< Back Karen Hammond Group Head of People at the Meridian Group Karen Hammond says that family is the heartbeat of everything she does. “I’m married to a wonderful husband, Trevor, and we have two incredible children,” she reflects, her voice warm and full of affection. “They are my anchor, my joy, and my constant inspiration.” Today, Karen serves as Group Head of People at the Meridian Group, a company she describes with pride and conviction. “Meridian is more than a business,” she explains. “We exist to make brands thrive, to nurture our people, and to give back to our communities. We provide services like merchandising, sales, data analytics, and in-store execution to help Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMC) brands thrive and increase sales. When a customer walks into a store and finds exactly what they need, that’s not just business, that is the human touch behind every shelf and every smile. That is what makes our work meaningful.” Her role, she says, is more than a career, it is a calling. “This aligns so deeply with who I am and what I value,” Karen reflects. “At Meridian, we are not just building a company; we are cultivating a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.” She lights up when speaking of her team. “Our merchandisers are extraordinary,” she says with pride. “When you next visit a store, look for Meridian. They are the absolute best in the business.” A JOURNEY WOVEN WITH GROWTH AND GRATITUDE Karen’s career spans over 25 years in human resources, with 15 of those in senior leadership. “I was headhunted for this position, it felt like a blessing,” she recalls.Her professional path has been rich and diverse, beginning at Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), University of KwaZulu-Natal, PwC, Nedbank, moving to Dimension Data, then Sun International, and now into Meridian, each step reinforcing her belief that people are at the heart of every great organisation. Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: “If you treat your people well, they will take care of your business.” It is this people-first approach that has earned her admiration across industries and shaped her leadership philosophy. Interestingly, human resources was not her original plan. “I dreamed of becoming a nurse,” she says with a laugh, “but I quickly realised I could not handle the sight of blood. My love for people guided me into human resources instead, and I have never looked back.” A HEART FOR COMMUNITY Karen’s vision extends far beyond boardrooms and business meetings. She dreams of one day opening a centre for the homeless, a haven offering warm meals, safe beds, and skills development opportunities. “I want to give people the tools to create opportunities for themselves,” she says with quiet determination. “Cooking, sewing, basic computer skills, these are simple things that can change a life. I believe I will achieve this one day.” Her spirit of empowerment is already reflected in Meridian Group’s community partnerships, including initiatives with the Restory Foundation and eDeaf Empower and Employ. “Through these programmes, we provide learnerships and practical experience to young people, many of whom have now become permanent members of the Meridian family. It is something I am deeply proud of.” FAITH, FAMILY, AND MENTORSHIP Faith and family remain Karen’s anchors. “My inspiration comes from God, from my husband, children and extended family and friends. They remind me daily to give my best in everything I do.” She also pays tribute to the mentors who shaped her journey, particularly Vangeli Chiliza, former human resources director at the Durban ICC. “He believed in me when I was still very new to human resources,” she reflects. “His guidance and belief in my potential changed the trajectory of my career. I carry that gratitude with me always." TURNING CHALLENGES INTO TRIUMPHS Karen’s life has not been without its challenges. In 2019, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, a moment that tested every ounce of her resilience. “Hearing the word cancer changes everything,” she says softly. “But I realised that if I allowed fear to control me, I couldn’t continue uplifting others the way I wanted to.” With courage, faith, and optimism, she faced the battle head-on and won. “I focused on healing and on positivity,” she says. “Today, I am a survivor. I am living proof that challenges can become triumphs, you can overcome them, and I did.” A LEGACY OF EMPOWERMENT Recognition has followed her throughout her career, including the ‘Natural Born Winner’ Award at Nedbank for transforming people strategy and boosting morale, yet humility defines her approach. “Accolades are wonderful, but for me, the real reward is seeing people grow,” she says. “When someone finds their confidence, lands their dream job, or discovers their purpose, that’s what truly fulfills me.” To young women building their careers, Karen offers timeless advice: “Do not let anyone else define who you are. You define yourself. Let your beauty shine from within. Be fearless. Be unstoppable.” LOOKING AHEAD As she looks toward the future, Karen’s dreams are rooted in simplicity and purpose. “I want to continue making a difference, but also to spend time with my family, travel, and enjoy the simple things,” she says. “The sea restores me. Long walks on the beach and time with loved ones, that is what nourishes my soul. Those are life’s true treasures.” With a soft smile, she reflects on her journey, one shaped by purpose, faith, and a genuine love for people. “My life has been guided by those three things,” she says. “And that, to me, is everything.” Previous Next

Durban ICCThe Durban ICC has made an immense contribution to both the provincial and national economies since its foundation. In spite of the challenging economic environment, the Durban ICC has managed to show a profit consecutively in the last seven financial periods. Rakharebe said, “I believe our continued success is a result of a concerted effort between our staff, our strategic partners in the City and Province and the loyal support of our clients. This, coupled with diligent management and sound financial controls at all levels of the organisation all help to contribute to the overall success of the Durban ICC. In addition, Rakharebe is well aware of the challenges of a being a woman leader in the often male dominated world of business. She commented, “As a woman, you are gifted; you are a natural lifegiver and whatever you give life to will increase and grow. So whatever challenges you face as a woman, you know how to manoeuvre, whether it’s leading a company or propelling a cause. I believe a woman influences everything she touches.” Empowering others to achieve their highest performance by instilling confidence in all of her team is an important part of Rakharebe’s daily activities. “I believe I have an ability to get the best out of people, enabling them to perform at their optimum. My staff tells me that I lead with love and respect. By loving and respecting my staff I hope to bring the best out of them, which ultimately benefits the organisation,” said Rakharebe. “But the most important thing in remaining Africa’s Leading Convention Centre is that we exceed our clients’ expectations and provide an exceptional experience for each and every event we host,” said Rakharebe. She continued, “I am proud that we had the opportunity to host the Africa’s Travel Indaba, the Sustainable Living Exhibition and the African Renaissance Concert in May. Looking ahead, I am also excited about some of our upcoming events, including the AfricaBio Convention, the World Conference on Drowning Prevention and the United Cities and Local Government Congress 2019.” Rakharebe strongly believes that the Durban ICC has an important role to play in promoting sustainable economic growth for eThekwini including job creation. Rakharebe commented, “I would like to see meaningful enterprise development for SMMEs taking place at a grass-roots level. The Durban ICC has always recognised that the growth of the South African economy is largely dependent on the extent to which historically disadvantaged South Africans participate meaningfully in its growth. However, in order to grow it is also necessary to facilitate a positive future business development environment to attract both domestic and international investment in Durban and South Africa.” “Whilst we celebrate all the good strides we have made in business, we must be mindful that there is still a lot more that needs to be done.” concluded Rakharebe. Up Home Up Latest News Durban ICC VISION We are a world-class convention, exhibition, and entertainment centre, where the World meets Africa. MISSION To create inspiring convention, exhibition and entertainment experiences that exceed our customers’ expectations in an innovative, sustainable, and proudly multi-cultural African way. Lindiwe Rakharebe AFRICA’S LEADING CONVENTION CENTRE Opened by former President Nelson Mandela on the 26 November 1997, the Durban ICC was South Africa’s first International Convention Centre and has played a pioneering role in attracting international events to our shores since its inception. The Durban ICC is a world-class facility, renowned for its high standards of service excellence and has successfully staged some of the world’s most prestigious and complex events. The Durban ICC complex offers the largest flat floor, column free multi-purpose event space in Africa. Incorporating the Durban International Convention Centre, the Durban ICC Arena and Durban Exhibition Centre, the complex offers over 112 000m 2 of flexible exhibition and meeting space. The Centre is a versatile venue of enormous dimensions, flexible enough to meet any need, no matter how extraordinary. International conventions, exhibitions, sporting events, concerts and special occasions of every kind can be accommodated. Flexibility and versatility are key factors in the design of this state-of-the-art, technology-driven centre. Over the years, the Durban ICC has consistently been recognised for both its operational excellence and its positive social and economic impact, including consistent clean audit opinions from the Auditor-General of South Africa, numerous World Travel Awards, and its recent recognition as ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2025’. The Durban ICC was also named the winner of the ‘Employer of Choice: Public Sector Organisations’ category at the prestigious Future of HR Awards 2025. As part of its ongoing commitment to excellence, the Durban ICC is five-star graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa and holds a Gold Certification from the AIPC Quality Standards programme, the highest level of accreditation in the global conventions industry. The Centre also proudly maintains four ISO certifications, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, and ISO 45001, making it the only convention centre in South Africa to hold all four, reflecting its leadership in quality management, environmental responsibility, food safety, and occupational health and safety. The Durban ICC has also been awarded the prestigious Green Star Existing Building certification by Green Building Council of South Africa. The Durban ICC Arena offers full technical capacity for live broadcasts and house lighting suitable for television production. With four on-site generators providing full back-up power, the Centre ensures uninterrupted service even during power disruptions. The on-site business centre continues to offer internet facilities, banking, foreign exchange, and medical services to support delegates. The Durban ICC consistently delivers a five-star events experience, exceeding client expectations in an innovative, sustainable, and proudly multi-cultural African way. Over nearly three decades, the Centre has hosted a wide spectrum of high-profile gatherings, from international summits and trade shows to cultural showcases, making a significant contribution to Durban’s economy and global reputation. World Trade Center Durban During June 2025, the Durban ICC obtained the licence to operate a World Trade Center (WTC) under the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). This milestone positions Durban as the only city in South Africa and by extension southern Africa, to hold a WTC licence, placing the city in a strategic position to lead global trade and investment facilitation. The establishment of the World Trade Center Durban is intended to build on the Durban ICC’s proven track record as Africa’s leading convention centre and its significant contribution to economic growth, trade, investment, and job creation. The WTC Durban will function as a year-round international trade and investment hub, complementing the Durban ICC’s existing events, conferences, and exhibitions ecosystem. WTC Durban Service Offerings Trade Desk and Trade Services International Events and Trade Shows Business Incubation and Trade Facilitation Services Office Rentals and Co-Working Spaces Trade Missions and Corporate Matchmaking Events Membership Programme and WTC Club CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC Complex, 45 Bram Fischer Road, Durban Tel: +27 (0)31 360 1000 E-mail: sales@icc.co.za Website: www.icc.co.za Leaders Profile Latest News Company News Blog Keep up with the latest trends and insights. Check out our blog today! 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Brahman Hills Gardens, Spa, Hotel & Villas Up Home Up Latest News Brahman Hills Gardens, Spa, Hotel & Villas VISION To build a remarkable business for our children’s children that will still be shifting lives 100 years from now. MISSION Our Massive Transformative Purpose: To Shift Lives. Our business shifts the lives of our people, our guests, our strategic partners, our community and our shareholders. CEO: Orrin Cottle ED: Onwaba Gonyora REDEFINING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN KWAZULU-NATAL Brahman Hills Gardens, Spa, Hotel & Villas has grown from humble beginnings into a place shaped by a massive transformative purpose and a deep love for the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Originally known as Mount West Inn, a modest, two-star roadside motel, the property was acquired by Iain and Carol Buchan in 2010, who had a vision to create something far more meaningful. After extensive refurbishment, it became The Wind-mills, offering upgraded accommodation, wedding and conferencing facilities. In 2014, the estate was reintroduced as Brahman Hills, a name that reflected its evolution into a sanctuary of serenity, wellness and excellence within the Blue Crane Nature Reserve. Today, Brahman Hills brings together five-star accommodation, world-class event spaces, award-winning gardens, wellness experiences, memorable dining and a strong commitment to sustainability. A Shared Purpose For Brahman Hills, success isn’t only about building an extraordinary destination, but about creating lasting value for its people, its guests, its community and the land it calls home. Founder Iain Buchan has played a critical role in shaping the long-term vision for the property and creating something that’ll matter for our children’s children. CEO Orrin Cottle leads operational excellence and strategic direction, while Executive Director Onwaba Gonyora drives sales, marketing and stakeholder engagement, helping to grow and protect the Brahman Hills brand. Together, they’ve nurtured a culture of ownership, resilience and innovation, built on the belief that real success should be win-win… for guests, staff, communities, the environment and the business. Products and Services Brahman Hills offers a complete five-star hospitality experience, bringing together accommodation, events, wellness, dining and nature-led experiences in one destination. Its offering includes 30 hotel rooms, eight 5-star Classic Villas and four 5-star Premium Signature Villas; distinctive venues for weddings, celebrations, conferences, board meetings, product launches and retreats; a selection of restorative treatments at Healing Earth transformative wellness Spa at Brahman Hills; culinary excellence at Skyfall Restaurant, the Casual Dining Restaurant, underground wine cellar, bar and lounge; and access to the award-winning Legacy Garden, outdoor sculptures, wildlife, walking experiences and the natural beauty of the Blue Crane Nature Reserve. Excellence and Innovation Brahman Hills leads with a rare mix of purpose, excellence and innovation. Its purpose is reflected in how it operates: 85% off the grid, powered by solar energy, with chemical-free gardens, borehole water, Bokashi food-waste recycling and wastewater purification. It also supports its surrounding communities through The Unlimited Child, reaching 33 local crèches. Its innovation is clear in projects like the Legacy Garden, created by more than 200 staff during lockdown, and the multi-million-rand Serenity Garden, a 22-hectare nature and wellness destination with the potential to draw visitors to the Midlands and South Africa. Few hospitality destinations bring all of this together so meaningfully: 5-star quality, environmental care, community upliftment and a bold vision for sustainable tourism. Achievements and Awards 2026 The Tourism & Travel Green Lung initiative: second flagship site, led by Sigma International 2025 KZN Top Business Awards: Renewable Efficiency – Green Initiatives Destination Deluxe Awards 2025: Spa of the Year 2025 Best Upcoming Wedding Venue at the 2025 TopVendor Wedding Awards Publication of Brahman Hills: The Making of a World-Class Garden (2025) Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden: one of only two in South Africa Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden of the Year Competition 2023: Overseas Regional Winner Les Nouvelles Esthétiques Spa Awards 2023: Best Boutique Hotel Spa Lux Global Spa Awards 2022: four awards World Luxury Spa Awards 2022: Best Luxury Holistic Spa Future Goals Looking ahead, Brahman Hills is bringing its boldest vision to life with the Serenity Garden, a 22-hectare conservation, wellness and eco-tourism project set to become a landmark destination in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Centred around what is expected to be the world’s largest labyrinth, indigenous gardens and more than five kilometres of walkways, the project will offer visitors a space to reconnect with nature while supporting biodiversity, creating jobs, growing local enterprise and strengthening the region’s appeal as a nature-based tourism destination. CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: N3 Exit 132, Upper Notties, Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal Tel: +27 (0)33 266 6965 E-mail: reservations@brahmanhills.co.za Website: www.brahmanhills.co.za Leaders Profile Latest News Company News Blog Keep up with the latest trends and insights. Check out our blog today! Read More Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Up Home Up Anele Msweli In 2017 Anele started the brand as passion project while she was living in China. The niche brand has developed into a full-time business with growing demand for its products. Anele and her three sisters were raised by their mother in Montclair, where she attended Mowat Park High. She then attended Rhodes University, where she completed a Bachelor of Earth Sciences degree. The name ‘Mare & Itis’ has its origins in Anele’s student days at Rhodes. She explains, ‘Mare’ is word students at Rhodes use to meaning a fun time. ‘Itis’ is used to describe that sleepy feeling one gets after eating a large meal; “magie vol, ogies toe”. I decided to put these two concepts together to create something that is quint essentially me. I love a good time and I love food.” After completing her degree, Anele volunteered for Greenpeace Africa. She says, ‘The most memorable part of this journey was on board the Rainbow Warrior: I learnt so much from sailing with an eclectic and multinational crew.” ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS In 2016 Anele moved to Harbin, one of the most northerly cities in China, which as it is situated near Siberia has long and freezing winters. The temperature can reach a very low -40 degrees centigrade. During this time, Anele was using Chinese products for her skin and hair care until she developed allergic reactions to these including her hair starting to fall out. In addition, Anele found it difficult to find suitable cleaning products especially as she was unable to read the labels on the products she was using. This is when, Anele explained, she decided to make her own cleaning products using all natural ingredients. The first product was the prototype for the popular Zesty Kitchen cleaner, which she made from vinegar and lemon. The small business grew from there with requests from friends to make additional products. Countless hours of research led her to a love for essential oils and natural products. Anele then moved to Wuqing, a small district in Tianjin, where she worked long hours as a Montessori English teacher and training coordinator. However, the demand for her products grew and she started selling them in a local market as well as online. ALL OR NOTHING In 2020 Anele’s visit to South Africa for a wedding – with one suitcase – coincided with outbreak of Covid which meant that she was unable to return to China. This also mean that she needed to focus on her fledgling business in order to earn an income. “The year 2020 will always remain a significant year for me and for the brand. It was all or nothing, and I have learnt so much about entrepreneurship and resilience,” explained Anele. The online business has now grown into a range of 45 products including essential oils, linen, and room sprays without alcohol as well as candles and diffusers. Mare & Itis Shoppe is inspired by everything natural. “The products are non-toxic, eco-conscious as well as cruelty-free. I use plant-based ingredients which are biodegradable.” In order to be sustainable all products are supplied in glass bottles, which are reused when returned to her. As a ‘garage’ business Anele is responsible for all aspects of the day to day running. She formulates and tests all products, does the packaging, runs accounts as well as handles all logistics and social media marketing. Apart from her online store, Anele has a number of instore stockists around the country. JUST DO YOUR BEST In speaking of who inspires her Anele says that she loves listening to podcasts including those by Oprah and interior decorator Karin Bohn. She added that she is inspired by her partner who is also an entrepreneur. Anele commented, “However it’s the day-to-day people that are trying to just make things work, the people who just do their best who inspire me the most.” A major challenge in her entrepreneurial journey is that she has not had any funding and has had to rely on her own resources. Other challenges included, “Surviving through Covid which was a major challenge especially as being a non-essential business I experienced shortages in packaging. The rand price and the economy are a constant challenge!” However, she believes that her success has been based on her perseverance as well as being consistent. “It’s important to keep up the same pace no matter what ’waves’ you face,” said Anele. FOLLOW THE DREAM Looking to the future, Anele has set huge goals for herself. As she is really proud of her products and would like to showcase them in the UAE, Anele has obtained an export/ import licence. However, in order to follow her dream, she would have to increase the production of her products substantially. Her advice to young people considering an entrepreneurial journey would be to ‘just start’. “You can learn as you go and figure things out. But you need to set goals for yourself. I am constantly pushing myself to achieve and set new goals at the beginning of each year and again every three months.” In her free time, Anele makes sure to keep both her brain and her hands busy. She enjoys listening to podcasts and reading and loves to sew, knit as well as spends time at the gym and enjoys a regular 5km walk on the Durban promenade every Sunday.

As head of Retail and Business Banking in KwaZulu-Natal, Victoria is responsible for overseeing operations across the personal and business banking segments including the bank's extensive branch network, ATMs, private banking suites and small and medium enterprisesVictoria NgwenyaAs head of Retail and Business Banking in KwaZulu-Natal, Victoria is responsible for overseeing operations across the personal and business banking segments including the bank's extensive branch network, ATMs, private banking suites and small and medium enterprisesVICTORIA NGWENYA credits her father for his role in her success. "From an early age, my father instilled in me an appreciation of the value of a great education and a strong work ethic. I wouldn't be where I am today without having either of these and, of course, lots of luck." As head of Retail and Business Banking in KwaZulu-Natal, Victoria is responsible for overseeing operations across the personal and business banking segments including the bank's extensive branch network, ATMs, private banking suites and small and medium enterprises. It's been a journey, and she's had to work hard to earn her stripes in the corporate world, but she's had some impressive role models. "Admittedly, it's been a great help and source of inspiration to have phenomenal leadership in banking today." Changing the narrative "Financial services is a tough industry," she says, "and one that, in the past, marginalised a lot of black people, particularly women. But there's a wave of incredible executives, both women and men, that are deliberate about and committed to changing the narrative. I draw lot of inspiration and courage from these leaders for their resoluteness." "Our very own, Sim Tshabalala CEO of Standard Bank, is an absolute icon, and Funeka Montjane, our Chief Executive of Personal and Business Banking, is a remarkable visionary and leader. She started out in banking very young and has had a long impressive career." Victoria also singles out Raisibe Morathi, CFO of Nedbank. "Raisibe has played a critical role in my personal growth and in my career development. She's been very instrumental as a mentor and has taken a keen interest in me and selflessly guided me up the corporate ladder." Since joining Standard Bank, Victoria says she's also very fortunate to work with a very inspiring leader, Imraan Noorbhai. "He's taken a very hands-on approach to immerse me in the retail business. My previous experience is in corporate and investment banking, and retail banking is quite different - this is a people business and it is driven by volume. It's fantastic and a great privilege to work with Imraan who has a wealth of knowledge in this business." Invest in yourself and your career A firm believer in continually investing in yourself and your career, Victoria is inspired by phenomenal women. "Women have always been marginalised, and we need to work a lot harder to earn our place at the table than men do. That's the reality of the corporate journey. It has certainly changed somewhat over the last few years," she concedes, "but we still have to do ten times more than men to succeed. We need a stronger work ethic and more flexibility than men." There's still a lot to be done Victoria considers herself fortunate to work for an organisation that appreciates, supports and promotes talent, especially black female talent, but she points out that young male black talent is often sidelined as well. "The talent that young black women bring to the boardroom table is all too often undermined," says Victoria, "and corporate South Africa is missing out on what they have to offer. I'm proud of what I've accomplished. I've come a long way as a woman executive in banking. But the road remains hard and long, and there's a lot more that needs to be done; women are still under-represented at executive level in most corporates globally. We need to lift each other up and be deliberate about getting more women into executive seats. That's how we'll make the biggest change." When asked about work-life balance, Victoria shakes her head. "That's the biggest myth ever for a woman." But she also points out that she's extremely lucky to have a supportive partner whose also her biggest cheerleader and a very active and involved parent. "Without him, I wouldn't be able to work the long hours and do all the travelling my job requires of me." Victoria is also fortunate to have a great support structure in the form of family and friends who are always ready to step in when they're needed. "So no, I don't have a great work-life balance, but I prioritise. It's important for me to have time for myself, doing things that refuel me - be it gym or meditation. Equally important is time with my family and friends. And I also find time to plan how I want to give back to other young women. It can't just be about me; true success for me is about the power of the collective." Victoria points out that women tend to be very hard on themselves, and if she could give one piece of advice to her younger self it would be this: "Be kind to yourself. Spend more time discovering your purpose, your passions and what makes you happy. Own your interests and make time for them while you're young." Cheryl Govender CHERYL GOVENDER is the founder and owner of The Cake House in Pietermaritzburg. She is a qualified chef and professional cake artist. The Cake House has become a leading provider of designer cakes including engineered life-size cakes. Cheryl's exceptional cakes, each a masterpiece, have been featured in magazines and on television, and The Cake House is recognised as a leader in new age sugarcraft. Cheryl is inspired by successful bakeries and cake artists. She explains, "This is a tough industry and requires not only talent, but a business mind, people skills, market insight, tenacity, and continuous learning and growth." One of her biggest inspirations is Buddy Valastro, an American baker who is the star of the reality television series 'Cake Boss'. Be clear about what must be achieved Cheryl believes she got to where she is now and reached her goals by being clear about what she needed to achieve and why she needed to achieve them. She says her career started when she was fourteen when she was handed down decorating tools that her sister no longer needed. "Although I was a real tomboy, beating the boys at their own games in the streets, I did girly stuff when I went home, like playing with cake decorating tools and my dolls," she laughed. Cheryl learned about sugar art by reading books from the municipal library and often left the kitchen in a mess after experimenting. Her Consumer Studies teacher recognised Cheryl's talent; arranged for her to attend a cake decorating course, and gave her a toolset, which she treasures to this day. This teacher, now a retired school principal, adopted Cheryl as a daughter, helped her to believe in herself, and became her mentor to this day. Cheryl won a Consumer Studies Inter School Award in matric due to her passion for cake decorating, but at that time she considered it a hobby, not a career. After a year at college, Cheryl married and became a mother. She joined the corporate world but kept on making decorated cakes as a hobby to supplement her income. When her son was two years old, Cheryl entered and won the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show sugarcraft competition. This led to her teaching sugarcraft on a part-time basis at the now FET College in Northdale, something she continued passionately for 25 years. This Cheryl said, was fulfilling: "empowering women has always been close to my heart". Focus on one thing and do it well Cheryl gained wide experience in the corporate world, including ten years in shipping and international travel, before she started her own export business. This business crashed during the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and she "fell back on her hands", starting a food catering business that also provided cakes. Cheryl made a few designer cakes assuming there was little market for these due to the high prices, but word of her quality and expertise spread and orders increased. A traumatic divorce, the demands of being involved in catering, wedding décor, training and making cakes at the same time, made her realise that she needed to streamline her activities. In 2012 she decided to focus on one thing only and do it well and opened The Cake House. Cheryl, a single mom had herself, her mother's assistance, two children, and a house. As she had lost her vehicle, Cheryl went everywhere in running shoes while carrying cake ingredients and other items in a backpack. Nothing was handed to her; she had no money and could not get a bank loan. Cheryl understood the risks involved but her faith and trust in God helped her. She managed to buy all her industrial baking equipment from a helpful appliance store on a three-month cash basis. Her business remains debt-free to this day. Business skills are unrelated to gender In Cheryl's view, women and men need the same business approach, as the skills required for a successful business are unrelated to gender. "Tenacity, hard work, honesty, patience and endurance are equally required from men and women." She does, however, concede that women face more challenges. She has had to face abuse, being a mother, and a divorce. Achieving a work-life balance boils down to discipline for Cheryl. "It is necessary to make time for your family and yourself, and also to rest, but not working can be scary for a business owner with much to do," she says. "I've had to learn to set boundaries, say no, and cut myself off from work when it's time to relax and unwind." Gardening, time with her family and puppies, and doing things outside of the business help create a balance. Brand ambassador Cheryl is happy with what she has accomplished thus far and readily give others credit. Without her mother, she could not have set up The Cake House. Without the help of her husband Alan, her family, and staff members, she would not have been able to grow the business. She feels honoured having recently being appointed a brand ambassador with royal status, for Rolkem Colours, one of the world's largest food colourant providers. While Cheryl is satisfied with the place she has reached, she is not comfortable about remaining there. Cheryl dreams of making the province proud of The Cake House as a tourism attraction. With a growing support structure in place, she is prepared to take risks within her means and take the business to the next level. Back

This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. < Back Brian Chung VP Product 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. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. info@mysite.com 123-456-7890

The EThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC) is a non-profit company with the mandate to support and promote the maritime industry within Durban although at times it has a reach to other areas of KwaZulu-NatalEThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC)Zenzile Gwamanda Acting Managing Director EThekwini Maritime ClusterThe EThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC) is a non-profit company with the mandate to support and promote the maritime industry within Durban although at times it has a reach to other areas of KwaZulu-Natal. EMC champions and advocates for the maritime industry through bridging the gap between industrial policy from government and the private sector, thereby unleashing the economic growth in the maritime industry. Since its inception EMC has continued to respond to international best practice within clustering models within the maritime industry and has created sub clusters along the value chain. The concept of clustering is widely used across the world to unleash economic growth that assists in job creation and enterprise development. The objectives of EMC are to: • Spearhead economic transformation through maritime enterprise development initiatives • Promote the maritime industry locally, nationally and globally • Contribute to an inclusive maritime training and skills development that will afford equal opportunity to all • Facilitate marine manufacturing by promoting local shipbuilding, ship repair and boat building to increase employment and economic growth • Contribute towards the promotion of marine and coastal tourism • Promote research capacity in the above programmes for the maritime sector PROGRAMMES OF THE ETHEKWINI MARITIME CLUSTER EMC has four programmes but is currently looking at incorporating Marine and Coastal Tourism as the fifth programme and they are: 1. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT This programme is positioned to spearhead economic transformation in the maritime sector through Enterprise Development initiatives, by identifying projects and business opportunities that can benefit small businesses, which include youth and women businesses, assisting the transformation agenda in the maritime industry. In 2015 EMC established the incubator and business accelerator programmes to assist small businesses to enter the maritime industry. Candidates on these projects are receiving training and mentoring to develop their business skills and ensure sound enterprise practises. The project Entrepreneur Me, was initiated which addresses the needs of unemployed graduates. Unemployed engineering graduates have since set up their own enterprises and EMC is assisting with their incubation as well as market access. 2. INDUSTRY PROMOTION This programme is positioning Durban as a Smart Port City, which will optimise the port-city territories and the constant cargo flows passing through Durban. Further to this EMC hosts workshops, conferences, and events to provide networking opportunities to facilitate knowledge and port information sharing through collaborative engagements. Collaborative working among stakeholders in the maritime industry was one of the key messages in this year’s annual EMC Women in Maritime webinar. The webinar was themed ‘Women Charting a Course Towards Collaboration’. This prestigious event was held in August and was broadcasted live on the EMC Facebook page. 3. TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT The Training & Skills Development programme facilitates capacity building within the sector by providing the necessary intervention to position Durban as a Centre of Maritime Education. This will contribute to inclusive Maritime Training and Skills that will afford equal opportunity that will unleash and improve the capacity building. A key deliverable of this programme is to develop the City as a centre of excellence in maritime education. We have set projects to achieve this by assisting at High School Level as well as working with Tertiary Institutions in KwaZulu-Natal to position and market the offering world-wide. We also have a graduate placement programme that is active in assisting graduates to obtain experience in and of the maritime industry and we do our best to retain such skill within the Maritime Sector. EMC, in partnership with the Department of Education, UKZN, DUT, Transnet Maritime School of Excellence, South African Association of Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) facilitate educator’s workshops, as an intervention to capacitate maritime educators. This is in line with EMC’s mandate to improve education and training for the maritime industry and to enable talented people to enter the industry, starting with High School level. EMC continues to facilitate a collaborative engagement of relevant stakeholders, even global stakeholders in order to advance skills development in the maritime sector. As EMC we believe we can do more in the future with the industry’s support and efforts in cohesive collaboration. 4. MARINE MANUFACTURING The objective of this programme is to factor the development and growth of the boat and ship building and ship repair sectors which offer good opportunities for employment creation. EMC is currently working on setting up a Boat Building Park in Durban closer to mooring and launching facilities, which will position our boat builders as world class competitors. INNOVATION EMC also intends to contribute immensely in bringing innovation to the forefront of doing business at the port in this industry as we are moving towards the fourth industrial revolution. The Cluster encourages every young innovative thinker within the sector of expertise to be an ambassador of change and to be part of spearheading the innovations for a sustainable blue oceans economy. In doing so, EMC has partnered with Innovate Durban for an annual challenge where young innovators collaborate in solving real maritime operations related issues. The significant of this development and innovative initiative is to encourage maritime research and provide problem solving for a sustainable economic growth of this industry. Full Name of Company: EThekwini Maritime Cluster Nature of Business: Non-profit company Services / Products: Maritime industry development platform Date Established: 4 June 2008 Customer Base: Businesses within the maritime industry Memberships: Durban Chamber; AIVP B-BBEE Status: Socio-Economic Development 100% / Enterprise and Supplier Development 100% VISION To be the knowledge and innovation hub for the South African Maritime sector, globally. MISSION To be the centre of knowledge and innovation that fosters collaborative economic growth through world class programmes for the Maritime sector. KEY PERSONNEL Acting Managing Director: Zenzile Gwamanda Financial Manager: Ubucule Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors Inc. CONTACT DETAILS Address: 1601 The Marine, 22 Dorothy Nyembe Street, Durban, 4000 Tel: +27 (0)31 301 0950/09 E-mail: info@maritimecluster.co.za Website: www.maritimecluster.co.za Zenzile Gwamanda Acting Managing Director EThekwini Maritime Cluster A Champion For The Maritime Industry The EThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC) is a non-profit company with the mandate to support and promote the maritime industry within Durban although at times it has a reach to other areas of KwaZulu-Natal. EMC champions and advocates for the maritime industry through bridging the gap between industrial policy from government and the private sector, thereby unleashing the economic growth in the maritime industry. Since its inception EMC has continued to respond to international best practice within clustering models within the maritime industry and has created sub clusters along the value chain. The concept of clustering is widely used across the world to unleash economic growth that assists in job creation and enterprise development. The objectives of EMC are to: • Spearhead economic transformation through maritime enterprise development initiatives • Promote the maritime industry locally, nationally and globally • Contribute to an inclusive maritime training and skills development that will afford equal opportunity to all • Facilitate marine manufacturing by promoting local shipbuilding, ship repair and boat building to increase employment and economic growth • Contribute towards the promotion of marine and coastal tourism • Promote research capacity in the above programmes for the maritime sector PROGRAMMES OF THE ETHEKWINI MARITIME CLUSTER EMC has four programmes but is currently looking at incorporating Marine and Coastal Tourism as the fifth programme and they are: 1. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT This programme is positioned to spearhead economic transformation in the maritime sector through Enterprise Development initiatives, by identifying projects and business opportunities that can benefit small businesses, which include youth and women businesses, assisting the transformation agenda in the maritime industry. In 2015 EMC established the incubator and business accelerator programmes to assist small businesses to enter the maritime industry. Candidates on these projects are receiving training and mentoring to develop their business skills and ensure sound enterprise practises. The project Entrepreneur Me, was initiated which addresses the needs of unemployed graduates. Unemployed engineering graduates have since set up their own enterprises and EMC is assisting with their incubation as well as market access. 2. INDUSTRY PROMOTION This programme is positioning Durban as a Smart Port City, which will optimise the port-city territories and the constant cargo flows passing through Durban. Further to this EMC hosts workshops, conferences, and events to provide networking opportunities to facilitate knowledge and port information sharing through collaborative engagements. Collaborative working among stakeholders in the maritime industry was one of the key messages in this year’s annual EMC Women in Maritime webinar. The webinar was themed ‘Women Charting a Course Towards Collaboration’. This prestigious event was held in August and was broadcasted live on the EMC Facebook page. 3. TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT The Training & Skills Development programme facilitates capacity building within the sector by providing the necessary intervention to position Durban as a Centre of Maritime Education. This will contribute to inclusive Maritime Training and Skills that will afford equal opportunity that will unleash and improve the capacity building. A key deliverable of this programme is to develop the City as a centre of excellence in maritime education. We have set projects to achieve this by assisting at High School Level as well as working with Tertiary Institutions in KwaZulu-Natal to position and market the offering world-wide. We also have a graduate placement programme that is active in assisting graduates to obtain experience in and of the maritime industry and we do our best to retain such skill within the Maritime Sector. EMC, in partnership with the Department of Education, UKZN, DUT, Transnet Maritime School of Excellence, South African Association of Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) facilitate educator’s workshops, as an intervention to capacitate maritime educators. This is in line with EMC’s mandate to improve education and training for the maritime industry and to enable talented people to enter the industry, starting with High School level. EMC continues to facilitate a collaborative engagement of relevant stakeholders, even global stakeholders in order to advance skills development in the maritime sector. As EMC we believe we can do more in the future with the industry’s support and efforts in cohesive collaboration. 4. MARINE MANUFACTURING The objective of this programme is to factor the development and growth of the boat and ship building and ship repair sectors which offer good opportunities for employment creation. EMC is currently working on setting up a Boat Building Park in Durban closer to mooring and launching facilities, which will position our boat builders as world class competitors. INNOVATION EMC also intends to contribute immensely in bringing innovation to the forefront of doing business at the port in this industry as we are moving towards the fourth industrial revolution. The Cluster encourages every young innovative thinker within the sector of expertise to be an ambassador of change and to be part of spearheading the innovations for a sustainable blue oceans economy. In doing so, EMC has partnered with Innovate Durban for an annual challenge where young innovators collaborate in solving real maritime operations related issues. The significant of this development and innovative initiative is to encourage maritime research and provide problem solving for a sustainable economic growth of this industry. Full Name of Company: EThekwini Maritime Cluster Nature of Business: Non-profit company Services / Products: Maritime industry development platform Date Established: 4 June 2008 Customer Base: Businesses within the maritime industry Memberships: Durban Chamber; AIVP B-BBEE Status: Socio-Economic Development 100% / Enterprise and Supplier Development 100% VISION To be the knowledge and innovation hub for the South African Maritime sector, globally. MISSION To be the centre of knowledge and innovation that fosters collaborative economic growth through world class programmes for the Maritime sector. KEY PERSONNEL Acting Managing Director: Zenzile Gwamanda Financial Manager: Ubucule Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors Inc. CONTACT DETAILS Address: 1601 The Marine, 22 Dorothy Nyembe Street, Durban, 4000 Tel: +27 (0)31 301 0950/09 E-mail: info@maritimecluster.co.za Website: www.maritimecluster.co.za EThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC) The EThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC) is a non-profit company with the mandate to support and promote the maritime industry within Durban although at times it has a reach to other areas of KwaZulu-Natal