FEBRUARY 2009-FEBRUARY 2010 REPORT
Prepared by Dezray Naidoo
BWA ZULULAND CHAIRMAN
Presented at the 9th Annual General Meeting
“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude” - OPRAH WINFREY
INTRODUCTION
My role as Chairperson of the organization for the past 3 years, has been an emotional, exciting, busy and a most exhilarating experience. The time has also come for me to ensure that the BWA remains dynamic and fresh in these ever changing times, and as such I will not be serving a 2nd term as Chairperson of the branch. It is an honour to share with you all the highlights and lowlights that our branch experienced this past year, as well as the challenges we still face.
PAST EVENTS SINCE LAST AGM
During the past year we hosted the following major functions:
February 2009
Budget Talk Presentation
Uthungulu District Municipality – Council Chambers
+/- 33 attended
Profit of R905
Presentation by Nedbank chief economist – Nicky Weimer
March 2009
New Member recognition Awards
Spiced Out Restaurant
+/- 37 attended
Profit of R1197
Introduction to new members and networking session.
Supper Club – African Essence Spa
+/- 23 attended
Profit of R520
Informal networking session.
April 2009
Census Debate
Dulce Cafe
Profit of R1970
+/- 29 attended
Unpacking the results of the BWA Annual Census
May 2009
Annual Charity Golf Day
Felixton Country Club
Profit of R8680
+/- 71attended
Opportunity for businesses to create awareness of
CellC
Richards Bay Hoer Skool
Sponsored event
+/- 112 attended
Fun filled session with various female
themselves and charities.
Leaders.
Supper Club
Canefields Country Guest House
Profit of R292
+/- 17 attended
Informal networking session
June 2009
Regional Business Achiever Awards
Profit of R49 582.25
Kingfisher Hall, ZCBF Grounds
Prominent event on the Zululand calendar with Guest speaker Basetsana Kumalo, and MC Dumi Kunene
+/- 350 attended
July 2009
Mentorship for business: Business & marketing plans
Empangeni Protea Hotel
Profit of R455
+/- 26 attended
Presentations on how to improve business and marketing plans.
Supper Club – wine tasting
Lighties Pub
Profit of R1 520
+/- 24 attended
Informal networking session.
August 2009
Mentorship for business: Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment
Nashua Zululand
Profit of R130
+/- 15 attended
Information session on BBBEE
Women in Business seminar
Amble Inn Guest House
Profit of R8 490
+/- 66 attended
Celebratory event to commemorate Women’s
month
September 2009
Spring Membership Awards
Tusk Umfolozi Casino
Profit of R1553.17
+/- 39 attended
Members awarded certificates and an exciting session
Mentorship for business: Marketing
Fleur de Lis guest House
Profit of R195
+/- 16 attended
Presentation on marketing skills
with guest speaker, comedian-Krijay Govender
Supper Club – Survivor
Naval Island
Profit of R180
+/- 10 attended
Informal networking session
October 2009
BWOYA Road show
Primi Cargo
Profit of R12 045
+/- 80guests
Inspirational evening with BWOYA winner Venete Klein
Cuppa for Cansa
Aboyne House, Zenith Estates Nseleni
Sponsored event – money given to Cansa
+/- 16 attended
November 2009
Year End – networking on the dance floor
Tusk Umfolozi Casino
Profit of R2435
+/- 42 attended
Ending the year off in style-with a fashion
16 Days of activism against women and child abuse
A street March and handing of a memorandum to the Mayor of Umhlatuze Municipality
+/- 35 attended
Event in support of the National Campaign show
Christmas Supper Club
Maritino’s Restaurant
Profit of R860
+/- 32 attended
Informal networking session
February 2010
Budget Talk Presentation
Profit of R1610
+/- 43 attended
Presentation of the budget speech by Nedbank chief economist Nicky Weimer
The global economic meltdown most certainly had a direct impact on attendance at events, but in true BWA spirit the branch was able to generate a profit at almost all the events held during the year.
Buzz Hours and Informal Networking
These popular networking sessions continued throughout the year. Members were given the opportunity to freely market themselves, by making exciting presentations. The sessions held in 2009 were very focus based and this change ensured diversity in the audience at the buzz hours.
The buzz hours are still active in Mtunzini, Eshowe, Esikhaleni and Mtubatuba, though more commitment is needed from members wanting to grow the BWA in these regions.
The Book Club and Supper club sessions gained popularity over the past year, with the supper club emerging as an ideal opportunity for both members and non-members to network in a most relaxing environment.
Regional Business Achiever Awards
Once again, this function was exceptionally well attended. The judges were overwhelmed with the calibre of finalists and expressed how difficult it was to choose the final winners. The 2009 RBAA winners were: Junety Sebothoma, Cheryl Reddy, Pamela Govendar and Bernadine Sweetman. I am proud to report that these winners have certainly elevated the status of the BWA by playing an active role in the BWA.
My task as Chairperson would have not been as exciting and invigorating an experience without the commitment and loyalty of my fellow committee members. I have to specifically mention my Vice Chairperson-Juanita Woodhouse, Monica Naidoo and Sonja Baumann for their commitment and hard work in ensuring that the BWA continued to inspire and empower women in our region, despite the challenges faced at committee level. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank our local corporates as well as the Zululand media for their continued support. They have all truly contributed to the growth and transformation of the branch.
FUTURE EVENTS
The Branch has an exciting calendar for the year 2010 and we look forward to an inspirational and successful year. The planned functions are as follows:
April
6 Rbay Buzz Hour
10 Annual Charity Golf Day
14 Empangeni Buzz Hour
20 Esikhaleni Buzz Hour
21 Book Club
29 Mtubatuba Buzz Hour
May
4 Rbay Buzz Hour
6 RBAA
12 Empangeni Buzz Hour
20 Eshowe Buzz Hour
20 Supper Club
25 Mtunzini Buzz Hour
June
1 Rbay Buzz Hour
9 Empangeni Buzz Hour
15 Esikhaleni Buzz Hour
16 Book Club
24 Mtubatuba Buzz Hour
July
6 Rbay Buzz Hour
14 Empangeni Buzz Hour
22 Eshowe Buzz Hour
27 Mtunzini Buzz Hour
29 Supper Club
August
3 Rbay Buzz Hour
11 Empangeni Buzz Hour
17 Esikhaleni Buzz Hour
18 Book Club
26 Mtubatuba Buzz Hour
28 Women in Business Seminar
September
7 Rbay Buzz Hour
15 Empangeni Buzz Hour
23 Eshowe Buzz Hour
23 Supper Club and Membership Awards
28 Mtunzini Buzz Hour
October
5 Rbay Buzz Hour
13 Empangeni Buzz Hour
19 Esikhaleni Buzz Hour
20 Book Club
25 Supper Club / End Year Function
BWOYA Roadshow
November
2 Rbay Buzz Hour
10 Empangeni Buzz Hour
18 Eshowe Buzz Hour
23 Mtunzini Buzz Hour
28 Mtubatuba Buzz Hour
December
7 Sponsor Forum Rbay Buzz Hour
To our members who have supported the BWA with their regular attendance at functions, we thank you. We look forward to your continued support.
COMMITTEE
Thank you to all members that served on the committee in 2009. For some, it was a very short stay, while others found it difficult contributing due to their work commitments, but the efforts of each and every member that freely gave of their time have kept the BWA vibrant and relevant.
The 2009 committee members were:
Dezray Naidoo stepping down
Chantal McNally resigned
Sonia Baumann remaining
Vee Moodley resigned
Tanya Reddy resigned
Natasha Singh resigned
Simphiwe Zwane resigned
Pinky Thabede resigned
Karen Sclanders resigned
Ingrid Osborne resigned
Rekha Naidoo resigned
Nqobile Xulu resigned
Juanita Woodhouse remaining
Monica Naidoo remaining
Junety Sebothoma co-opted remaining
Valerie Jacobs co-opted remaining
Makhosi Mthiyane co-opted remaining
Marlene Goodman co-opted remaining
To the outgoing committee members(seems I am talking to just myself here), thank you for your time, dedication and commitment to continue to grow women in business.
My gratitude to Nedbank for their ongoing support.
MEMBERSHIP
The committee has held numerous and very difficult sessions in an attempt to resolve the membership challenge that is a constant each year. The current membership status is 157, of which 126 are paid up members, and 31 are unpaid.
I am certain that the incoming leadership of the BWA will continue to ensure that transformation and retention of membership within the organization is continuous.
BURSARY AWARD
A bursary award was available from proceeds of the National Businesswomen of the Year Awards Dinner. The 2009, bursary winner was Diana Retselisitsoe Ntobaki. We were also fortunate to award second bursary which was sponsored by Boston College. This bursary was awarded to Pretty Mazibuko. Our search for a worthy recipient for 2010, is currently on hold due to lack of sponsorships received this year. We welcome your sponsorships towards this worthy cause.
FINANCES
The December 2009 annual financials have not as yet been finalized by our auditors, but the Zululand Branch is in a financially healthy position. The bank balance as at 9 March 2010 was R107 526.88.
IN CLOSING
On a personal note, my dreams and vision for a truly representative Zululand branch of the BWA have been realized, which allows me to gracefully step aside and hand over the baton to fresh and innovative leadership to now take the BWA forward in a positive direction.
As I step down, I wish the incoming leadership the wisdom to govern the branch towards shaping the path of the many businesswomen of tomorrow that look up to us in Zululand. May you continue to shine your lights on those many young women that consider you all their role models.
To our dedicated co-ordinator: Sherry, thank you for personalizing the BWA and making it your own goal to empower and inspire women. It has been a busy and stressful year, for us both, but you continued to be a ROCK. I wish you well in all your endeavours and urge you to remain as committed and empowered as you are.
Allow me to end with the simple words of Oprah Winfrey, when she delivered a speech at the memorial service of Rosa Parks- “I will not be moved”
BWA Zululand-I wish you many years of strength and persistence to ensure a better life for all.
Regards
DEZRAY NAIDOO
CHAIRPERSON - ZULULAND