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Elan Property Group Home "The Blog" Elan Property Group ATTRACTING ATTENTION IN STYLE - MOTOR SENSE Coffee with Grant Dec 9 3 min read GRIEVANCES IN THE WORKPLACE - DRG Outsourcing KZN Business Sense Dec 9 5 min read FESTIVE SEASON RISKS CRIME, SAFETY AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES - Mobi Ventures KZN Business Sense Dec 9 4 min read NEW INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS SPARKED- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Foundation University of KwaZulu-Natal Dec 9 2 min read DEALING WITH THE JONESES TYSON PROPERTIES ADVISES BUYERS ON SPOTTING POTENTIAL PROBLEM NEIGHBOURS Tyson Properties Dec 9 4 min read REINVENTION: AND WHY EVERY GREAT BUSINESS NEEDS IT, INCLUDING OURS- ActionCOACH ActionCOACH Trevor Clark Dec 9 4 min read MOBILE COOLING MADE EASY- SKY TENTS Sky Tents Dec 9 2 min read LABOURNET’S INNOVATIVE PAYROLL SOLUTIONS:REVOLUTIONISING RETAIL OPERATIONS KZN Business Sense Dec 9 3 min read GROUNDED APPROACH TO BOTH LIFE AND BUSINESS- Ocean Driven Media KZN Business Sense Dec 9 3 min read DO YOU KNOW WITH WHOM YOU ARE DOING BUSINESS? -Cox Yeats Attorneys Cox Yeats Attorneys Dec 9 3 min read LEADING WITH HEART,VISION AND PURPOSE Gagasi FM Dec 9 4 min read Minenhle Dlamini's Journey to Gagasi FM Managing Director KZN Business Sense Nov 22 1 min read DURBAN AND CHINA CEMENT GROWING ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP KZN Business Sense Nov 13 2 min read Investment Pledges at the KwaZulu-Natal Conference KZN Business Sense Nov 11 2 min read Empowering KZN's Business Community: The Role of KZN Business Sense KZN Business Sense Nov 5 1 min read INFLUX OF CHEAP IMPORTS AND COUNTERFEIT GOODS KZN Business Sense Nov 3 2 min read DURBAN ANNOUNCED AS AFRICAN HUB FOR ALIBABA’S EXPANSION KZN Business Sense Oct 23 1 min read A good week for Michelle Phillips KZN Business Sense Oct 21 2 min read October Business Masterclass: Energy, Focus & the Future of Digital Growth - Limited Seats Left! KZN Business Sense Oct 20 2 min read AFRISAM CONCRETE SUPPORTS COMPLEX WATER TOWER PROJECT IN GAUTENG KZN Business Sense Oct 20 2 min read A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO BUILDING BETTER BUSINESSES KZN Business Sense Oct 16 5 min read MAKING HISTORY: FIRST PERSON FROM AFRICA ELECTED PRESIDENT IN 100 YEARS KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read DURABLE CANVAS TENTS FOR EVERY NEED KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read NAVIGATING CHANGE: INSIGHTS FROM THE KPMG FAMILY BUSINESS CONFERENCE KZN Business Sense Oct 16 4 min read ‘THE GOLF COAST’ SHOWS POTENTIAL IN KZN KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read THE AWARDS FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED IN MINARA’S 25TH MILESTONE YEAR KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRID TICKS THE BOXES KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read 20 VISION STATEMENTS THAT ACTUALLY INSPIRE (AND HOW YOURS CAN TOO) KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read CASH-IN-TRANSIT HEISTS, HOW KZN BECAME GROUND ZERO KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read THE OUT-SOURCED IN-HOUSE ACCOUNTANT KZN Business Sense Oct 16 4 min read ELAVATING WOMEN IN KWAZULU-NATAL KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read ‘BEYOND THE NOISE’ THEME EXPLORED AT THE KZN TOP BUSINESS LAUNCH KZN Business Sense Oct 16 1 min read CITY’S INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES SHOWCASED INTERNATIONALLY KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read HOW HR CAN SAFEGUARD YOUR ORGANISATION AGAINST FIC VIOLATIONS KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read POWERING FINANCIAL AGILITY AND GROWTH ACROSS KWAZULU-NATAL KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read REFORMING SOUTH AFRICA’S FAILING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT WHEN CAN CONSULTANTS CHARGE TIME-BASED FEES? KZN Business Sense Oct 16 3 min read UNFAIR DISMISSAL IN SOUTH AFRICA: LEGAL PROCESSES AND PRACTICAL TIPS KZN Business Sense Oct 16 5 min read LEADING WITH IMPACT AND PURPOSE KZN Business Sense Oct 16 4 min read MARKING MILESTONES, SHAPING THE FUTURE KZN Business Sense Oct 16 2 min read INGWE Property : Understanding What Matters Most When Buying a Home KZN Business Sense Aug 28 1 min read Meet the Women of Avemel Logistics ! KZN Business Sense Aug 28 1 min read THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MISCONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE KZN Business Sense Aug 22 5 min read A DECADE OF VISION, RESILIENCE, AND GROWTH KZN Business Sense Aug 22 2 min read WORKING ‘ON’ VS ‘IN’ YOUR BUSINESS KZN Business Sense Aug 22 3 min read MEDICAL EMERGENCIES IN THE WORKPLACE: THE GOLDEN HOUR KZN Business Sense Aug 22 3 min read WHY HIRE A SOUTH AFRICAN MEDIA TEAM OVERSEAS? KZN Business Sense Aug 22 3 min read TRUST TERMINATION: WHY IT’S TIME TO ACT KZN Business Sense Aug 22 3 min read MORE THAN JUST SARS: THE FOUR FINANCIAL PILLARS OF BUSINESS KZN Business Sense Aug 22 4 min read NOMINATIONS OPEN KZN Business Sense Aug 22 2 min read

Up Home Up Zanele Luvuno ZANELE LUVUNO has an extensive career spanning over two decades. She has primarily worked in the people space in the area of coaching, talent acquisition, executive search, and partner profiling for transactions. Her broader business portfolio includes e-commerce as well as property investment. Zanele’s client base has included blue chip clients on projects throughout the African continent. She is a vocal figure about transformation in South Africa and has her finger on the pulse particularly about establishing and promoting the future of female leaders. Zanele has been featured in many publications as a thought leader in the national conversations around transformation and gender equality especially as these issues relate to business and careers. HELPING ORGANISATIONS SHIFT She has recently started a new business – Metamorphosis Integrated Solutions. Zanele explains, “Having been in the people space for the last two decades I have seen a shift. As we move into the age of information it’s now all about innovation, it’s about innovative people who can come up with new concepts that are going to change the world. I think we as individuals need to look at how we approach careers and how we approach work and the space that we occupy. The business is really centred around solutions that can help organisations shift – whether its culture, whether its leadership as we move into this new age.” Zanele commented that her business focus has always been around the upliftment of women. She said, “I think that the golden thread that runs through all the work I have done is that I have had a very strong focus on putting women into leadership positions and into business opportunities or board positions to try and create that critical mass of women in that top tier of South African business.” She added that she can give specific numbers and data to quantify her success and that this has been the keyway in which she has made a difference. PLENTY OF CHALLENGES However, says Zanele, she has faced plenty of challenges – some specific to being a woman, some specific to being a black woman as well as socioeconomic challenges. She added that other challenges included raising capital and finding the right people. Although, she added that as she is in the people game that has not been difficult to resolve. Zanele commented, “I think that the challenges are very many. We function very much in a patriarchal society, and it’s been incredibly difficult to get the same opportunity that may be presented to a man. We have to fight harder, scrap harder – demand your seat at the table. It hasn’t been easy to have to constantly justify while you are at the table.” “Very often we are not allowed to take up space and you have to push your way through. As you can imagine that rubs a lot of people the wrong way. But you must really decide what is important to you. Are you determined to take up space? Are you determined to drive what is important to you? Or are you more focussed on the likeability aspect? If you want to succeed you have to be clear about who you are, stand in your truth and find a way to forge forward.” KNOW YOURSELF In speaking of advice to other women, Zanele says that the most important aspect is to know yourself. When you know who you authentically are, it is very difficult for external circumstance to be able to disempower you. She says, “A lot of the disempowerment that we face in business is when we give our power away to situations – we feel that we don’t really belong at the table, or we have imposter syndrome or that someone is doing us a favour, or I need someone to endorse me in order to do. Once you come into a state of knowing who you are, and you are firm in this in all situations, I think that it become so much easier to navigate choppy waters.” Zanele commented that many people say it’s a man’s world and you have got to learn to play a man’s game. However, she says that she does not believe that. “I am a woman; I am comfortable in that fact, and I believe that I can still access opportunities in my authentic self. It probably works better for me to show up authentically then when I try to show up as somebody else.” IMPACT GREATER SOCIETY Speaking of future goals Zanele says that she busy working them out currently. Her coach recently said to her that she had achieved all the goals that she wanted to achieve in this chapter and so she is looking around to see what comes next. She said, “Very interestingly what I think comes next is being able to impact greater society – to have more reach and put my message and my experience out in different ways and on different forums. I think that is a big one for me. I think that those who follow after us shouldn’t have such a difficult path as we have had if we start to tell our stories. So, I am very much focused on building an intellectual property focused business to be able to put the collective intellectual property around women’s stories and the knowledge that we have accumulated out into the world. I want to be able to help people shift their organisations, shift their careers and probably change a bit how we interact with work as a society.” Zanele is married and is mom to a son. While a lot of the work that she does is based in Johannesburg, she moved to Durban before the covid lockdown as she wanted to have a change in pace and lifestyle. In order to create balance in her life Zanele says, “I love being in nature and I am deeply spiritual. I start every day with about two hours meditative walking or practice and mediate throughout the day.” In conclusion, she says, “I say to people that you can do absolutely anything that you set your mind to. I strive to do anything that I set my mind to, and I want to encourage others to do the same.

Chris Tyson’s founding vision was to create a specialist agency that was not only in tune with the needs of the KwaZulu-Natal property market but one that offered clients exceptional service and agents a platform to excelTyson Properties Chris Tyson’s founding vision was to create a specialist agency that was not only in tune with the needs of the KwaZulu-Natal property market but one that offered clients exceptional service and agents a platform to excelStill a proudly KwaZulu-Natal brand but with an ever-expanding national footprint, Tyson Properties is a trailblazer in South Africa’s property sector. In 2025, it celebrates its 20th anniversary. Every year, it has exceeded its forecasts, grown its footprint and increased its market share and service offering. Launched in 2005 with a single Durban office, the company has evolved into a national operation with 29 offices. Yet, it remains strongly invested in its home province which accounts for half of its revenue. The remainder comes from the thriving Gauteng and Cape divisions. Founder and CEO, Chris Tyson, says the company is entering another new age as it embraces market changing technology and artificial intelligence. From the outset, Tyson Properties created a platform for the quality agents that have delivered consistent growth. Now, the aim is to ensure that the entire Tyson Properties family remains both competitive and relevant whilst serving valued clients. An on-the-ground approach sees Tyson Properties continuing to spot those often-unexpected opportunities extending from the hotspots in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape to the nation’s economic hub of Gauteng. Tyson describes KZN as one of the country’s most resilient and stable markets: “The province offers a lot. Property prices are still a lot more affordable than in other parts of South Africa. This, coupled with great weather, a good lifestyle from the beaches to the Berg and some really good schools make KZN a great investment.” Tyson Properties continues to actively rework its business model in KZN to underpin expected growth in coming years. Tyson points out that both national and provincial governments are working strategically to upgrade road networks, specifically the N3 linking Durban with Gauteng. Not only has this seen substantial private sector investment along the route with logistics companies relocating to the Upper Highway area but resulted in residential expansion to key nodes such as Shongweni where the prestigious Westown development is taking shape amongst the former sugar cane fields. The North Coast continues to grow with the launch of the new Club Med resort spurring ever greater interest. “Already, the once-small coastal town of Ballito is abuzz with shopping centres, excellent government and private schools and economic development. While still giving the feel of a coastal town, it has also become an area of choice for working in Johannesburg whilst living on the coast. The airport is only a 15-minute drive away and it’s a quick flight,” Tyson says. There is also a resurgence of interest in the Midlands and specifically in Howick and Nottingham Road. No matter where the change or what the new trend, he is confident that Tyson Properties will never be far away.Full Name of Company: Tyson Properties Nature of Business: Real Estate Services / Products: Purchase, Sale and Renting of Property Date Established: August 2005 Customer Base: Property Buyers and Sellers, Landlords and Tenants KEY PERSONNEL Founder and CEO: Chris Tyson CONTACT DETAILS KZN HEAD OFFICE Physical Address: Station Building, Lion Match Office Park, 892 Umgeni Road, Durban Tel: +27 (0)31 583 2700 E-mail: admin@tysonprop.co.za Website: www.tysonprop.co.za CHRIS TYSON's interest in the property industry started from an early age as his family comes from a property background. Tyson said, "My father had a construction company. My mother was an agent for many years and owned her own agency. I can remember going to property viewings with her as a small boy." In 2001, his own real estate career started as an agent for a small agency in Durban. He then moved to a larger agency, where he built his initial Tyson Properties team. In 2005, the first Tyson Properties office was opened in Durban. Over the past year, Tyson Properties has consolidated its presence in the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng markets and now has 31 offices. Going forward, Tyson Properties is expected to continue as a leader in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial property sector and grow the group's national footprint. In Gauteng, Tyson Properties have extended its footprint drastically and opened a new flagship office in Dunkeld West to accommodate its growth into the Sandton and Parks areas. Tyson Properties is also in negotiations to open its third office in Johannesburg later this year. In addition to marketing residential, commercial and rental properties, Tyson Properties has expanded its service offering to include a property management division that specialises in the administration of a number of exclusive properties and sectional title developments. Although there are many influences on a business success. Tyson says that that it has become a business owner's responsibility to make sure that their business is sustainable by constantly challenging the norm and striving for change and excellence. "Often doing new things means cutting existing budgets to achieve this. We do, however, see this as an advantage and have always used tough times to grow the company to position ourselves better for upturns in the marketplace. One either has to have reserves to ensure sustainability or work within a budget that creates reserves. This however can stunt the growth of a company," says Tyson. Part of ensuring sustainability is apparent in his leadership style, which he says is very relaxed. However, says Tyson, "I expect a lot but also give a lot in return. I look at every employee as a partner." "I also believe that I'm very inclusive and involve the team in driving projects and campaigns. I have always tried to balance the work environment, making it fair for both the agent and the company. This is achieved by supporting my internal team and building partnerships with outsourced agencies such as our marketing agency and public relations consultant." One of the business development advances that is extremely close to his heart is in the development of the newly formed After Sales Division. This division will deal with every aspect of the sale, from the date the sale agreement is signed, to the day that the property transfers, and beyond. "With the increase of first time buyers coming into the market we feel we can add real value here, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible advice and guidance," commented Tyson. Tyson is also committed to giving back to the community, which he says, "is very much a part of who I am and something I am passionate about". Before branching out into real estate, his early working career was for a large non-profit organisation. Consequently, each of the Tyson branches has their own social responsibility projects in their areas. Tyson Properties is also working hard at developing a group initiative. When not at work, Tyson spends time with his family to ensure that his own life is balanced. He concluded, "My personal life is very important to me and I make sure I balance it. I am married and have a son of four and a half years. We are a very homely family and we love to travel. We also enjoy the outdoors and keeping fit."Full Name of Company: Tyson Properties Nature of Business: Real Estate Services / Products: Purchase, Sale and Renting of Property Date Established: August 2005 Customer Base: Property Buyers and Sellers, Landlords and Tenants KEY PERSONNEL Founder and CEO: Chris Tyson CONTACT DETAILS KZN HEAD OFFICE Physical Address: Station Building, Lion Match Office Park, 892 Umgeni Road, Durban Tel: +27 (0)31 583 2700 E-mail: admin@tysonprop.co.za Website: www.tysonprop.co.za Up Home Up Chris Tyson Latest News More About Leaders Still a proudly KwaZulu-Natal brand but with an ever-expanding national footprint, Tyson Properties is a trailblazer in South Africa’s property sector. In 2025, it celebrates its 20th anniversary. Every year, it has exceeded its forecasts, grown its footprint and increased its market share and service offering. Launched in 2005 with a single Durban office, the company has evolved into a national operation with 29 offices. Yet, it remains strongly invested in its home province which accounts for half of its revenue. The remainder comes from the thriving Gauteng and Cape divisions. Founder and CEO, Chris Tyson, says the company is entering another new age as it embraces market changing technology and artificial intelligence. From the outset, Tyson Properties created a platform for the quality agents that have delivered consistent growth. Now, the aim is to ensure that the entire Tyson Properties family remains both competitive and relevant whilst serving valued clients. An on-the-ground approach sees Tyson Properties continuing to spot those often-unexpected opportunities extending from the hotspots in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape to the nation’s economic hub of Gauteng. Tyson describes KZN as one of the country’s most resilient and stable markets: “The province offers a lot. Property prices are still a lot more affordable than in other parts of South Africa. This, coupled with great weather, a good lifestyle from the beaches to the Berg and some really good schools make KZN a great investment.” Tyson Properties continues to actively rework its business model in KZN to underpin expected growth in coming years. Tyson points out that both national and provincial governments are working strategically to upgrade road networks, specifically the N3 linking Durban with Gauteng. Not only has this seen substantial private sector investment along the route with logistics companies relocating to the Upper Highway area but resulted in residential expansion to key nodes such as Shongweni where the prestigious Westown development is taking shape amongst the former sugar cane fields. The North Coast continues to grow with the launch of the new Club Med resort spurring ever greater interest. “Already, the once-small coastal town of Ballito is abuzz with shopping centres, excellent government and private schools and economic development. While still giving the feel of a coastal town, it has also become an area of choice for working in Johannesburg whilst living on the coast. The airport is only a 15-minute drive away and it’s a quick flight,” Tyson says. There is also a resurgence of interest in the Midlands and specifically in Howick and Nottingham Road. No matter where the change or what the new trend, he is confident that Tyson Properties will never be far away. Full Name of Company: Tyson Properties Nature of Business: Real Estate Services / Products: Purchase, Sale and Renting of Property Date Established: August 2005 Customer Base: Property Buyers and Sellers, Landlords and Tenants KEY PERSONNEL Founder and CEO: Chris Tyson CONTACT DETAILS KZN HEAD OFFICE Physical Address: Station Building, Lion Match Office Park, 892 Umgeni Road, Durban Tel: +27 (0)31 583 2700 E-mail: admin@tysonprop.co.za Website: www.tysonprop.co.za Latest News Company News Blog Keep up with the latest trends and insights. 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Mayor: CLLR Thulasizwe Buthelezi KZN Top Business Subscribe Zululand District Municipality Zululand District Municipality borders on the Kingdom of Swaziland, a trading partner of South Africa. The district’s local municipalities comprise eDumbe, uPhongolo, AbaQulusi, Nongoma and Ulundi An Extraordinary Experience Zululand District Municipality borders on the Kingdom of Swaziland, a trading partner of South Africa. The district’s local municipalities comprise eDumbe, uPhongolo, AbaQulusi, Nongoma and Ulundi. The major towns of Vryheid and Ulundi are both well located in relation to the national road and rail networks. Approximately half of the area is under the jurisdiction of traditional authorities, while the remainder is divided between commercially owned farms and conservation areas. Zululand’s rich wildlife attracts many tourists, both international and local. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the largest reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, is a popular destination for big five sightings, and its rhino conservation programme is well known. The Ithala Game Reserve offers an extraordinary experience of geological diversity as the rock formations found here date back 3 000 million years. Zululand is also home to the second oldest reserve in the world, the Pongola Game Reserve. Approximately half the Ulundi Municipal area consists of commercial farms and the area supports a substantial agricultural community. Ulundi town represents the only urban area in the municipal area and therefore plays an important role in the provision of social and economic facilities to the total population of Ulundi. Ulundi lies at the hub of the old Zulu Kingdom and has many cultural resources which are not being capitalised on. The tourism attractions include game reserves, historical and cultural sites, cultural events and guest lodges. The KwaZulu Cultural Museum houses interesting displays relating to Zulu history and archaeology. The beehive huts and the layout of the original Zulu village have been reproduced. The eMakhosini Conservancy (Valley of the Zulu Kings), birthplace of King Shaka, is a public private sector project that aims to preserve the culture and history of the Zulu people. Nongoma Municipality shares its name with the town of Nongoma, the seat of the municipality. The municipality is the home of King Goodwill Zwelithini, the leader of the Zulu nation, and his royal palaces are among the tourist attractions in the region. EDumbe Municipality is situated in the north western part of KwaZulu-Natal. Most of population live in the rural hinterland of the municipality and lack basic services and facilities. Forestry and agriculture are the two key economic activities. There is a small manufacturing sector in Paulpietersburg/eDumbe and an informal sector providing a convenience service to the public. Agriculture and tourism form the basis for the uPhongolo Municipality’s economy. Located around Pongola and the Pongola River, the municipality contains areas of commercial agriculture. While much of the agricultural activities consist of sugar cane farming, smaller areas are under citrus and crop planting. The uPhongolo Municipality has within its area of jurisdiction two key tourism attractions; the Ithala Game Reserve and the Pongolapoort Dam. These attractions are complemented by many private game farms and game reserves on which several lodges and other tourism related facilities are located. AbaQulusi is a largely rural community with low income levels endowed with various resources, which have not yet been fully developed. AbaQulusi’s tourism potential lies in its well-developed infrastructure, links with the Battlefields Route, its conference potential, eco-tourism and outdoor adventure events. CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: B400 uGagane Street, Ulundi, 3838 Postal Address: Private Bag X76, Ulundi, 3838 Tel: +27 (0)35 874 5500 E-mail: info@zululand.org.za Website: www.zululand.org.za Back

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< 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

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