< Back Margaret Hirsch Next MARGARET HIRSCH has become a leading example to businesswomen in southern Africa. Although from a humble background, she has participated in co-founding and running the multi million-rand appliance and electronic retail organisation, Hirsch's MARGARET HIRSCH has become a leading example to businesswomen in southern Africa. Although from a humble background, she has participated in co-founding and running the multi million-rand appliance and electronic retail organisation, Hirsch's. Margaret started work washing hair in a salon at the age of twelve. She started her first formal job working for an attorney on the day she left school and has worked ever since. Margaret met Allan Hirsch, a fridge mechanic, in 1971. They married in 1972, while she was working as a secretary with JBS and she then worked for a shipping company in Durban. When she fell pregnant with Richard in 1976, she was fired from her job. Their daughter, Luci, was born in 1978. In 1979, the Hirsch's opened their first shop in Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban North. An inspiration to others Today, as chief operations executive of Hirsch's, Margaret has been integrally involved with all aspects of the business. This includes selling, invoicing, demonstrating, being a delivery person on the trucks, installing and demonstrating in customers' homes. Over the last 40 years, the Hirsch's have opened twelve Hirsch Homestore branches throughout KZN, Gauteng and Cape Town and five concept stores (Samsung and Sony stores in KZN and Gauteng and a bedroom boutique and lighting shop in Cape Town). "We have built Hirsch's from a tiny store to a billion-rand company and I hope that I will be an inspiration to others and help them believe that they can live their dreams as well," she says. She points out that it is only through hard work and a love for what the individual is involved in, that businesses will thrive. Putting it simply she says, "You can work for a boss and make a living - or you can work for yourself and earn a fortune, but you have to be passionate about what you do." Hands on service Customer loyalty is what has made Hirsch's a house-hold name. What amazes people is that Margaret does not have an office in any of the branches. She sits at a desk on the floor and helps deal with customer complaints and queries. Margaret explains. "Keeping our customers happy and providing them with a unique, hands on service has helped our business grow and we are continuously finding ways to improve on our service to them. Without customers, we would not have a company. I have been looking after our customers, their children and now their grandchildren." In addition, the company prides itself on being transparent. "Our staff knows exactly what is going on all the time, which makes them feel comfortable with us and makes them feel part of the family. The values of honesty, loyalty and integrity form the basis of all our interactions," explains Margaret. All Hirsch's staff members are encouraged to better themselves and are taught that by uplifting themselves they will ultimately uplift those around them. A child of the universe In reflecting on the challenges that she has faced as a woman in business, Margaret says, "I don't really think of myself as a woman, but more a child of the universe, I think we all have similar challenges, but our self-esteem and our sense of self-worth separate the winners from the losers." She believes that women can balance work-life demands but it's not easy. "When my children were small, I worked from home. Later, when they went to school, they would come and spend the afternoons in the shop, which I wasn't sure was good at the time, but in the end, it was the best thing that could have happened. They learnt the business from when they were tiny and today they are both extremely successful in their own right." Margaret has helped to publicise the plight of young girls throughout South Africa who do not attend school in the months they are menstruating, with the Girls with Dignity Project. She regularly visits schoolgirls to tell them about the project, initiated by Sue Barnes in KZN. She tells them that in life they will always have a choice, they can choose to stay at home or choose to go to school and eventually be successful in life. Margaret hands out panty packs to the girls; each pack contains one panty and three reusable sanitary pads which will last them their entire high school career. "The average school attendance has now increased from 40% to 80%, and their marks have improved dramatically including the - better attendance, better self-esteem, better marks," Margaret said. Empowering women Margaret has received many awards, including two Lifetime Achievement Awards in business and entrepreneurship to acknowledge her contribution to the business world in South Africa. She established the Margaret Hirsch Women in Business Achiever of the Year Award competition after she saw how well her business did and how winning awards gave her an edge over her competitors. She also works closely with other women's groups including the Lionesses of Africa, which empowers 850 000 women entrepreneurs across the continent. "It's an honour to help these women to grow their businesses from start-up to sustainable business venture. There's a growing number of women helping women, which this organisation embodies - 'our motto is empowered women empower women'. The advice that she would give others is to "Know that you are enough. You are perfect as you are. And your job is to make the best of your life." Previous Next

< Back Maimoona Salim Next MAIMOONA SALIM is the provincial executive of the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator. An NGO that helps the unemployed youth adopt necessary life skills, and assists with job placements MAIMOONA SALIM is the provincial executive of the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator. An NGO that helps the unemployed youth adopt necessary life skills, and assists with job placements. She oversees all strategic business operations, including managing clients, working with candidates, and maintaining the vision and mission of the organisation. Born and schooled in Durban, Maimoona relocated to Johannesburg in the late 90s, where she completed her studies and worked in various industries for over a decade. Her first job was as a casual worker at a retail store, and she worked her way up to be a specialist and later was promoted to senior management positions within the retail sector. Because of Maimoona's drive and ambition, she regularly looked for business opportunities. After noticing a skills gap amongst the unemployed youth, she decided to start a business to address this issue. So, in 2005, without any financial backing, she became an entrepreneur. She made pamphlets, offering people training, and development skills, that would help them find jobs. Only a few people were expected for training, but 98 candidates came on the first day. Shocked by the massive attendance, Maimoona managed to accommodate the candidates, taught them the required retail skills, and got them all employed by various retail stores. Encouraged by the success of the programme, she then registered a recruitment company, and started doing recruitment for various chain stores. She later became accredited and provided training for a major retail group store with which she landed a contract. Focus on the end goal Satisfied with the success she achieved in Johannesburg, Maimoona headed back to Durban, to seek a new venture. Her passion for food steered her to start a catering company which served small to medium size companies, for staff and client functions. Her company grew rapidly until it had a substantial staff complement...and that she says it what fulfilled her. Being able to employ people, mentoring, coaching, and helping them grow as individuals. Having achieved what she has, in the short space of time, Maimoona has proved to herself that: "You don't need money for business, you just need to apply your mind and execute your plan. Focus on the end goal and make yourself work towards it. Success does not come from luck; it comes from hard work and determination." Her journey has been a difficult one, as she came from a very challenging background. Though, that has not stopped her from persevering and achieving her dreams. Maimoona was privileged to have had good mentors along the way, that assisted with her career success. "People around you can push you to achieve your goals, encourage you not to give up, and help to take you to the next level." Working smart Maimoona believes, it is about "what inspires" rather than "who inspires" people. In addition, "People need to start by understanding themselves first, because when you learn to understand yourself, you then start understanding other people." The motivation and direction her parents provided, especially from her father, has driven her to grow as an individual, and that is what got her to where she is today. One of the strongest family values she lives by is, "work hard and be determined to succeed". "As we all have the same minds, women don't need a different approach to men to be successful in business. We all think strategically, we are all educated, however the trick is about working smart. It is all about you pushing yourself and reaching your objectives; making sure that you focus on attaining your goals. That, is your ticket to success." Maimoona is content with what she accomplished in her 20 plus years of being a career woman. She explains that to her, "accomplish" means "to do and achieve what you value, to make a difference and understand the input that you are giving." She says it is not about the bottom-line all the time. "Being at Harambee made me understand that it is all about giving back to the community, giving back to individual people and giving hope to people, especially the unemployed youth." A point I will keep re-iterating, even though it's been said over a million times, but truth be told: the youth are our future leaders." Doing what she does at Harambee, she feels, is an accomplishment on its own. Maimoona says, "Once you have found that you are giving back and making a difference, you can be content." It is not work, it is life When Maimoona was young, it was difficult for her to achieve a work-life balance, because she was so ambitious, and her career was all-important. Now that she is older and wiser, she asks herself if what she is doing now is a job or part of her life. Smiling, she says that it almost feels like she has retired because she enjoys what she does so much as it fulfils her as a human being. She has found herself and what resonates with her. "When people question my decision to work for a non-profit organisation, I reply that it is not work, it is life." The advice she would give to her younger self is, "Realise life is not always what it seems. Things are always going to change. Listen to your parents' advice." She would also advise herself to appreciate life and appreciate time. "Use it wisely, and make every day count towards something beneficial for others." Previous Next

< Back Laiela Paruk Dorasamy Next LAIELA PARUK DORASAMY is the owner of Ahavah Consulting, a Level 1 B-BBEE company which was established in May 2018. The core focus of Ahavah Consulting is to supply companies with items that require a personal touch LAIELA PARUK DORASAMY is the owner of Ahavah Consulting, a Level 1 B-BBEE company which was established in May 2018. The core focus of Ahavah Consulting is to supply companies with items that require a personal touch. This includes branded stationery, bespoke gifting, promotional giveaways, corporate gifts, conference packs, goody bags, prizes, point of sale, branded corporate and promotional attire. "Helping my clients to find the most appropriate gift to present to their customers, is what I am most passionate about," she says. "Ahavah is a verb as well as a noun; the Hebrew word means "To give" and "To love". Love is giving. The actual process of giving should develop the connection between the giver and the receiver." This intentional act of doing is central to the way that Laiela runs her business and she will always go the extra mile to ensure that her clients are happy. She has had 15 years of experience in the public relations and marketing sector, specifically in event management, project management and below the line marketing campaigns which include: in store activations, trade shows, school activations and brand ambassador programmes. Laiela has a keen insight and a vast network of suppliers, enabling her to offer astute service, tailored to your specific needs. She says that she is dedicated to getting the job done, in excellence, on time and within budget! All things work together Laiela says that everything that she has done in life and everything that she has learnt, including all the people that she has encountered, both positive and negative, all contribute to where she is today. As a committed Christian, Laiela believes strongly in Romans 8:28, that, "All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose." She added, "Hard work and prayer to me are the ultimate combination for success." In reflecting on her personal journey, Laiela said that her father had owned a jewellery and gift store in Newcastle, where she grew up. "I worked alongside him from a very early age, where I gained many valuable lessons, amongst them, customer relationships, consistency and discipline." Laiela says that she is someone who finds inspiration all around her every day. "Since the inception of my business, I have really drawn inspiration from the amazing women I have had the privilege to meet, mostly through networking. Their stories and journeys are really inspiring and have really kept me motivated and encouraged, not because they are strong women, but because they are real women, with all their challenges, hurdles and different backgrounds, all holding each other up, like mighty Sequoia trees." In addition, she says that Pastor Vernon Jacob, who leads The Embassy Church, where she is a member, also inspires her with his relevant and encouraging messages that he shares with the congregation including teachings on process, transition and dis-couragement, all of which are effective in helping her navigate through life on a daily basis. Laiela explains further, "He is a man of excellence and embodies love, two qualities that I believe every human should aspire to." The Best Person for the Job In responding to the question of whether she feels women have to have a different approach to business than men to get to be successful, Laiela says that she does not like to differentiate between men and women in terms of roles or abilities. She commented, "Generally when it comes to doing anything, to me it's about the best person for the job, irrespective of race, gender, culture or any other stereotype we tend to impose." "I believe that if you love what you do, if you give it your best, and are willing to learn and work hard, then you are unlikely to fail." Laiela is happy with what she has accomplished so far but has an ambition to see Ahavah Consulting grow further. "To be where I am after a relatively short period of time, is more than I could have hoped or imagined, that said, there is always so much more that can be achieved. I would love to see my business grow, to employ and empower people and make an impact on their future as well as their future generations. If we all set out to change a few lives, we can contribute to a significant overall change, without waiting for someone else to do something." Achieving a work-life balance As Laiela's husband runs a safety and corporate wear company, which complements her offering in many ways, they get to work together often and even share office space. This synergy, says Laiela, does help immensely with work-life balance as their children are their combined priority. "Our children are very passionate about helping us in our businesses, they love packing goody bags and tying bows and ribbons, anything they can assist us with in fact. My family is core to all that I am and all that I do and will always remain my priority." If Laiela could have given advice to her younger self, she would have said let her be who she is and has always been. "Let her be a dreamer who always wore her heart on her sleeve, the eternal optimist, always looking for the best in others and believing that life is about seizing every opportunity and living it to the fullest." Previous Next

Back to awards All nominees will be required to submit an entry as specified in the terms of entry. Queries gayle@mweb.co.za NOMINATE Nominated Person Nominee's name Last name Nominee's email Phone Web address Categories A short motivation Your name Last name Your Emial Your mobile phone Thank you for your nomination Submit

< Back Barbara Njapha Next The managing director of Performance Solutions Africa (PSA), a consulting firm in Durban that conducts performance enhancement interventions. Best practice programmes are offered to organisations in the private and public sectors, involving the training and coaching of leaders and managers. PSA's major focus currently is delivering school management programmes in the education sector, and to date these have been delivered in over 2000 schools nationally. BARBARA NJAPHA is the managing director of Performance Solutions Africa (PSA), a consulting firm in Durban that conducts performance enhancement interventions. Best practice programmes are offered to organisations in the private and public sectors, involving the training and coaching of leaders and managers. PSA's major focus currently is delivering school management programmes in the education sector, and to date these have been delivered in over 2000 schools nationally. On a day to day basis, Barbara is responsible for the overall management of the company, its people, and its functioning. She liaises with clients and the funders of projects and oversees the finances, marketing, new business, staffing, projects, and the developing of specific project reports. After matriculating from Igagasi High School in Umlazi, Barbara enrolled for a secretarial course at the Mangosuthu Technikon, as she lacked sufficient credits for university studies. Upon finishing the course, Standard Bank employed her, engaging her in their accelerated learning programme, which provided exposure to several banking functions. A year later she was accepted for the bank's "FTUS" scheme, whereby employees could attend university full-time. Due to her interest in people's behaviour, she enrolled for a B.Com (Industrial Psychology) degree at the University of Natal in 1995. Diverse experience After completing the degree, Barbara dealt with human resource (HR) matters ranging from training to industrial relations. At the end of 2001, she was employed by ABI as an HR specialist. When she felt that she had reached a ceiling in HR, she asked to be exposed to operations. To her surprise, they offered her relevant training and appointed her as a senior warehouse manager. She commented, "The opportunity to gain diverse experience in human resources as well as operations was a special gift." When managing the warehouse was no longer a challenge, Barbara left ABI to start her own recruitment company in 2006. Soon afterwards she met with a former work colleague who advised Barbara that PSA was looking for an HR head. Consequently, in addition to running her company, she joined PSA, and became a director replacing the lady who had recruited her. An opportunity arose when the then - managing director moved to Cape Town and Barbara was appointed to this position in 2010, which is the job title she still holds. Barbara says, "I am not inspired by a specific person, but by the actions of any person that makes a positive change." She admires someone like Nelson Mandela for his vision and ability to look beyond his immediate circumstances, but it is his actions as well as the actions of often unknown people doing something beyond themselves, that inspire her. Women have an extra load "Women still have "the short end of the stick" in business," says Barbara. Historically women have often been seen as fit to be in the kitchen rather than business, she says, but things have been improving and women are playing an increasingly big role in business. "Women do however have a double-load," she says, "because they have to double-prove themselves in business." As this need is in addition to the load of multi-roles beyond business, Barbara concludes that women are forced to approach business differently, due to the additional challenges of motherhood and caring for their families compared to men. Achieving a work-life balance Achieving a work-life balance has been difficult and has often been "a hit-or-miss" Barbara says. There were times when she could not be there for her children due to work commitments, for example when doing a warehouse stocktake on a Sunday. Fortunately, her children were independent at a young age and she appreciates the support she gets from her family. Her husband has encouraged her and became very understanding over time. "I view work-life balance a bit like a see-saw, because sometimes there is more of it and sometimes less." This is further motivation for her to be in a space where she can do what she loves and have the freedom to decide what she wants to do and when. The advice that she would give to her younger self would be "education, education, education first" says Barbara. "Because, although some people succeed with little or no education, this is just too risky." She would then go on to tell herself to make investment savings, learn how to be financially savvy, and to prepare for retirement early on. Lastly, she would tell herself to become independent and only enter into a long-term relationship when she can be whole on her own and wouldn't need to be reliant on someone. "Then you can go and live life, not do what someone else tells you to do, but what you enjoy doing." Becoming a social entrepreneur Barbara is happy with most of what she has achieved, especially being able to provide for her children's education, but has not yet succeeded in terms of reaching her goals. "I want to do something bigger than myself, some-thing I am passionate about, on my own terms." Her passion is to uplift and empower people in society. She wants to engage in what she terms "social entrepreneurship" which for her means "resolving community-related problems through one's entrepreneurial skills without doing it for profit". When she has become a successful social entrepreneur, she would feel that she has succeeded. Previous Next

< Back Amanda Swana You nurture those relationships that are valuable to you, and you draw strength from them. Amanda Swana, managing director and founder of Powerpoint Lifestyles, reflects on her remarkable journey from childhood in the Eastern Cape to business leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Born in the Eastern Cape, Amanda recounts the pivotal decision her mother made when Amanda was just eight years old. “My mother made the hard decision to relocate us to KwaZulu-Natal for schooling purposes,” she says. This move was driven by the belief that the educational opportunities in the Eastern Cape at that time were not suitable for the family. Amanda completed her high school education at Durban Academy, located on the Bluff in Durban. She then pursued her tertiary studies, obtaining a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her academic journey did not end there, as she went on to complete her master’s degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. “It was during this time that I also pursued business and entrepreneurship,” Amanda shares. During her high school and university years, Amanda did a lot of promotional work. She was the type of person who could sell anything—even a simple tea bag—and make you believe it was the best tea you’d ever taste. “I never thought of myself as a salesperson,” she explains, “but if I believed in what I was offering, I wanted you to believe in it too.” After working in promotions, Amanda branched into the beauty industry, becoming a nail technician while still in university. Eventually, she found a passion for events management, an area she continues to work in today. She owns an events management company, although she doesn’t consider it work. “That’s where I find rest and creativity,” she says. “There’s something deeply fulfilling about taking a client’s concept, designing it, and seeing it come to life at the event.” Despite her achievements, Amanda remains committed to lifelong learning. One of her biggest dreams is to complete her PhD. “I’m quite the dreamer,” she admits. “I’ve been working on this for some time, and I’m feeling the urge to finish it. Not because I’m running out of time, but because commitments keep piling up.” Amanda’s PhD thesis will expand on her master’s research, exploring career development and the challenges of changing careers mid-life. She reflects on individuals who, like a medical doctor she once encountered, radically shifted careers: “He said to me, ‘I want to be a musician,’ and I realised that many people don’t take that step because they’re paralysed by fear.” Reflecting on her leadership philosophy, Amanda reveals a deep commitment to serving others. “Business is servanthood; leadership is servanthood,” she asserts. This perspective has shaped how she approaches her role as a business leader. “You’re constantly serving, whether it’s a client’s vision or a client’s dream. You’re always in the position of pursuing the ability to serve.” In addition, Amanda’s approach to leadership is not one of management but of guidance and vision. “I don’t believe in micromanaging people,” she states. Instead, she focuses on enabling her team to grow and develop within the organisation. “We foster an environment where team members are gently nudged to do better, whether through further studies or professional development.” This leadership approach extends to how she engages with her team. Meetings at Powerpoint Lifestyles are not hierarchical; instead, they are opportunities for everyone to contribute. “We don’t just report back in meetings. It’s about discussion, brainstorming, and consultation. Everyone adds value, regardless of their role,” she explains. Amanda places a strong emphasis on human relations and the power of connections in both business and personal life. “There is so much value in human relations,” she stresses. “You nurture those relationships that are valuable to you, and you draw strength from them.” In her view, fostering these connections is essential not only in business but also in personal growth. “If you’re going into business, you must value the relationships you build along the way,” she often says. “Don’t take them for granted.” Personal Reflections and Future Goals Amanda’s journey has been one of continuous learning, unlearning, and transformation. “It’s not about reaching a destination,” she reflects. “I used to think that once I achieved a certain goal, I would feel fulfilled. But I came to realise that it’s the journey of becoming that matters.” For Amanda, becoming is about transforming how she sees life and being open to the lessons each moment offers. “Who I am today will not be who I am next year, and that’s the beauty of it,” she says. Her faith plays a central role in her life. “It’s definitely the mercy of God that has brought me this far,” Amanda admits. She recognises that much of her success has come not from following a strict formula but from trusting in her faith and constantly conversing with herself. “The biggest enemy is the mind,” she acknowledges. “We are often our own worst critics, and the first step to success is believing that you can.” Looking to the future, Amanda has clear goals both personally and for her business. Alongside her academic ambitions, she is also working on publishing her first book, which will expand on the research she has conducted on career development. From a business perspective, Powerpoint Lifestyles is looking to expand its operations across various provinces and diversify its skill offering. “We’re testing the market to see where there is potential for growth,” she says. Despite her busy schedule, Amanda still finds time to relax. “I love reading, especially at the beach,” she shares. She also enjoys working out, finding that a gym session can do wonders for both her body and mind. “Balance is key,” she emphasises. In all aspects of her life—whether personal, professional, or spiritual—Amanda Swana remains focused on growth, empowerment, and becoming the best version of herself. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, particularly those looking to make bold career changes or pursue their dreams against the odds. Previous Next

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< Back Boni Mchunu Next BONI MCHUNU, managing director at East Coast Radio (ECR) - KZN's No.1 Hit Music Station, is passionate about KwaZulu-Natal and its people. Boni was born and educated in Pietermaritzburg. She is the youngest of five sisters and after her mother died when she was 10 years old, Boni was brought up by a single dad, who she calls her 'Rockstar'. BONI MCHUNU, managing director at East Coast Radio (ECR) - KZN's No.1 Hit Music Station, is passionate about KwaZulu-Natal and its people. Boni was born and educated in Pietermaritzburg. She is the youngest of five sisters and after her mother died when she was 10 years old, Boni was brought up by a single dad, who she calls her 'Rockstar'. Boni credits her success to her father who encouraged her and her four sisters to take their education seriously. "Growing up poor in Pietermaritzburg, my father taught me that I could only improve my life through education. A statement he made had a profound impact on her as a young girl and has stuck with her ever since - 'The decisions you make about education today, must be the decisions you are happy to live with tomorrow'. This statement, she said, encouraged her to do well in school. The best marketing experience After matriculating in 1997, Boni enrolled at the University of South Africa to study marketing. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing, a diploma in business management and diploma in project management. Recently, Boni attended the international executive leadership development programme at Wits and London business schools. Her first job was with ABSA and her responsibilities related to marketing the financial services of ABSA. This was followed by working for another corporate giant, Unilever. Of her time there, she says, "I believe it was some of the best marketing experience anyone can get, as I worked in different categories from home, personal care to foods." Before joining ECR, Boni was part of the executive team at Tourism KZN. The opportunity to work for the provincial tourism authority, representing KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa, she says was one of the highlights of her professional career. Notably, she got to travel to more than 72 countries around the world and in her own words, "The experience cemented the fact that South Africa is the best country in the world and solidified my pride in being proudly South African." Influencing people's lives Now as, Boni says that she absolutely loves that East Coast Radio has so much influence in the lives of the people living in the province. "I consider this opportunity as a privilege that I will cherish for as long as I live." "ECR gives us the platform to make a difference in people's lives by influencing and connecting KZN to the world, and we bring the world to South Africa, particularly to KZN. We are proudly KZN as we are a brand that considers ourselves as a fabric of KZN that binds people together. KZN's social matters, matter to us, whether funny, sad, social, or lifestyle, are all important to us." "Growing the station's brand awareness is my career highlight. The ECR brand awareness is above 90% across all demographics in KZN. I am glad that the work I've put into making it more diverse, in terms of listenership, has paid off. This is evident in the growth of our audience, largely due to our brand's association with all things related to KZN. I look forward to continue growing the brand even further." Business is business Apart from being a successful businesswoman, Boni is also a superwoman to three kids of her own, and a wife to her loving husband. Boni says that that despite the usual everyday challenges at home, at work and in the community, the greatest challenge that she has faced has been seeing people judging her based on her gender and race. She does not let this get to her and her biggest career highlight is that she has been able to move from different industries with ease. "The experience gained from all these industries has been enormous for me, but most importantly, the experience has taught me that business is business, regardless of the different industries." As a woman in business. Boni says, 'I learnt early on that prospective employers care about whether you've got the ability, willingness and right mindset to do the job at hand." "As women, we all need to believe unconditionally that our passion can create the life we really want. We have the in-built ability to do whatever we put our minds to and need not wait for things to fall into our laps. Opportunities exist and we need to seize those opportunities and make things happen for ourselves, rather than waiting for society's approval." Remain true to yourself However, Boni says that discipline is a bridge between her goals and achieving them, "In everything I do, I believe focus, attitude and discipline has brought me this far." She adds, "I believe in simplicity, authenticity, straight talk and sustainability in everything that I do. Sustainability for me refers to putting systems in place that will build myself and companies that will compete for the future, with or without me. You must remain true to yourself, find mentors for every area of your life and don't waste time on negativity." In reflecting on her future goals Boni says, "One thing I would like to do in this lifetime, is to create a Boni Mchunu Foundation that will assist the underprivileged kids, especially from the township I grew up in, Imbali Township." Boni's motto in life and in business is that failure is merely incomplete success, to be persistent and be grateful for what you have, so good things can manifest. "I believe in positive reinforcement, not letting your past or present situation in life define your future." Previous Next

< Back Youshi Naidoo

< Back Lyse Comins