Past Events 04
End of Year Function
30 November 2004
East London Golf Club
East London BWA ended off the year with a very colourful and entertaining fashion show. The models and music were from Miz Models and the clothes were supplied by Sisters. A very big thank you must go to Melanie and Pat.
Mary Wrench, the BWA Chairlady, launched the 2005 Regional Business Achievers Awards and thanked all of the members for their loyal support during 2004.
The End of Year Function was held at the East London Golf Club where 100 ladies attended and a very tasty buffet lunch was served. The atmosphere was very warm, with everyone wishing each other success for the year 2005.
Apart from all the jubilations, unwanted business suits were collected and will be handed to post graduates for their first job interviews. Plenty of toys and a cash donation were handed over to Lynn Snook of The Promised Land. Lynn could not thank the members enough for their contributions which she will hand over to the children of Frere and Cecelia Makiwane Hospitals. Keep up the good work, Lynn.
DG motivates East London Businesswomen
11 November 2004
East London Golf Club
Lynette Lucas, Intengu Communications
Newly appointed Director General in the Eastern Cape Provincial Administration, Dr. Sibongile Muthwa, inspired prominent members in the business community during a Businesswomen's Association (BWA) breakfast at the East London Golf Club.
Describing herself as a servant of the people, Dr Muthwa placed emphasis on the importance of collaboration amongst women in business to assist each other in reaching success. She paid tribute to the unsung heroes who have contributed to her development as an individual and a career woman.Â
Muthwa drew on her own experience to find resonance with other women leaders gathered at the function with regard to the constant struggle which women encounter in the business world - not only for equality, but also to stay true to themselves. "Self affirmation is very important if we are to tap into our strength as women," she said. Describing life at the top as "isolating and lonely", she encouraged women to support each other and seize every opportunity to collaborate with each other.
She highlighted the important role that women could play in uplifting those in the countries 'second economy' to eradicate poverty. "We cannot celebrate our own successes when we have not used our opportunities to make a better life for all women," she said.
Mutwa also encouraged women in other sectors to join hands with government during the upcoming 16 Days of Activism on Violence against Women and Children Campaign.
New Members Cocktail Party
17 June 2004
Quartet, Chamberlain Road
Jill Fish, Jill Fish Properties
On behalf of the BWA I would like to sincerely thank Jean Scott and Robyn Coutts for opening their beautiful shop and supplying the drinks for the committee and new members.
Quartet is a lovely gift and art shop where one can buy anything from a cork screw to beautiful persian rugs. The kitchen wall clocks attracted Pat McCarlie's attention. Pat Norris has her eye on the lovely persian rug. You do not have to have a loaded wallet to shop at Quartet. If you are wanting to purchase a gift, whether big or small I am sure Jean or Robyn will be able to help you.
The new members that were able to attend were Wendy Sims of Agnor Plumbing, Sandy Schwedhelm of Rencon Properties, Buyiswa Pasiya of Berea BP Garage, Melanie Bruyn of Miz Models, Ndumi Gwayi of Mojo Travel and Stuff. We encourage you to support these ladies and their businesses.
Pre-election Panel Discussion
1 April 2004
Eddie Botha, Business Editor
Both the ruling ANC and the opposition DA sent in big guns to address a meeting of the local Businesswomen's Association here. Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks and DAMP Raenette Taljaard were among the representatives of seven parties who answered questions after initial introductory remarks.
PAC provincial deputy chairperson Luthando Mbinda said under the privatisation policies of the ruling party, women have continued to suffer poverty and job losses. Mbinda called on the banking sector to assist with the creation of wealth and to aid small businesses and black economical empowerment, which he said had failed in the equitable distribution of wealth.
The ACDP's Ben Niehaus said the ANC was interfering with the free market economy, which resulted in poverty and unemployment and the lowering of educational standards. Niehaus said the ruling party still discriminated against women.Â
The NNP's Willem Kruger said under the direction of his party the ANC had opened the economy and set the foundation for everyone, including women, to participate in all sectors of the economy.Â
Taljaard said her party propagated a savings and investment strategy with tax incentives for women. She described regulations governing business as a paper malaise and said the corporate tax rates made business uncompetitive.Â
The Independent Democratic's Fred Darkes said his party's leader, Patricia de Lille, provided strong leadership with her brutal honesty over the protection and respect of women. The ID would establish a programme to protect the interests of women. "We don't believe in two separate economies."
Hendricks said under her party's leadership the number of women in representative positions, including local authorities, national departments and the cabinet, had increased. She said the outcome of the implementation of the ANC's policies was for all to see. The quality of life for women, including coloured, Indian and white women, had improved.
Mind over Money
30 March 2004
East London Health Resource Centre
Sue Goldswain, Quarry Lake Inn
Graeme Codrington's talk was certainly transformational as well entertaining and informative .Â
I found it to be a really worthwhile evening, being both thought provoking and a lot of fun. It was great chatting to everyone afterwards, while enjoying really excellent snacks at the East London Health Resource Centre. Thank you to BWA for organising this event!
Graeme Codrington, Pat McCarlie (Nedbank), Rob Bonnett (Nedbank) & Mary Wrench (BWA Chairlady).
Mohair and Cabaret Show
10 March 2004
Guild Theatre
Khuthala Nandipha of Daily Dispatch
Port Elizabeth designer Anton Randall made even fashion guru Pierre Cardin pause for thought with his beautiful mohair creations. He brought the collection to East London this week and Khuthala Nandipha was there to marvel at it.Â
I may not be a fashion guru, but I know style, and mohair and mink coats do not feature on my shopping list. That was before I was seduced and dazzled by Port Elizabeth designer Anton Randall's Mohair collection at the Guild Theatre on Wednesday evening. The show, brought to East London by the Businesswomen's Association, was an exact replica of a collection fresh off the catwalks of Paris and Holland.Â
Randall and his models had just returned from Europe where they strutted for fashion pioneers like Monsieur Pierre Cardin.Â
Not to be categorised and restricted to jerseys, scarves and blankets, the desinger re-defines mohair. Paired with amazingly retro details, the mohair garments were super stylish and yet vintage with influences of Xhosa to Ndebele. Modern imibhaco, beads, unconventional accessories - a cut between Transkei and Paris.
The designer extraordinare and his models gave us a sneak preview into winter with a touch of elegance, sexiness and sophistication.
The music for the show was strictly South African, making for a comfortable atmosphere. I quite liked his straight-cut mohair coats with sexy patchwork and styled numbers underneath - a definite contradiction. When models like South African rugby captain Nomsebenzi stripped their coats off, they let us into a whole new season and a whole new take on those 60s inspired checks, and 90s style glamour and grace.Â
Randall's formal collection was an absolute cross between essential office suits and straight elegance. As young as I feel, I bought into the whole era of glamour and grace. Maybe it was the seduction of delicate lace. Randall went all out on the Explosion of Colour section with in-your-face loud, yet somehow muted colours.Â
With gowns suitable for balmy evenings, he even experimented with what looked like metal - absolute danger and dynamism. Details were an integral part of his collection, hence the stunning ostrich egg handbags, trendy accessories and over-the-top head gear.Â
Randall, like most designers, remained rather modest and humbled by the applause and praise. "I create some of the fabrics, but some are imported from England and Germany. The mohair is mostly from Port Elizabeth."Â
Accessories such as the ostrich egg handbags were purchased while he was in Paris. As the exquisite MC Michelle Brown said, a show is not a show without bridal wear. There was nothing innocent about the flirty and cheeky collection. With minimum and yet sexy patchwork and embroidery for the tops, Randall put together stunning two pieces and sometimes four-piece gowns. They had African charm and yet a wild and naughty element. If you are planning on getting married I suggest you buy one of these gowns and forget the engagement ring.
The proud organisers of the show had an endless list of adjectives when the night was over. "It was awesome, I felt so proud that our organisation was part of this," said Mary Wrench, Chairperson of the East London Businesswomen's Association. "I had high expectations because they just came back from Paris, and they were exceeded."Â
Welcoming of New Members Cocktail Party
4th March 2004
Sisters
The committee has agreed to have a welcoming cocktail party every quarter to welcome all new members to the Businesswomen's Association. This month it was held at Sisters and we had a good turn out of new members. Thank you Pat for opening your shop to us as well as organising the snacks and drinks.
Standing left to right: Rotendu, Penny, Alison, Megan, Denise, Samantha
Sitting left to right: Robyn, Pat, Carol, Mary, Di, Wendy
NETWORKING BREAKFAST
10 February 2004
Review by Sue Morrell, www.ufhel.ac.zaÂ
University of Fort Hare Comes to East London
Dr Christine Thomen, researcher in the Teaching and Learning Centre at the University of Fort Hare, East London was guest speaker at the Businesswomen's Association (BWA) breakfast on the 10th February at Blends Coffee shop.
BWA Guest speaker, Dr Christine Thomen (right) is pictured with BWA East London committee members (left to right) Mary Wrench (Chairlady), Pat Norris (Sisters) and Di Oatley (coordinator).
Her topic "Change and Opportunities: Our children's futures and the University of Fort Hare" discussed University of Fort Hare plans for future expansion into East London and the potential business and property partnerships that could result.
"The East London campus offers University of Fort Hare a foothold in a vibrant and growing urban environment, with a wide range of educational, medical, recreational and social services, and we need to develop strong local partnerships to build the role of the University of Fort Hare in the regional economy and encourage local individuals and families to enroll for undergraduate and post-graduate studies here," she said.Â
She said there had been concerns that standards were going to drop but as the staff component and courses previously offered on the East London Campus of Rhodes University were still being offered under the University of Fort Hare banner this was unlikely and if anything standards were going to be raised as University of Fort Hare was committed to building on achievements already achieved.Â
"In the past student debt has been a problem but since 1999 the University of Fort Hare Vice-Chancellor, Professor Derrick Swartz and his executive management team have played a significant role in turning this 'around'," she said.Â
She concluded by saying the educational landscape had not only changed but also offered great opportunities for everyone. She encouraged the audience to support this University of Fort Hare initiative in order to build a vibrant, sustainable University, "not only for our children but also for the benefit of your businesses."