< Back Susan Abro Attorney and Sole Proprietor, Susan Abro Attorney Susan Abro is a seasoned attorney with a career spanning over 35 years. In 1995, she founded her own legal practice, Susan Abro Attorney, specialising in family law. Reflecting on the evolution of her field, Susan said, “It’s been a very interesting progression. For example, we only joined the Hague Convention on the Abduction of Children in 1994. Family law changes quickly because of issues such as surrogacy and same-sex marriage. As life and science change, so family law has to change.” Her work covers a range of matters. “Basically, I deal with issues from cradle to grave,” she said. “I do a lot of divorce work, but that includes financial issues and children, that’s my passion – looking after children. I’ve also been involved in protecting women from domestic violence and assisting them to protect themselves.” Susan’s leadership has earned her international recognition as a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and a former committee member of the International Bar Association (IBA). FINDING HER PATH Susan grew up on a farm, where she learned to respect everyone. She commented, “These are values that have stayed with me my whole life.” When asked how she chose family law, she smiled. “It sort of chose me.” She began her career at a large Durban firm, completing her articles in an all-male environment. “It was a wonderful experience because I had incredible training, but they were merging with another firm that didn’t want any women.” After completing her articles, she joined Woodhead, Bigby and Irving, one of Durban’s top firms. “I became a partner in my first year there,” she recalled. “But I’m very independent and realised I wouldn’t fit into the huge corporate world.” Five years later she opened her own practice. “I left on very good terms,” she said. “Then I got involved with the Advice Desk for Abused Women and the rest flowed from there.” Her work with the Open Door Crisis Centre, KZN Women in Business, the Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN), Afrika Tikkun and the Robin Hood Foundation reflects her deep belief in promoting gender equality and supporting vulnerable women and children. Running her own practice proved liberating. “I’m the one who sets my own fee targets,” she said. “I can do pro bono work whenever I want to. You set your own rules.” Her ambitions have evolved. “My biggest dream changes all the time,” she admitted. “I started off wanting to be a partner in a big practice. Then I opened my own firm. Thirty years later, I’m still here. My reality is to help people. That’s what I’m about.” Throughout her career, Susan has been inspired by remarkable women. “Judge Navi Pillay was one of my great inspirations,” she said. “She became one of the first judges of the International Criminal Court and later head of the UN Human Rights Council. I travelled with her to Germany for the launch of the Human Rights Prosecutor School.” She also mentioned mentors such as the late Professor Anshu Padayachee, Pat Moodley from the Department of Justice, current Judge President Toba and businesswoman Cindy Norcott. IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS Over the years, Susan has made significant contributions professionally and within her community. She has served as president of the Jewish community, co-chairperson of the Law Society of South Africa, and first woman vice president of the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society. Her leadership extends beyond law. She has been a council member of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chair of the Durban Chapter of the Business Women’s Association of South Africa (BWASA), championing women’s advancement in business and leadership. Among her proudest achievements is serving as an acting judge of the High Court in Durban. “It gives you the view from the other side of the bench,” she said, “but I like working with people, so it wasn’t something I wanted to do permanently. Her firm was named South African Boutique Family Law Firm of the Year (2017) by Corporate Global International Awards, and she was honoured as Professional Businesswoman of the Year by BWASA. In 2024, she was a finalist in the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards, recognition that highlights her influence and integrity within both professional and community spheres. She has also received recognition from her alma mater, St Anne’s.A significant challenge came in 2009 when she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. “I only have peripheral vision now,” she said. “I stopped driving in 2016. Thank goodness for Uber and my wonderful staff.” Susan approaches her condition with courage and humour. “Losing your vision is difficult, but it’s something you can overcome,” she said. “I’m lucky because I have my own business. In a big corporate, you might not find the same understanding.”Susan’s advice to young professionals is heartfelt. “If your passion is law, find what your passion is within law. Don’t be put in a box. Find mentors and ask them for help – you’d be surprised how many people are happy to give advice. And never burn your bridges.” She also encourages women to network. “Find women’s organisations. Women network differently from men – with empathy and a desire to help each other.” LOOKING AHEAD Susan’s family has a legacy of long and fulfilling lives. “My mother and grandmother both worked until they were 86,” she laughed. “I can tell you right now, I’m not going to work till I’m 86.” Retirement, however, is not imminent. “I love what I’m doing, but I do want to travel more and do more NGO work. My goal is to see a few clients a month and spend the rest of my time helping others.” To maintain balance, Susan prioritises health and relationships. “People tell you to manage your stress – good luck with that,” she joked. “I have a personal trainer who comes to my office, and I exercise with my staff. Friends are the family you choose, and my family is very close-knit.” She is also a member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international gastronomic society. “It’s an organisation for the enjoyment of the table,” she said. “We do a lot of good eating and drinking. I’ve always had an interest in wine – that’s my idea of fun.” Previous Next

< Back Emily Elliot Chief Executive Officer, Imperial Armour Emily Elliott is chief executive officer of Imperial Armour, a globally recognised manufacturer of high-performance body armour serving both local and international markets. This year marks the company’s twenty-fifth anniversary, a milestone that reflects dedication and resilience. At just twenty-nine years old, Emily’s journey has been one intertwined with family legacy and personal conviction. “When I was about seven years old, I would ask my mum, whose life did you save today? she recalls with a smile. “That’s where my love for the business and the industry began.”The family’s roots in defence stretch even further back, as Emily explains: “Defence is in my blood. It’s carried through from my grandfather, through to my mum, to me. It has always been there.” Although Emily officially joined the company a decade ago, her path to leadership was carefully considered. After completing schooling, she pursued a business diploma and experimented with several ventures of her own, including a clothing line for mothers and daughters. “It’s quite ironic since I have two boys now,” she laughs. Her time working and travelling in Asia gave her valuable perspective, but she always knew where her heart lay. “I ended up coming back to Imperial Armour, realising that this is where I could make a difference.” The leadership transition has been, in her words, “a very steady process over the past five years,” culminating in her formal appointment as CEO. “Just seeing the documents finalised felt like the completion of something that had been in motion for a long time.” CULTURE, QUALITY AND INNOVATION As CEO, Emily has placed company culture at the forefront of her vision. “We focus on teamwork and collaboration. The team’s synergy is one hundred percent there. That commitment to people-first leadership has already yielded tangible results. “The other day, I was sitting with staff members from different departments, and they each said to me, ‘I love working here. I love my job, and I love what I’m doing.’ For me, that made me realise that I am successfully impacting the company.” Under Emily’s guidance, Imperial Armour continues to thrive under a quality assurance framework. “I live and breathe ISO,” she says, referring to the international quality management standard. “It’s a path that we’ve taken to make sure that we are successful. We measure, we set goals, and we work towards them.” This approach has also driven technical innovation. Emily highlights a major development in product design that has improved functionality and reduced material waste. “For our most popular product line, we’ve managed to create minimal wastage, which has been amazing,” she explains. The Contour 25 line is not only sustainable but also ergonomically advanced. “When a reaction officer wears a vest, they need complete manoeuvrability. The Contour 25 allows that. You can hold your firearm with no restriction, sit in a vehicle comfortably, and have full protection. It’s been incredible, and our key accounts have already adopted this style.” EMPOWERING WOMEN Emily’s sense of social responsibility has also found expression in a new initiative, the ‘Yes, You! Campaign’. “It’s directed at women, particularly from lower-income communities,” she explains. “Many of these women want to start their careers but may lack confidence, communication skills or even knowledge of how to prepare a CV. We train them, we help them grow their confidence, learn how to interview and present themselves.” Initially rolled out within the company, the campaign will soon expand to reach the surrounding community. Emily says warmly, “My biggest dream has always been to be an entrepreneur who makes a difference. If I’m not making a difference, I’m not succeeding. In an industry dominated by men, Imperial Armour has always been 100% female-owned, and 96% percent of the staff are women. Emily notes with pride, “And while the industry may have traditionally been perceived as a ‘man’s world’ – consider the impact when women can: Design; Craft; Negotiate and Sell the highest quality of Body Armour.” Emily has also been guided by her late father’s words: “He always told me to learn from everyone who gives advice. Whether it’s with a pinch of salt or not, I always do my best to learn. I think it’s important to share that lesson with young women.” She is passionate about seeing more women step into leadership roles within the defence industry. “I want young women to know they can be here, that they can succeed. Confidence is something you must believe in your head first. You may not have it all, but you can go for it, and the confidence comes.” CLEAR AMBITIONS Looking ahead, Emily’s ambitions for Imperial Armour are clear. “I would like the brand’s market reach to grow,” she says. “We are already in seventy-eight countries but expanding on that is a huge goal for me. We need to protect as many people as we can.” She adds that Imperial Armour’s mission goes beyond production. “We manufacture for the wearer, for their families. Our slogan is: ‘When you go in, we go in with you’. We may not physically accompany the wearers into dangerous environments, but through our garments, we are right there with them. I love that because it is truly Imperial Armour.” With two young sons and a supportive husband, Emily understands the challenges of balance. “I find balance through energising myself for work and energising myself from work for life,” she explains. “I make sure that my cup is filled with family and friends, and that brings me my best self for work and vice versa for home. I’m grateful for both. Previous Next

< Back KZN Business Sense Free consultancy 30 minutes Book Now About KZN Business Sense is an online business magazine and print tabloid that is published by the KwaZulu-Natal Business Chambers Council (KBCC) together with KZN Top Business. The publication provides businesspeople with compelling and relevant perspectives on the issues impacting on the economy with special emphasis on KwaZulu-Natal. KZN Business Sense is unique in that we provide a variety of platforms to promote KwaZulu-Natal in a holistic manner - print, website, social media, video and through targeted email campaigns. Written content is a great way to project your business’s particular products, expertise, way of thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Recent research shows that buyers read articles or publications to learn more about a topic important to them professionally. By educating your audiences, you demonstrate your relevance to them and show them your qualifications as an expert. A robust editorial programme linked with engaging content on your own website is a great marketing technique to cultivate clients. Video Video is the latest feature used by KZN Business Sense to market our clients’ business offerings. Through the video series, ‘Coffee with Grant’ we provide insights into some of the successful businesspeople and organisations that drive the economy of the province. Video marketing promotes services, educates clients, and helps to tap into new markets. As well as more brands utilising videos, consumers are now watching more online videos than before. The fast-expanding audiences is fueling rapid growth in demand from advertisers, making online video the fastest-growing digital channel by advertising expenditure. In addition, the website links provided on your articles and your videos are an excellent way to increase the drawing power of your website. Search engines like Google give preference to content that is linked to other sites. Distribution The distribution of the printed tabloid copies includes King Shaka International Airport, business chamber office distribution, other business partners and some selected coffee shops. The electronic copy is emailed to an extensive database of 20 000 businesspeople. KZN Business Sense articles and videos are available on the website and are shared and promoted on a range of social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Previous Next

This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. < Back Rainforest Action Initiative This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next