The Nic Carroll 2021 Collection Nomfundo Mcoyi CEO of the Icebolethu Group Don’t take shortcuts, they’re not the answer. Work hard, be professional and do things the right way, and for the right reasons Nomfundo Mcoyi

< Back Eleni Kwinana

Get your hands dirty, show up in a meaningful way and cream will rise to the topTracy Moonsamy < Back Tracy Moonsamy Head of Sustainability, Risks and Quality Systems Beier Group Tracy Moonsamy works for the Beier Group which is based in Pinetown. She is head of sustainability, risks and quality systems for the group and has been at Beier for 24 1/2 years. Tracy has spent the bigger part of that time managing quality systems implementation compliance. Over the last two years, she has built a portfolio around sustainability – Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and risk, which have been the most exciting two years of her career. Beier is a technical textiles manufacturer, and their value proposition is that they engineer for the customer. Their benevolent intent is helping to protect and improve the quality of life and that is evident in the strong ethos around local manufacturing, growing local capacity and contributing to sustainable economic growth. Foster relationships Tracy is proud of the many achievements that she participates in both at work and personally. She comments that Beier’s biggest achievement is in the dedication that comes through in the way that they do business. “We foster relationships with communities, bringing small businesses into our business, localising products that would have been imported,” explained Tracy. In addition, the Beier Group, through the Mkhulise Young Minds Development Foundation, has a strong bursary system that, provides support from pre-primary up to postgraduate level. The company aims to empower people through education and training to create a strong pipeline of prospective employees as well as grow existing employees. “My belief is that we’re only going to change the economic situation in South Africa if we grow manufacturing capacity,” stressed Tracy. Personally, Tracy is involved with an NPO called United Hands of Hope, which was founded by her brother. They provide spiritual and physical aid to impoverished communities creating a spirit of empowerment and ubuntu. Tracy is enthusiastically involved in industry associations to build capacity for local manufacturers. These include the Medical Device Association of South Africa and the South African Medical Technology Industry Association (SAMED) and various technical committees. Tracy’s journey at the Beier Group started 25 years ago when she was a learner and participated in the company’s CATS programme. Subsequently, the late Hans Beier employed Tracy, and she joined the Beier Group in the accounts department, which was fortuitous. Speaking of her career direction, she commented, “I realised that I didn’t love accounts and I started doing some work in the quality department. I think it was a bit of luck, my own work ethic and good timing.” Fast forward nine years, there was an opportunity to build a clean room that is the state of art for the manufacture of medical devices. Tracy worked very closely with Warren Sachs, who’s her COO now, and together they commissioned a world class manufacturing plant; a Class 7 clean room which is still supplying Europe and the United States. In 2016 Tracy was appointed the first female director in the history of Beier. Triple bottom line Over the years, Tracy’s job has evolved. Businesses now have to look at their triple bottom line and evaluate how they can make profits while taking care of people and the planet. These needs evolved into environmental, social and governance pillars, which are the some of the elements of sustainability. Tracy said, “The reason I love sustainability is that I’m a risk-based person and sustainability takes into account risk management. It is not just your environmental carbon footprint and your waste management, it is how you take care of people, value chains and future proof your business. How do you make sure that you’re moving women and those previously disadvantaged through the process and creating a strong pipeline?” She added that having governance controls in place allows you to make the right decisions. “Sustainability really asks the question: What are the things you need to do so that your business is still here and thriving in five years and in 10 years?” Pushing into spaces Speaking of the people who have inspired her along the way. Tracy says that Warren Sachs and Wolfgang Beier have both provided opportunities for her, while also pushing her into the spaces where she was uncomfortable, which allowed her to grow. She added, “I think that having a space where you can fail safely is important to be empowered. Everyone experiences challenges, if you start with the self, it’s always around whether you feel like you belong. A little bit of imposter syndrome always finds its way in.” A big challenge for Tracy was that she didn’t have a degree that allowed her to walk into a business in a middle management role. She started at the bottom, which she said is great because it gives you good knowledge and grounding in the business. However, she added that starting at the bottom sometimes creates a shackle to the place that you’re started at. Dealing with the limitations one places on oneself and breaking those chains for oneself is important to grow. A second challenge that Tracy has experienced is that the manufacturing sector has always had layers of complexity and historical stereotypes that need to be broken. Tracy explained that she was able to break through these layers. She commented, “You can never ask for a seat at the table or expect a seat at the table if you’re not showing the value that you bring. Often people want the seat without showing value. The way I overcame this was to show my value.” Tracy stressed that it’s important to, “Get your hands dirty, show up in a meaningful way and cream will always rise to the top.” Area of influence Being part of KZN Top Business Women 2023 is meaningful to Tracy on many levels. She commented, “It means that recognition comes from somewhere else. And I think that sometimes that’s important to understand that your area of influence has grown.” In addition, said Tracy, “In the words of Warren Sachs, we want to make manufacturing sexy again. We need more people, especially women, in manufacturing.”

Up Home Up Pindiwe Filtane PINDIWE FILTANE is a social entrepreneur who runs a company called Mbasane Women in IT. This is a company that focusses on upskilling unemployed IT graduates. She has been in IT for the past 25 years, so she says that she understands the struggles. Pindiwe said that she never aspired to be a programmer when she started working. However, that was the job that she got, and she spent seven and a half years behind the laptop. Her company is therefore more about going back to where she thought she wanted to be. Looking at her journey and where she was when she started and when she left the corporate executive level, makes it easy for her to understand what these graduates are looking for. In addition, she knows what skills they are not equipped with and then she bridges that gap. “I understand that when you finish your degree, you don’t have it all. We have an end game in mind, where we look at the client and see what they are looking for and then upskill the graduates. The idea is for them to be employable at the end of the training or start their own businesses.” Mbasane Women in IT also works for companies that are looking to upskill their small businesses or start-ups and equips them with the basic business skills. A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT Pindiwe says that she bases her successes on seeing the impact of what they do. “When the graduates get into the corporate environment and they perform well and the clients are saying thank you, that for me, is a sense of achievement. Because we know what we have achieved, and we have given the companies what they are looking for.” “We don’t just focus on technical skills, we look at honing these graduates, so that they are better people in terms of the general etiquette that is needed in business. Nobody teaches you that, so we fill that gap and make sure that we build on their soft skills as well,” explained Pindiwe. KNOCKING ON DOORS The challenges that Pindiwe has faced are related to being a small business. She has had to knock on doors, make people understand that they are different from others, and make sure that they understand why they are doing what they are doing. She commented, “Because I love what I do, it works when I tell my clients what we do, instead of writing a proposal that is not going to tell the person the story behind the business. I believe that when people hear my story, they understand why I am doing this. The challenge is getting to the person who will listen to you, and I must say when they do listen, then I have my foot in the door. That is how I manage to manoeuvre in business, get that appointment, sit in front of the client, share my story, and ask them what it is you want to achieve?” FUTURE GOALS Pindiwe’s future goal is to build the business. She says, “I believe that there is a lot of help needed out there for these young graduates, and the SMEs or start-ups and somebody has to do it. A lot of us are needed; the cake is big enough; we can all share in the cake and all of us need to do something. There’s a skill gap, there are few women in IT. What are we doing about it? So, for me, it is to grow the business and empower as many women as I can, so that is why it is all about women in IT. Pindiwe says that when she gets a chance to stand in front of any audience, be it young graduates, be it young start-ups, she says that they need to see and appreciate where they are, then they can build on that. She commented, “There’s a lot out there that is happening. People are so angry, people don’t have jobs, people hide their certificates just to set their foot in the door. Then when they are inside that anger comes out. So, I say show the people what you can do. Show them what you have, because when you walked in, you accepted that job, so now do better.” She added that when she gets an opportunity to run programmes for the companies that have already employed the people, she finds that often employee performance or attitude is not up to scratch. “I say to them you accepted this job, you knew it was not what you wanted to do, so start here and you will go far. No one is going to accept you if you are grumpy. No one is going to notice you if you are not happy. If your certificate is with HR, no one else knows that you have a diploma or a degree, so do the best where you are and then you can move from there.” A GREAT OPPORTUNITY Pindiwe spends a lot of time watching her son playing sport and that takes her away from the working environment as she gets to be a mother. She also like walking. “When I get to walk, I get to think, I get to come up with solutions to problems that I would not have come up with when I am sitting at home, so doing the walks and being in touch with nature, that gives me a sense of peace and I enjoy it.” In conclusion, Pindiwe says that this is a great opportunity for women in business to showcase their work and get people to respect them. “We want to be known, we want to be seen, we want to be acknowledged not because we are women, but because of what we do, so this initiative is great for us as women in business.”

< Back Next > Nonhlanhla Makhubalo Founder, Diverse Intellectual SA (DISA) Nonhlanhla Makhubalo, known as Nonie in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, is the founder of Diverse Intellectual SA (DISA). Her company is more than just a contact centre; it is a platform for empowering women and unemployed youth. “At Diverse Intellectual SA, we focus on providing call centre services to both the domestic and international markets,” explains Nonhlanhla. “We have worked with well-known brands like Pineapple Insurance and MTN to name a few. We handle customer service, outbound sales calls, and various non-voice services such as email and chat support.” With 13 years of experience in the call centre industry, Nonhlanhla’s story is one of growth and finding purpose in an unlikely place. “I used to be an introvert, someone who never liked speaking to people,” she recalls. “But the call centre industry took me out of my comfort zone. It was therapeutic in a way; helping others with their problems became a form of counselling for me.” A Vision for Inclusivity Nonhlanhla’s vision for DISA goes beyond the traditional call centre model. “We are aiming to create a more inclusive workplace by integrating services for the hearing impaired,” she explains. “Our goal is to provide opportunities for them in the non-voice sector, such as handling chats, emails, and administrative tasks.” For Nonhlanhla, inclusivity is not just a business strategy but a core value. “It’s about creating a space where everyone can contribute meaningfully, regardless of their physical abilities.” She also believes in the importance of uplifting the community by providing employment and skills development opportunities. “We’re not just a business; we are a bridge for people who are struggling to find work,” she says. “By hiring the unemployed and training them in customer service, we are giving them a chance to gain experience and grow within the industry.” For Nonhlanhla, understanding the struggles of her employees comes naturally, having worked her way up from an agent to an executive. “I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the phone,” she says. “That experience helps me connect with my employees in a way that many executives might not be able to.” Despite her success, Nonhlanhla is candid about the difficulties she has faced in her entrepreneurial journey. “When I started a few years ago, I thought I had it all figured out because of my experience in the industry,” she admits. “But I quickly realised that running a business requires much more than just industry knowledge. It’s about doing thorough research, understanding your clients, and being prepared for unexpected setbacks.” One such setback came early on, when a major client disappeared after only three months. “I hadn’t done enough background research on the client,” she reflects. “It was a hard lesson, but it taught me the importance of due diligence.” Another challenge has been hiring the right people. “Hiring can be tricky, especially when people think they can take advantage of a black-owned, woman-led business,” she says. “I’ve had to be hands-on in recruiting to ensure we get the right team members who align with our values.” Nonhlanhla is also aware of the stereotypes that come with being a black woman in the BPO sector. “Being a woman as in any sector is tough before you factor in race,” she says. “That comes with its own set of challenges, but it also gives me the opportunity to show others that it is possible. We often shy away from private sector opportunities, focusing instead on government tenders. But there is potential in the private sector, and I want to be an example of what can be achieved.” Future Aspirations Nonhlanhla’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. “One of my highlights was being recognised at the KZN Top Business Women event,” she says. “It’s an honour to be acknowledged as a woman making a difference in the industry.” Her company is also in talks with an international client, which could lead to a significant expansion. “If all goes well, we’re looking at adding 400 seats to our operations by next December,” she reveals. “That’s a big achievement for us, especially considering how difficult it can be to secure clients.” Looking to the future, Nonhlanhla has ambitious plans for DISA. “I want to open more branches across South Africa, and maybe even internationally,” she shares. “We are currently based in Durban’s CBD, but we’re exploring opportunities to expand to areas like Umhlanga and Ballito for strategic and security reasons.” Her vision for the company is not just about growth but also about creating a lasting impact in the BPO sector. “We are heading in the right direction, and I’m excited about what’s to come.” Balancing her business ambitions with her personal life is another challenge Nonhlanhla navigates carefully. “Do I even know what relaxing is?” she jokes. “When I do get some time off, I spend it with my kids. My son is four years old and full of energy, while my ten-year- old daughter is into coding and wants to be the next big gamer.” Spending quality time with her children is a priority for her. “There will be times when I’m too busy to be with them, so I make sure that every moment we have together is special,” she says. Nonhlanhla’s advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “Follow your passion. It’s okay not to have everything figured out from the start,” she says. “We are often told to be strong, but it’s also okay not to be okay. Enjoy the journey, learn from your mistakes, and keep pushing forward.” Her entrepreneurial journey is a testament to resilience, growth, and the power of finding one’s voice—even in unexpected places. “I never thought I’d be here, speaking openly and running my own business,” she reflects. “But if I can do it, so can others.” Nonhlanhla’s story serves as a source of inspiration for anyone looking to build something meaningful. “It’s been a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t change a thing,” she concludes. “This is just the beginning.” < Previous Next >

Next Back to Team Next Dylan Naidoo Multimedia Field Journalist As a Multimedia Field Journalist for KZN Top Business, Dylan plays a vital role in capturing and sharing the stories that shape our region. A versatile member of our team, he is equally comfortable behind the camera as he is in front of it. Dylan combines a sharp eye for video production with a talent for engaging interviews, helping to document the diverse businesses that make KZN thrive. Beyond his multimedia work, Dylan is a dedicated writer and the creative lead for MotorSense, our Business Sense column. His ability to balance technical video tasks with thoughtful, insightful writing makes him a key contributor to our editorial team as he continues to grow his expertise in the field. Mail Dylan@BusinessSense.co.za Phone +27 71 126 5075

Up Home Up Carol Coetzee Many people won’t necessarily know what the implications of these policies have been. However, one of them was the development of Operation Sukuma Sakhe, which then became a policy directive for the entire country. The goal of this directive was to bring government departments together at community level. If a family, for example, needed to access a grant but did not have identity documents, the relevant documents would be brought together to provide a holistic solution to the household rather than having to go to 3-4 different government buildings, which is unaffordable for many rural communities. “That was a great initiative and we have seen the impact in terms of addressing some of the societal issues at a ward level including improved integrated planning across the different spheres of government” says Carol. The Provincial Treasury, as it needs to be accountable for public funding, has also implemented several initiatives to ensure that there is good governance. Carol added, “With our support initiatives, we’ve seen an improvement in the audit outcomes of the provincial departments and the public entities that we guide and support which reflects an enhancement of governance in the public sector.” Carol commented that she most enjoys socio-economic development achievements, where they reach out to communities and measurable impact can be seen. “During FIFA 2010 World Cup, we made sure we had public viewing areas, so people out in the far-flung areas were able to enjoy the hype and watch the soccer on big screens and all come together. The other achievements are the creches that we have been able to help. They were in shocking conditions, they had pit latrines, and we are talking about little ones from 0 – 5 years old, without educational toys to play with. I thoroughly enjoyed going into those communities and seeing the change in terms of giving those little ones a head-start with proper facilities and providing teachers with a formal setting to build a good foundation for these future generations.” Truly Inspirational Reflecting on who has inspired her, Carol said that she was privileged to meet Grant Oosthuizen who is an incredible young man. He is severely handicapped (though he would not like me saying that) and can only manage to control the movement of one organ of his body and that’s a toe. However, he charges around in his wheelchair, is a graphic designer, plays bowles for South Africa, and does ballroom dancing and anything his heart desires. “There is nothing that stops Grant,” explains Carol. “He is the most happy, respectful person I have ever meet. He does not let anyone stop him; he is amazing. He started an NGO called Get Inspired, where other disabled people are taught to make arts and crafts so they can earn an income and lead dignified lives. Whenever, I have a bad day, I think of him, this is someone that is truly inspirational as he has overcome substantial hurdles in this life with a smile on his face.” A Bumpy Road Carol said that over the last 30 years she has had a bumpy road including both personal and work challenges. “On a personal side, I had major back surgery, which required me to be out of the office for two – three months. That really humbled me as well. It made me realise that mental health is important because at the time I was in hospital, they couldn’t diagnose the underlying cause of my health challenges post the major operation of fusing 9 vertebra. I was frustrated and humiliated by the way I had to be washed in bed, and I was in a very dark space. I was visited by a psychiatrist to talk to me, which was the first time I realised how crucial mental health is for anyone. I still to this day if I am facing a challenge seek professional help. Making sure I stay healthy and fit is important given my pressurised job.” When it comes to her career, Carol has had to make tough decisions while working with hard-core leaders. She says, “I think what is important is to be able to say no at the right time and to give alternative solutions rather than being viewed as obstructing. There have been a lot of difficult decisions to be made. I think as long as you ensure your integrity is intact, and you and your values and ethics, even difficult people will see that what you are saying is correct and they will respect you for it.” Changing Perceptions Carol says that she probably has about ten years left in the public sector before she retires. In this time, she would really like to change the way that government is perceived. She says that she wants to change this perception by tackling the issue of corruption through putting proper systems in place, holding people accountable through empowerment, and ensuring that there is consequence management. She added that she wants to professionalise the public sector. “I try and encourage young graduates to join the public sector and to change how government is perceived. It’s a privilege to be a government official and we are here to serve the public. It’s not only the right thing to do, but we have a mammoth responsibility to change the lives of our communities. Seize Opportunities Being a female still has several challenges, says Carol, irrespective of what sector you enter. Young women must seize opportunities, don’t be afraid to take on something you have never done before. In advising others she says that each challenge is different, you need to understand that you will be learning every day. “I went into the film industry as a CEO of a brand new entity, with no knowledge of the sector, it was an amazing experience, so be open to new experiences.” “You need to be passionate and have empathy for your team. That’s what I have learnt over the years, spend time and create a better relationship with your staff. You need to be respectful of who you are working with and be professional because you will not and cannot succeed on your own. I always say, don’t be on time, be early. Being a chartered accountant, sets that foundation, you have certain ethics and values that you will always have in place by the nature of the training and the profession. Carol says that when she does have time to relax, she loves the outdoors, going for a hike in the berg, or a long walk along the beach. She added, “I love game parks, I read quite a bit, I love photography and I go to Splashy Fen every year, which is my time to thoroughly unwind and enjoy local music.”

The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority is an entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. The purpose of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, which trades as TKZN, is to develop, promote and market tourism into and within the Province of KwaZulu-NatalKwaZulu-Natal Tourism AuthorityActing CEO: Phindile MakwakwaThe KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority is an entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. The purpose of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, which trades as TKZN, is to develop, promote and market tourism into and within the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. TKZN achieves this by striving to increase local and foreign arrivals, reduce foreign seasonality, increase tourist spend and length of stay within the province, improve the geographic spread of tourist visits across the province, improve the destination’s overall image, promote responsible, demand-driven tourism development and industry transformation, and to nurture strategic leadership. Although there are 11 municipal districts in KZN, for travel purposes it is more comfortably divided into eight regions, namely Durban, the South Coast, the North Coast, Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands, the Drakensberg, the Battlefields, the, Zululand and the Maputaland or Elephant Coast. Each of these areas has its own unique characteristics and attractions and visitors are spoilt for choice. Beaches and Adventure Activities KwaZulu-Natal is a traveller’s dream, with a seemingly perpetual summer, offered by our subtropical climate. We are famous for our outdoor activities, beaches, natural environment, sport, surf, fishing, sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving. In addition to all the water related activities, adrenaline junkies can abseil the world’s highest gorge, bungee jump, go mountain biking, white-water rafting, or even do some ice climbing in the snowy mountains in the winter. Heritage There are plenty of opportunities to experience and enjoy the region; KwaZulu-Natal is rich in history and has an enviable diversity of cultures. This gives visitors endless authentic and fascinating opportunities to learn about, meet and interact with South Africans from all walks of life. Cultural diversity is apparent everywhere; in the traditional and contemporary music, dance, architecture, theatre and art, and even the agriculture of the local people. In addition, there are always plenty of exciting local and international culinary delights awaiting exploration. The variety of spiritual beliefs found existing side by side in KwaZulu-Natal is most interesting. There are many beautiful churches, temples and mosques to be seen and traditional ceremonies to be experienced. Situated in the centre of Durban is one of the largest African traditional healer's markets in the southern hemisphere. Historically, the sites of battles fought in the beautiful hills and valleys of northern KwaZulu-Natal at the turn of the 19th century, draw visitors from throughout the world. Some of the more famous battlefields are at Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana in Zululand, but there are many other interesting historical sites, museums and monuments throughout the province. Nelson Mandela was finally captured in KwaZulu-Natal after having been on the run from the apartheid government. He was later sentenced and spent 27 years in prison. Commemorating this event, is a magnificent memorial, "The Mandela Capture Site", outside the town of Howick in the Midlands area of the province. It was also in KwaZulu-Natal that Mandela chose to cast his vote in South Africa's first ever democratic elections. This he did at the Ohlanga Institute on the outskirts of Durban. The Natural Environment Two of the country's eight magnificent World Heritage sites, namely iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the Elephant coast, and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park in the mountains to the west of the province are here. Another important game reserve is Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, world famous for the role it has played in preserving Africa's white rhino populations. In addition, there are many more state run and privately owned protected natural areas to suit everyone's budget. KZN Travel Guide App Tourism KwaZulu-Natal recently introduced the all new KZN Travel Guide App now available free for download from the App Store and Google Play. The only App to showcase the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the KZN Travel App features local travel and tourism information highlighting domestic destinations native to KwaZulu-Natal. The up to date travel and tourism information includes: • Heritage tours • Local KZN hangouts and artisan culture • Beach vacations • Romantic getaways • Luxury experiences • Day trips • Safari escapes • Tours and travel highlights • Leisure activities • Travel packages and tour operators • Exclusive KZN experiences and adventure Name of Entity: KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority Nature of Business: Destination Management Organisation The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, trading as Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN), was established in terms of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Act, 1996, as amended by Act No. 2 of 2002. VISION The vision of Tourism KwaZulu-Natal is to position the Province of KwaZulu-Natal as Africa’s leading tourism destination, nationally and internationally. MISSION The mission of this organisation is to initiate, facilitate, co-ordinate and implement: Strategic tourism marketing, and Demand-driven tourism development programmes which grows tourism and thereby serving to achieve: The transformation of the tourism sector within the Province Economic benefits to all stakeholders and the Province KEY PERSONNEL Acting CEO: Phindile Makwakwa CONTACT DETAILS Head Office Physical Address: 29 Canal Quay (Signal) Road, Point, Durban, 4001 Postal Address: P.O. Box 2516, Durban, 4000 Tel: +27 (0)31 366 7500 Fax: +27 (0)31 305 6693 E-mail: enquiries@zulu.org.za Website: www.zulu.org.za Acting CEO: Phindile Makwakwa Making Waves The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority is an entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. The purpose of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, which trades as TKZN, is to develop, promote and market tourism into and within the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. TKZN achieves this by striving to increase local and foreign arrivals, reduce foreign seasonality, increase tourist spend and length of stay within the province, improve the geographic spread of tourist visits across the province, improve the destination’s overall image, promote responsible, demand-driven tourism development and industry transformation, and to nurture strategic leadership. Although there are 11 municipal districts in KZN, for travel purposes it is more comfortably divided into eight regions, namely Durban, the South Coast, the North Coast, Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands, the Drakensberg, the Battlefields, the, Zululand and the Maputaland or Elephant Coast. Each of these areas has its own unique characteristics and attractions and visitors are spoilt for choice. Beaches and Adventure Activities KwaZulu-Natal is a traveller’s dream, with a seemingly perpetual summer, offered by our subtropical climate. We are famous for our outdoor activities, beaches, natural environment, sport, surf, fishing, sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving. In addition to all the water related activities, adrenaline junkies can abseil the world’s highest gorge, bungee jump, go mountain biking, white-water rafting, or even do some ice climbing in the snowy mountains in the winter. Heritage There are plenty of opportunities to experience and enjoy the region; KwaZulu-Natal is rich in history and has an enviable diversity of cultures. This gives visitors endless authentic and fascinating opportunities to learn about, meet and interact with South Africans from all walks of life. Cultural diversity is apparent everywhere; in the traditional and contemporary music, dance, architecture, theatre and art, and even the agriculture of the local people. In addition, there are always plenty of exciting local and international culinary delights awaiting exploration. The variety of spiritual beliefs found existing side by side in KwaZulu-Natal is most interesting. There are many beautiful churches, temples and mosques to be seen and traditional ceremonies to be experienced. Situated in the centre of Durban is one of the largest African traditional healer's markets in the southern hemisphere. Historically, the sites of battles fought in the beautiful hills and valleys of northern KwaZulu-Natal at the turn of the 19th century, draw visitors from throughout the world. Some of the more famous battlefields are at Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana in Zululand, but there are many other interesting historical sites, museums and monuments throughout the province. Nelson Mandela was finally captured in KwaZulu-Natal after having been on the run from the apartheid government. He was later sentenced and spent 27 years in prison. Commemorating this event, is a magnificent memorial, "The Mandela Capture Site", outside the town of Howick in the Midlands area of the province. It was also in KwaZulu-Natal that Mandela chose to cast his vote in South Africa's first ever democratic elections. This he did at the Ohlanga Institute on the outskirts of Durban. The Natural Environment Two of the country's eight magnificent World Heritage sites, namely iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the Elephant coast, and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park in the mountains to the west of the province are here. Another important game reserve is Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, world famous for the role it has played in preserving Africa's white rhino populations. In addition, there are many more state run and privately owned protected natural areas to suit everyone's budget. KZN Travel Guide App Tourism KwaZulu-Natal recently introduced the all new KZN Travel Guide App now available free for download from the App Store and Google Play. The only App to showcase the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the KZN Travel App features local travel and tourism information highlighting domestic destinations native to KwaZulu-Natal. The up to date travel and tourism information includes: • Heritage tours • Local KZN hangouts and artisan culture • Beach vacations • Romantic getaways • Luxury experiences • Day trips • Safari escapes • Tours and travel highlights • Leisure activities • Travel packages and tour operators • Exclusive KZN experiences and adventure Name of Entity: KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority Nature of Business: Destination Management Organisation The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, trading as Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN), was established in terms of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Act, 1996, as amended by Act No. 2 of 2002. VISION The vision of Tourism KwaZulu-Natal is to position the Province of KwaZulu-Natal as Africa’s leading tourism destination, nationally and internationally. MISSION The mission of this organisation is to initiate, facilitate, co-ordinate and implement: Strategic tourism marketing, and Demand-driven tourism development programmes which grows tourism and thereby serving to achieve: The transformation of the tourism sector within the Province Economic benefits to all stakeholders and the Province KEY PERSONNEL Acting CEO: Phindile Makwakwa CONTACT DETAILS Head Office Physical Address: 29 Canal Quay (Signal) Road, Point, Durban, 4001 Postal Address: P.O. Box 2516, Durban, 4000 Tel: +27 (0)31 366 7500 Fax: +27 (0)31 305 6693 E-mail: enquiries@zulu.org.za Website: www.zulu.org.za KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority is an entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. The purpose of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, which trades as TKZN, is to develop, promote and market tourism into and within the Province of KwaZulu-Natal

Up Home Up Heather Flack HEATHER FLACK is the very proud owner of Flair Accounting, an accounting practice based in Morningside, which is celebrating 20 years in business. She says that when thinking about her achievements in business and community, the first one is that they made it to 20 years, which she never thought they would. “I distinctly remembered been told that most businesses don’t survive their first three years and if we could just get past that point …, and here we are, on the cusp of a twentieth birthday.” Heather added that she would say the greatest achievement to date is being recognised by Standard Bank Top Women and ranked as one of South Africa’s Top Gender Empowerment Companies in the financial sector for 2022/2023. As far as their community service goes, this is something that has been exceptionally important to Heather and the company over the years. Flair Accounting has always been involved in outreach projects, and Heather has sat on various boards for various charities, mostly women based. One of those being HOLAH (Home of Love and Hope), which is a baby house for children in crisis here in Durban, and Makaranga Charitable Trust is another. DRIVEN TO ACHIEVE “When thinking about what has inspired her over the years, Heather would have to say the ability to defy the answer no. “I think being told I couldn’t achieve something, or I couldn’t do something, inspired me even more to go harder, faster to really drive to achieve it. And not just that, I am really inspired by our country, I love the people of this country and I am very passionate about helping business owners in South Africa.” One of the challenges that Heather had to face, was being 23 when she started the business. Trying to get people to take her seriously at the time and have faith in her ability and her service was her greatest challenge. Heather said, “I had to get creative, often offering to do the work for free and see where it went from there. I’ve always just found that the biggest challenge that businesses face, is that people want value for what they are paying for. But mostly, people want to deal with people, not with a machine, not with a corporation and not with a business, but with the people.” BUILT A BRAND When thinking of what the future holds for Flair Accounting, Heather thinks that she is very proud of the fact that they have built a brand far greater than the individual that is her, over the last twenty years. She says that through those twenty years so many amazing women have come through their doors, have grown as individuals, have moved onto greater places, and achieved wonderful things. At the same time, she says, they have helped many businesses to steer their ships the right way, to look at all aspects of finance. When looking at the future, Heather says that needs to remain the core goal, to serve the businesses who have put their trust in them. NOTHING GOOD COMES EASY “The advice I would give to younger women is work hard. Nothing good comes easy. If you put in the time, if you put in the effort, if you do the yards, if you show up every day no matter what, you will achieve your dreams. You will aspire to great things. Never ever lose faith in yourself. There’s that famous saying that when a door closes a window opens, but it is up to us to look for the window.” A GREAT GIFT Heather is very happily married, and she has four children. They keep her very busy, but she says that they are a great gift in her life. She would say to unwind, that family is first and foremost in her life. They spend a lot of time outdoors, on the beach out in the sun, enjoying all the wonderful things that our country has to offer. In closing, Heather said, ‘I would like to thank Grant and the KZN Top Business team for this amazing nomination and opportunity. I am very honoured to know that my dream to change the world one business at a time has been recognised by our greater stakeholders and I thank you very much for the opportunity.”