat Norris.

Below are the winners with our Guest Speaker Dr Namane Magau:

At the same Regional Achievers Banquet, is Pat McCarlie, Nedbank Champion, Rob Bonnette, Nedbank Area Manager, Business Banking, Border and Patti Graham past Chairlady of East London BWA (pictured below):

A very big thank you to our following sponsors: Nedbank, PG Glass, Creative Public Relations.

BWA EAST LONDON BURSARIES

31 May 2003

Keg & Beacon

Luncheon

Dreams of finishing their studies came true for two third-year information technology students on May 31st 2003 when they were awarded study bursaries. Nandipha Mnukwa and Nolundi Krwala each received R 5225.00 from the Businesswomen's Association (BWA).

Nandipha is a student at Butterworth Eastern Cape Technikon and Nolundi is a student at Rhodes University East London. BWA Committee Member, Noeleen Barry, liaised with local universities and technikons and, as a result of the selection process, decided to award the bursary to the two students. BWA will mentor the two students and ensure they receive practical experience. Nandipha would like to grow into a businesswoman and be able to give back one day. She has been trying hard and has learnt that if one tries hard to get a bursary, one gets it.

Nolundi says "Do what you love, have a vision and nothing will stop you." She hopes to be a businesswoman in the near future.

Nolundi Krwala

Rhodes University - East London

Nandipha Mnukwa

Butterworth Eastern Cape Technikon

Kim McFarland

At a luncheon in East London, current Businesswomen?s Association, Business Woman of the Year Kim McFarland visited East London recently to talk on women and work. Kim, a Chartered accountant, is chief operating officer of Investec Asset Management, a company she has helped grow from a staff of 14 in 1993 to over 850 now. The company?s assets have showed similar growth. With home currently in London and her office in Cape Town, Kim commutes between the two weekly and welcomes her ability to turn over and go to sleep on her regular intercontinental flights.

Kim says her achievements have not been the result of plotting a course to the top. Kim?s work involves co-ordination, communication and ensuring that her division complies with the slew of regulatory statutes. One of the most valuable lessons Kim learnt along the way is to delegate. Kim returned to work two weeks after her first son was born. Kim started travelling for work when he was two months old. She also says that the adrenalin of an exciting career does become addictive but sometimes it does seem like a treadmill.

Getting Down to Breakfast

Recently, 54 members and non-members attended a networking breakfast at Ernst?s Chalet Suisse, where we did a lucky business card draw. Marian Galloway from Institute for Timber Construction Limited, name was drawn and she spoke about her company. Marian is a roof inspector where she climbs ladders etc.

The nominees for the Regional Achievers Award gave a short introduction on themselves. Our chairlady, Patti, gave a brief talk on the reasons for becoming a member of BWA.