< Back Barbara Njapha

Up Home Up Nureshka Viranna Nureshka Viranna is the young, dynamic and vibrant co-operative-founder and director of a company called Shopli. Shopli is an e-commerce and web design agency, that, in this age of digital information technology, helps to take businesses online and become more visible in this space. Nureshka and her team, measure their business achievements by their clients and the success their client experience through the work Shopli has done for them. Nureshka adds, “Our biggest achievements are our clients. I think that our clients speak for themselves. We are ecstatic when clients share how their leads have increased or how they have increased their sales.” FOCUSING ON YOUR VISION When it comes to accolades, Nureshka has been recognised and featured by Forbes as being in the Top 30 Under 30, for the strides she has made in technology, which is a huge achievement for a young, female-driven technology company. “Our mission and our vision have always been about our customers. It has always been customers first and how do we help them grow their business. That’s how we started, and this is our why,” explains Nureshka. The core function at Shopli is that together with their production team, they design and develop websites and online stores for clients. As Nureshka expands on this, “We have an approach where we make it our business to understand what your company does, to understand what makes your company different, what sets you apart, and only then do we create a website to showcase your products or services, so that you are more credible, you can get more business, and create brand awareness. When it comes to an online store, we help take your products online to ensure they are easily accessible to the consumer, so that this becomes another income stream.” Reflecting on her journey in this predominantly male-orientated technological environment, Nureshka shares that her biggest inspiration has been her business partner, Avilash Aniruth, who has operated his marketing agency for the past 20 years. This agency is also the sister company to Shopli. As Nureshka enthuses, “Avilash has inspired me in what he has achieved and how he has achieved his goals.” She has also been greatly inspired by women in technology, such as Sheryl Sandberg who was a big force in growing Facebook. “You don’t get many women success stories in tech,” says Nureshka, “so for me she is very inspiring and encouraging.” KNOWING YOUR VALUE In reflecting on the challenges, she has encountered along her career path, Nureshka says that the biggest challenge was that of being a woman in tech. “Tech is a very male dominated industry, so clients wouldn’t necessarily take me as seriously, and you are initially seen more as a sales rep going into a meeting. They didn’t see me as the expert in my field. However, once I showed businesses I knew exactly what I was talking about, and what we had achieved with other clients, my success spoke for itself. So, for me personally, overcoming that preconceived perception and proving to clients that I was just as good as any male in tech (without being sexist), was a huge accomplishment,” says Nureshka. She encourages women to know their value and the expertise they bring to the business. EXPANDING OUR FOOTPRINT With an existing national and international footprint, Nureshka’s future goals for Shopli are to grow this expansion into other provinces as well as internationally, to give the company a stronger foothold. On giving advice to women, or men for that matter, following this industry or following in her path, her recommendation is to never give up. “There are always going to be challenges, so you need to take everything in your stride and keep on trying,” she says. “The thing is that if there is a challenge you are facing, you should never give up, chances are you are closest to reaching a breakthrough to something great. So, don’t give up. I believe that if you are passionate about what you want to achieve, you will never go wrong.” KEEPING GROUNDED To relax and unwind, Nureshka spends a lot of time with family and friends who, by being in their company, keep her grounded. “Your business can consume you in the sense that it becomes you and you forget about life itself, so ‘my people’ are a big part of keeping that in perspective,” she says. She also enjoys sport and being active, as well as reading. Nureshka believes everyone needs to learn how to have a balanced life. “I am still learning to live a harmonious life, but I think it’s amazing to do what you love, be passionate about what you do, wake up in the morning and love going to work,” she says. Nureshka firmly believes it’s important to recognise your support systems. “I have amazing parents; my late dad was a huge support to me. Then I’ve got my team who are the core of my business, they help run my business, so I’m extremely grateful to them.” acknowledges Nureshka. “It’s been an honour to be recognised as a Top 30 Under 30 by Forbes because it’s opened a lot of doors and it’s helped me meet amazing people throughout Africa.”

< Back Kim Atkins

National Ports Authority- Port of Richards Bay National Ports Authority- Port of Richards Bay National Ports Authority- Port of Richards Bay This is a great place to add a tagline. I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

< Back This is a Title 02 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. Previous Next

< Back Melinda Cookson

Up Home Up Nondumiso Mthwa NONDUMISO MTHWA married her childhood sweetheart when she was 19 and started her family two years later – and nobody really expected her to have a career, let alone a significant business. Twenty-two years later, she’s the founder and CEO of Idwala Property Group, a certified estate agent and a master practitioner in real estate. She also holds a BCom Degree in Business Management and has served as a board member of the Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa (KZN and Coastal Region). Nondumiso has received numerous awards and accolades, has been featured in magazine articles and appeared on television. She is also a sought-after public speaker. Nondumiso has been awarded the Standard Bank Top Women in Property Award 2022. LEARN ALONG THE WAY Nondumiso describes her career progression with a sense of conviction. She joined a multi-level marketing organisation and discovered her natural ability for sales. She joined the real estate sector as an employed estate agent and worked her way up, growing her skills and knowledge along the way. “It’s not all about numbers,” says Nondumiso, “It’s about the people and helping them get what they need.” Moving into the property sector gave Nondumiso the opportunity to take this approach into a new area but she had to educate herself in the industry. “I started from ground level and worked hard to get exposure to every aspect of the real estate business and get the right qualifications. I’m particularly proud of my BCom. I registered in 2019 and I’ve just graduated – and it’s not easy to study when you have a husband, two children and a business to run!” But studying late did have one advantage – she often studied together with her sons! “We’re a close family, and we’ve gone through everything together,” Nondumiso laughs. Nondumiso’s philosophy is that you have to grab every opportunity with both hands. She became the top agent in the business, and when the agency principal told her he was moving on to something new and offered to sell her the franchise, she plucked up her courage and agreed. But life isn’t always easy. She bought a going concern with an office, a reputation, and experienced staff. But when they heard the owner had left the business, everyone else left too. There she was, with rent to pay and a big debt – and no-one but herself to make the sales! It didn’t take her long to come up with a plan. Nondumiso recruited a colleague from her multi-level marketing days. He had great selling skills, and she knew she could train him in the property sector. She convinced him to take a leap of faith and re-started the business. But Nondumiso soon discovered that there’s an immense difference between being an employee and running the business. Between dealing with managing staff, dealing with service providers, and controlling the finances, she had almost no time for herself or her family. Undeterred, Nondumiso learnt along the way, and today the Idwala Property Group has three offices with 22 staff, and the business includes residential sales, commercial letting, off-plan marketing of property developments, property valuations and in-house bond origination. She’s come a long way from that stress-fuelled time when all the staff walked out when she bought the business. THERE IS NO PLAN B Nondumiso says she had no option but to be resilient. “I had to succeed. I had nothing to fall back on, so I didn’t have a choice” Her philosophy? “Believe in whatever you do and give it your all. Show up and do the hard work.” PART OF A GREATER COMMUNITY Nondumiso also has a strong heart for her community. In 2018 she introduced an internship programme, taking 39 graduates on board to introduce them to the industry. Her company also sponsors several community empowerment and outreach programmes. “These have made a mark on society,” she points out, “but I’ve also grown personally through these projects.” INSPIRED BY GOD AND FAMILY Growing up in a happy, loving home, Nondumiso has been blessed with a supportive family of her own. My husband and my two sons are my biggest cheerleaders,” she says, “And my late mother was a force to be reckoned with. She didn’t have much but she did everything with determination and commitment. And I want to make them proud.” A VISION FOR THE FUTURE Nondumiso aspires to be recognised as a thought leader in the property industry. “I want to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves and inspire those who want to join this industry.” She points out that it’s a complicated business with rigorous compliance requirements and lots of red tape. “But I can be a signpost for the possibilities, so others can aim high too.” Idwala Property Group is currently a KZN business, with its stronghold in the Durban area, but Nondumiso has a vision to take the business national. “If it’s dreamable, it’s probably doable,” she points out. “And once we’re national, the next step is to go into the rest of Africa.” OPEN YOUR PIPES Nondumiso wants young businesswomen to fly. “Don’t be afraid to take a chance on yourself. Open your pipes and see how far you can go. If there’s something you want, go after it. See how far you can go and go beyond your fears. We all have fears. Do it anyway. You’ll learn as you go and discover who you really are. Have faith in what God has made you and you’ll be surprised by what you can do.” GRATITUDE IS YOUR SUPERPOWER “Whatever you do in life, be grateful. Live a life of faith and positivity and remember, your journey is not the same as your neighbour’s. So don’t compare and walk your own path with gratitude.” When she’s not working or inspiring her staff, her clients and the people around her, Nondumiso relaxes with feel-good movies, walks on the beach, and listens to other inspirational leaders.

The Nic Carroll 2021 Collection Portia Mthembu Head, Private Clients (Non-Metro) within Consumer & High Net Worth Clients (CHNW), Msunduzi Area, KZN Identify a career path that is in-line with who you are, that ignites passion in you as well as purpose Portia Mthembu

Durban is a leading South African tourist destination and is marketed globally by Durban Tourism, an official marketing unit that forms part of the eThekwini MunicipalityDurban TourismThulani NzamaDurban is a leading South African tourist destination and is marketed globally by Durban Tourism, an official marketing unit that forms part of the eThekwini Municipality. The strategic focus of Durban Tourism is to drive tourism and make it a key contributor to the local economy, thereby promoting economic upliftment for all its communities. Durban Tourism has made considerable progress in repositioning the city as a sophisticated destination with an extensive variety of things to do. Following the covid-19 lockdown period, the City is ready to welcome visitors. Deputy Mayor of eThekwini, Councillor Belinda Scott said: “The local tourism sector is ready to be a host again for business and leisure following a difficult lockdown period.” Scott said, “The Re-Ignite Durban programme officially set the tone of the industry’s road to recovery and it is one of our efforts to boost the sector by promoting the sectors state of readiness. Uplifting the tourism sector is an integral part of eThekwini’s economic recovery plan because the more tourists that descend on the City means more business, which will result in an economic boost and create job opportunities.” The City is focussing on providing visitors with a unique set of experiences that go beyond the beach and into the realm of Durban’s cultural and scenic diversity. Durban has a laid-back outdoor lifestyle, providing fun-filled activities ranging from mountain-biking and diving, to deep-sea fishing, game viewing, or cultural and historical tours. These activities include a visit to the Markets of Warwick; coffee at the Bike and Bean; the slides at uShaka Marine World; whale and dolphin watching from a charter boat, high tea at the Beverly Hills; a cocktail at the Oyster Box; a shishanyama at Max’s Lifestyle; trails of the Kranskop Nature Reserve; Zulu dancing at PheZulu Safari Park; and mountain biking at Giba Gorge. The popular beachfront promenade is a major attraction and has recently been extended to run a full 10km from the Durban harbour to Blue lagoon. Construction on this was completed in 2019. In addition, the newly installed social media photo frames along the promenade will allow tourists and public a platform to take pictures that will capture their memorable stay in Durban. And of course visitors are encouraged to upload them on social media so that the City continues trending as the warmest place to be in terms of hospitality and hosting capabilities. The municipality has also launched its North Beach Tourism Information office which will provide personalised service, brochures, maps and WiFi access to tourists. Within the office, there is a newly established Durban Souvenir Shop trading locally produced products supplied by about 11 SMMEs that promotes the City’s heritage. Furthermore, the North Beach Tourism Information office will also provide Ricksha Bus sightseeing tours to tourists which is an introductory and easily accessible means of seeing many of Durban’s major attractions in a short space of time. These tours are aimed at giving visitors more reason to come back to explore other City’s hidden gems and also spread the word about the beauty of eThekwini to others. Recognising that tourism is an industry that is never static, Durban Tourism is committed to building and defending the Durban brand, thus ensuring that it remains not only the national destination of choice, but also that of the global market. As part of building the brand, Durban Tourism has a three-year partnership with its tourism ambassadors - the Sharks, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the Golden Arrows. Helping to drive the latest campaign is a three-year global partnership with media giant, Discovery. The partnership is across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and across 54 markets, including key tourism source markets for Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. Programmes on the City have also been flighted on National Geographic and many of South African channels. Durban Tourism hopes that its Visitor Marketing Strategy, its partnership with its tourism ambassadors and its travel trade relationships will continue to position Durban as a global tourism destination. Full Name of Company: Durban Tourism (Tourism Authority of the eThekwini Municipality) Services: Tourist Services, Ricksha Bus Bookings, Destination Marketing, Quality Assurance, Research, Communications, Events Tourism Events: Major tourism events managed by Durban Tourism Include: Tourism Indaba No. of Employees: 40 Permanent VISION To position Durban as a preferred ‘must visit’ tourism destination, providing a unique Durban experience supported by world class facilities and infrastructure. MISSION To market Durban as a ‘must visit’ destination to the domestic and international tourism markets, and in so doing achieve economic development and facilitate job creation for the benefit of All the people of the metropolitan region. KEY PERSONNEL Head Durban Tourism: Thulani Nzama Senior Marketing and Communications Manager: Sbu Zondi CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: 90 Florida Road, Morningside, Durban, South Africa Postal Address: P.O. Box 1044, Durban, 4001, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)31 322 4164 Website: http://www.visitdurban.travel Thulani Nzama Re-ignite Durban Durban is a leading South African tourist destination and is marketed globally by Durban Tourism, an official marketing unit that forms part of the eThekwini Municipality. The strategic focus of Durban Tourism is to drive tourism and make it a key contributor to the local economy, thereby promoting economic upliftment for all its communities. Durban Tourism has made considerable progress in repositioning the city as a sophisticated destination with an extensive variety of things to do. Following the covid-19 lockdown period, the City is ready to welcome visitors. Deputy Mayor of eThekwini, Councillor Belinda Scott said: “The local tourism sector is ready to be a host again for business and leisure following a difficult lockdown period.” Scott said, “The Re-Ignite Durban programme officially set the tone of the industry’s road to recovery and it is one of our efforts to boost the sector by promoting the sectors state of readiness. Uplifting the tourism sector is an integral part of eThekwini’s economic recovery plan because the more tourists that descend on the City means more business, which will result in an economic boost and create job opportunities.” The City is focussing on providing visitors with a unique set of experiences that go beyond the beach and into the realm of Durban’s cultural and scenic diversity. Durban has a laid-back outdoor lifestyle, providing fun-filled activities ranging from mountain-biking and diving, to deep-sea fishing, game viewing, or cultural and historical tours. These activities include a visit to the Markets of Warwick; coffee at the Bike and Bean; the slides at uShaka Marine World; whale and dolphin watching from a charter boat, high tea at the Beverly Hills; a cocktail at the Oyster Box; a shishanyama at Max’s Lifestyle; trails of the Kranskop Nature Reserve; Zulu dancing at PheZulu Safari Park; and mountain biking at Giba Gorge. The popular beachfront promenade is a major attraction and has recently been extended to run a full 10km from the Durban harbour to Blue lagoon. Construction on this was completed in 2019. In addition, the newly installed social media photo frames along the promenade will allow tourists and public a platform to take pictures that will capture their memorable stay in Durban. And of course visitors are encouraged to upload them on social media so that the City continues trending as the warmest place to be in terms of hospitality and hosting capabilities. The municipality has also launched its North Beach Tourism Information office which will provide personalised service, brochures, maps and WiFi access to tourists. Within the office, there is a newly established Durban Souvenir Shop trading locally produced products supplied by about 11 SMMEs that promotes the City’s heritage. Furthermore, the North Beach Tourism Information office will also provide Ricksha Bus sightseeing tours to tourists which is an introductory and easily accessible means of seeing many of Durban’s major attractions in a short space of time. These tours are aimed at giving visitors more reason to come back to explore other City’s hidden gems and also spread the word about the beauty of eThekwini to others. Recognising that tourism is an industry that is never static, Durban Tourism is committed to building and defending the Durban brand, thus ensuring that it remains not only the national destination of choice, but also that of the global market. As part of building the brand, Durban Tourism has a three-year partnership with its tourism ambassadors - the Sharks, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the Golden Arrows. Helping to drive the latest campaign is a three-year global partnership with media giant, Discovery. The partnership is across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and across 54 markets, including key tourism source markets for Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. Programmes on the City have also been flighted on National Geographic and many of South African channels. Durban Tourism hopes that its Visitor Marketing Strategy, its partnership with its tourism ambassadors and its travel trade relationships will continue to position Durban as a global tourism destination. Full Name of Company: Durban Tourism (Tourism Authority of the eThekwini Municipality) Services: Tourist Services, Ricksha Bus Bookings, Destination Marketing, Quality Assurance, Research, Communications, Events Tourism Events: Major tourism events managed by Durban Tourism Include: Tourism Indaba No. of Employees: 40 Permanent VISION To position Durban as a preferred ‘must visit’ tourism destination, providing a unique Durban experience supported by world class facilities and infrastructure. MISSION To market Durban as a ‘must visit’ destination to the domestic and international tourism markets, and in so doing achieve economic development and facilitate job creation for the benefit of All the people of the metropolitan region. KEY PERSONNEL Head Durban Tourism: Thulani Nzama Senior Marketing and Communications Manager: Sbu Zondi CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: 90 Florida Road, Morningside, Durban, South Africa Postal Address: P.O. Box 1044, Durban, 4001, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)31 322 4164 Website: http://www.visitdurban.travel Durban Tourism Durban is a leading South African tourist destination and is marketed globally by Durban Tourism, an official marketing unit that forms part of the eThekwini Municipality