< Back Mariska Grace James Next MARISKA GRACE JAMES is the owner and head trainer of We Train Revolution, which is an obstacle, boxing and strength training facility, for children, level one beginners as well as elite athletes MARISKA GRACE JAMES is the owner and head trainer of We Train Revolution, which is an obstacle, boxing and strength training facility, for children, level one beginners as well as elite athletes. Her role is to oversee the facilities, create programmes, run classes, liaise with clients, provide massage treatments, and to give obstacle course racing coaching. Mariska comes from a South African netball back-ground and reflected that she had trained hard and been excited about pushing boundaries. We Train Revolution was started in 2009. Mariska says that she could never have gotten to where she is today without the people in her life who supported her dreams and believed in her. She explains, 'I was on a journey looking for some-thing new. I was in decorating for ten years and had reached a quiet patch. A friend asked me to train her. Then another friend asked and within six months I had 70 clients. From there the dream just built, and I studied to be a personal trainer." At that time Mariska only had six yoga mats, and she went to her clients' houses for one on one training. Unfortunately, she got very sick during this time and had to change her strategy. "Instead of one on one training, I started looking for venues to do group training. I found a venue and my business just grew from there." Mariska ran five venues, from Ballito to Hillcrest, offering weight training, boxing and strength train-ing. She has since downscaled and operates in only one venue but has increased her services to offer obstacle course racing training. Obstacle course racing Her husband, who was one of her clients, introduced Mariska to obstacle course racing as a sport after she had been ill and was on the mend. "I entered the Warrior Race and was hooked. I knew that I wanted to incorporate my passion for obstacle course racing into the gym and wanted to build my own course." Initially, Mariska struggled to find a venue with the space that was needed to house an obstacle course. "Once I had found a venue, construction started slowly as I had no money to start building the course. I asked on our internal We Train Revolution group if anyone had gum poles lying around and the construction project took off from there." Mariska ascribes her business success to her members who have become friends. "My members have shared my dream, believed in me, and stuck by me, especially through the many changes when I was sick. We Train Revolution is a true fitness family." A strong mental fortitude In reflecting on who has inspired her, Mariska says that she feels inspired by the people around her who believe in her and her dreams. "I believe God puts dreams in my heart, and I make sure I stay within God's calling each day. Once I have a dream, I set goals for myself and because I have been gifted with a strong mental fortitude, I get to where I want to be." Commenting on whether women must have a different approach than men to be successful, Mariska says that she thinks it is natural for women to have a different approach to business than men. "Women and men deal with people differently based on their perspectives and bring a different dynamic to business. We are more sensitive, but also have more of a fighting spirit, and we just make things happen. No matter how we feel, we get the job done." Mariska says that she is very grateful for what she has accomplished so far which she would have not done without her support base. "Every accomplishment is a gift that I don't take for granted." However, she would like to obtain more exposure for the course as well as her gym by growing her 'fitness family'. "We have this incredible course and I would love to see more clients as well as more trainers enjoying the use of the facility. We are so welcoming to any new person of any fitness level." Mariska would also like to increase the number of people participating in the races - obstacle wars - which are held there. Enjoy what you do Commenting on her efforts to achieve a work-life balance Mariska says that she has learnt the hard way. "I believe I was previously so sick because I had no balance. For four years I was sick, unable to exercise, which is my passion, and I had to re-evaluate my priorities in life." Now Mariska tries to rest during the day and remembers to unplug in the evenings after classes. "As you are dealing with people, work-life balance is crucial in this industry, you can't be tired or have a bad mood." In addition, having a personal assistant also helps in taking some of the workload off Mariska. What advice would she give her younger self if she could in this moment? "I would say that you are good enough and that you can't please everyone and its ok. Your life is filled with a lot of different personalities and sometimes you must just accept that you tried your best. Remember, to enjoy life and enjoy what you do. Not everything needs to be done in one day and accept where you are at presently and live in the moment." Previous Next

< Back Lisa Forster Next As head of the Wealth and Investment Division for Standard Bank KZN, Lisa Forster leads a team of relationship managers and wealth managers, focusing on holistic solutions for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. She and her team ensure service excellence in delivering holistic solutions, both domestically and off shore, for their clients As head of the Wealth and Investment Division for Standard Bank KZN, Lisa Forster leads a team of relationship managers and wealth managers, focusing on holistic solutions for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. She and her team ensure service excellence in delivering holistic solutions, both domestically and off shore, for their clients. "I joined Standard Bank in the most junior position possible," she laughs. "I was 17 and straight out of school. Financially, university just wasn't an option and I was just happy to get a job." Lisa points out that she didn't mind starting at the bottom, and says it defined her. "I had to learn, work hard and create opportunities, and I still strive to do this today." Many different roles Lisa has had many different roles in the business, and that's stood her in good stead to progress through the ranks. "I've worked really hard to develop myself professionally and put up my hand for every opportunity. I've never really been guided by my job description and I still stand by that today. Being willing to take on added responsibilities and do whatever is needed has opened up opportunities for me. And I try every day to be better than the day before." She has a simple philosophy: If you can do your job with your eyes closed, it's time to regroup and look for new self-development opportunities. And happily, she's been able to do this with Standard Bank. "If your job allows you to integrate your values with the company values, then that's a great platform for commitment and for career growth, and I'm very grateful to Standard Bank and way they've supported me through my career, in my studies and with executive development programmes." Right now, Lisa sees a role for herself to contribute to a new generation of leaders coming up the ranks within Standard Bank. "I want to support them in the same way, and if they can benefit from my knowledge and my experience, then I'm making a difference." Show up every day Asked who inspires her, Lisa notes that typically, people look to those in positions of leadership or in the public domain for inspiration. "But for me it's the people who come to work despite the challenges and adversities they face on a daily basis; who show up every day with a great attitude, give of their best and really deliver for the business. They remind me on a daily basis to appreciate what I have and all the opportunities Standard Bank has afforded me over the past 30 years." But career success doesn't come without some compromise. "I don't believe you can ever really achieve work life balance," she says. "I think it's more important to be present in what you are doing at any particular time, whether at work or at home, and you have to be quite deliberate about it to achieve your goals." Focus is a big part of her success both in her career and her personal life. Right now, she's training for the Chicago Marathon. "I start my day at 4am to get the training in. That's being deliberate! But I also believe in the link between a healthy body, and a healthy mind, and my running is good for productivity." Business is about people Given a time-machine, she'd advise her younger self that you don't need a leadership title to be a leader in your environment; that no matter how talented you are, you can't always move up without earning your stripes; that's it's not always clear what you're learning from an experience, but if you do your best it might turn out to be a defining opportunity. "Take every opportunity; it's not a waste of time, it's clearing a path for you. And remember that each challenging day might be teaching you something. So learn from it - your future self may thank you." Lisa would also remind herself to protect her reputation and her credibility. "They speak for you when you're not in the room." And lastly, she'd point out the need to build solid relationships. "So much of your career success depends on your relationships, because business is about people." Previous Next

< 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

Saantha Naidu Next Previous Saantha Naidu is the chief executive officer of Saantha Naidu Group Saantha Naidu is the chief executive officer of Saantha Naidu Group. He says he got into the hospitality industry by accident 30 years ago, when in 1993, several entrepreneurs, including him, acquired a holiday apartment building on Durban’s Golden Mile, the Coastlands Durban Hotel, and self-catering apartments. In 2007, Saantha acquired a property next to his residential home on the popular Peter Mokaba Road in Musgrave, and the plan was to develop upmarket residential apartments. However, during the construction phase, it was decided to adapt this building according to the requirements of a hotel, which then opened as a four-star graded hotel in November 2009. One year later, November 2010, saw the launch of another hotel, which has become a landmark in Umhlanga, Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel and Convention Centre, situated on Umhlanga Ridge, a booming corporate and leisure node. In 2015, Coastlands Hotels and Resorts added the iconic Royal Hotel to its portfolio. In respect of the Royal Hotel, Saantha said, “Owning the property is something we are excited about, It is a place of historical value that everyone can relate to.” THE PERFECT LIFESTYLE The latest addition to the group’s portfolio is The Skye, a billion rand plus luxury property which is a mixed-use development comprising upmarket residential apartments with drive-up access, retail and commercial spaces, and a 118-bedroom, four-star graded hotel, Coastlands Skye Hotel, which opened its doors to the public in April 2024. This development is located in a quiet cul-de-sac in Ridgeside, Umhlanga. Saantha says his vision for The Skye is to have multiple generations living upstairs and working downstairs, with shopping facilities and restaurants closing the experiential loop. “It is all about creating the perfect lifestyle living environment into which people can retire. And even though our demographic includes retirees and those approaching retirement age, The Skye provides a luxury lifestyle for families of all ages with a welcoming child-friendly environment underpinned by world-class security measures.” Coastlands Hotels and Resorts has also acquired apartments in Umdloti and on KwaZulu-Natal’s most prestigious Zimbali golf and lifestyle estate. When it comes to what inspires Saantha in this business, he says, “What inspires me the most is employing people, we employ around 800 people today and that helps put food on the table for about 5000 people – that inspires me a lot.” LEARN FROM OTHERS He says the hospitality industry is very challenging and getting into it was difficult. Today, Coastlands Hotels and Resorts is the largest privately black- owned hotel group in KwaZulu-Natal. Saantha says he has been successful because of the people he has around him, “Firstly, I have a lovely family who supports me, and secondly, I have staff that have been with us over 25 years. My success is basically because of the people around me.” He says that his staff are part of the family and that there is nothing that they do without first discussing decisions with senior management. “I do not do anything without other people’s advice. We are there to learn from others and I believe that others can teach us.” For Saantha service is the most important thing in the hospitality industry. “Details, making sure the customers come first, treating them with the utmost respect, giving them what they deserve.” He says they try to give the ‘home away from home’ experience for their customers. All his children are involved in the business and he says they have a fantastic relationship where they are very open, and they have discussions on every aspect regarding the business. SERVE THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU When it comes to after hours, he says that exercise is very important to him, and he really enjoys walks on the beach in his spare time. Saantha gets up at 5.30 a.m. every morning and walks on the beach and is back home by 7a.m. He works a good ten to eleven hours a day. He also enjoys listening to good music and spending time with his grandchildren. His advice to people, “Work hard, be honest and sincere, put others first before yourself.” He says, “Serve the people around you, do what is best for everybody, you must be able to sleep at night with no regrets.” Previous Next

Ekhamanzi Springs (Pty) Ltd t/a aQuelle Up Home Up Latest News Ekhamanzi Springs (Pty) Ltd t/a aQuelle Nico Bosman UPLIFTING PEOPLE In 1998, aQuellé was born from a discovery of a pure, natural water source, a gift from God. The refreshing taste and purity was too good to keep to themselves, so they bottled it and named it aQuellé, blending the Latin word for water “aqua” with the German word for spring “Quelle”. For over 27 years, aQuellé has delighted South Africans, delivering refreshing joy in every bottle of natural spring water and flavoured drinks. History aQuellé is based on KwaSizabantu Mission which was established in 1970. The founder of the mission, Reverend Erlo Stegen, dedicated his life to preaching the gospel, helping and uplifting people and bringing them hope. aQuellé is one of the projects he started to support the missionary work and to be able to make a difference in people’s lives. He initiated the bottling of water at a time where the idea seemed farfetched and nigh impossible for the South African market. But the Lord blessed his faith and the aQuellé brand has grown phenomenally over the years to become South Africa’s favourite water brand. Initially offering exceptional natural spring water, the brand expanded to include a range of four typically South African-flavoured drinks – Marula, Naartjie, Litchi and Honey Melon. Six more flavours and other ranges were added over the years to cater for every South African’s taste and need! The first factory was a mere 360m 2 . Due to the incredible increase in the demand for aQuellé, by God’s grace, it has been necessary to continuously expand the bottling plant and transport facilities, and the original plant has expanded to over 18 000m 2 to date. In 2016 a second bottling plant was acquired in scenic Franschhoek. As with the main bottling plant in KwaZulu-Natal, the Franschhoek natural spring water is of exceptional quality and taste. The product bottled at this facility is mainly distributed to the Western Cape area, reducing aQuellé’s carbon footprint significantly and providing upliftment to the area. In March 2020 construction commenced on Kwa-Sizabantu Mission for a third facility of over 23 000m 2 . The brand-new facility was completed by mid-December, an astounding nine months later, despite the ongoing challenges of Covid-19 and the related national lockdowns. The plant was planned and machinery purchased with the aim of being as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. The aQuellé ViV sports and power drinks range was launched in 2021 and within a year of its release had won the Gold Pack award for best in beverages and best in plastic, as well as an international award for the best new brand. A Brand for People The positive impact that aQuellé’s growth has on South Africans is thrilling. This is the heart of aQuellé. As a Christian, community-based organisation, with its very reason for existence being to uplift people, aQuellé lives out its brand values every day. The company is involved in a broad spectrum of projects such as the distribution of water to needy communities, cleanup initiatives, support during pandemics and natural disasters, awareness campaigns for diabetes and local feeding schemes. aQuellé actively supports outdoor events all over the country every year. Through this participation, aQuellé promotes a fun, wholesome lifestyle. With its three bottling plants and the increase of job opportunities created by aQuellé, families are sustained, livelihoods are improved, and children are given better prospects. Looking Forward Beyond its own rural home, aQuellé looks forward to refreshing South Africa with its pristine quality, affordable and delicious refreshment in every bottle produced. The company echoes the prayer of its founder, Reverend Erlo Stegen: “Lord, thank you for what You are doing. You have made the impossible possible. We praise Your holy name.” CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: Silverstream Farm, Kranskop, South Africa Postal Address: Private Bag 260, Kranskop, 3268, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)32 492 0500 Email: mail@aquelle.co.za Website: www.aquelle.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

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< Back Nikita Pillay Next NIKITA PILLAY attributes her success to a powerful cocktail of positive peer pressure, perseverance and a lucky break. She grew up in a large, loud and happy family, with three sisters and a brother, but there was no chance of a tertiary education after school NIKITA PILLAY attributes her success to a powerful cocktail of positive peer pressure, perseverance and a lucky break. She grew up in a large, loud and happy family, with three sisters and a brother, but there was no chance of a tertiary education after school. Determined to get a good education - and to live up to the achievements of her two older siblings - she knew she had to study part-time to get ahead. Nikita recognises that both men and women need perseverance and resilience to earn their success, but also points out that in some ways, woman may have an added advantage. "Yes, women are sometimes seen as weaker than men, but they are often stronger than they realise. Also, women are often at an advantage when it comes to emotional intelligence and soft skills - and these are certainly factors that have helped me." After several years of paying her dues in general administration jobs, Nikita got her first human resources (HR) job 15 years ago, doing payroll for a major fast food company. And at last, she'd found her niche. Committed to her career growth, she continued her studies and worked her way up to HR manager for the company, before joining DRG Outsourcing. Part of the leadership team As head of Legal and Compliance at DRG Outsourcing, Nikita is part of the leadership team, for DRG Outsourcing, DRG Siyaya and BusinessFit. She assists client companies in aligning their HR strategies with their business strategies. It's a multi-faceted role, and no two days are the same, with a variety for responsibilities from assisting companies to develop policies and procedures, to remuneration strategies and chairing Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) hearings, to consulting on wage negotiations. The company believes that all its staff are all leaders. "We are part of a team and we each have specialised skills. We just feed into each other and on projects each person is able to fill in those gaps, according to clients' needs," says Nikita. She's also involved in the training and mentoring of young emerging entrepreneurs. This is a role that's particularly close to her heart as she knows how the input and mentorship of experienced colleagues has contributed to her own growth. Nikita highlights the role that David White, CEO of DRG Outsourcing, has played in her career. "Over the last seven years David has continually challenged me and exposed me to new opportunities. He's encouraged me and motivated me to always look for new opportunities. In short, he's always believed in me and supported me - and this has helped me grow in confidence and inspired me to strive to become a more rounded HR professional and a leader in our organisation." A vital part of life Asked about her work-life balance, Nikita just laughed. Underplaying her hard work and dedication, she points that when you love what you do, your work is a vital part of your life - not separate from life itself. "Yes, there are stresses that come with this job, because our decisions impact on people's lives. And it's important to deliver for our clients. We go the extra mile in helping customers have long term relationships with DRG. But my job is also something that gives me great satisfaction, and I look forward to coming to work every day." Looking back on her career, Nikita is justifiably proud of her achievements but doesn't see herself as anywhere close to the finish line. "I'm happy - thus far! But there's a lot more I want to do." Never one to rest on her laurels, Nikita continues to study and has just achieved international recognition as a Personal Development Analysis (PDA) analyst - making her one of only 5600 worldwide. "I also have initiatives planned, and new services that are in development to give clients more value-add for their businesses. And happily, this means growth for DRG as well." Even bad decisions bring value It's easy to focus on the good, but Nikita acknow-ledges that she's made some bad decisions along the way too. "If I could offer my younger self some advice, it would be don't be so hard on yourself. Even bad decisions are stepping-stones to growth, so there's no point in agonising over mistakes. Life is never completely plain sailing, and the little hurdles that trip you up are part of your journey. Face your challenges and you'll be fine in the end - they'll make you stronger and more appreciative of your achievements later on." 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

< 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 Tanya Price-Carr Next After five years at The Clothing Bank, it was time to get out of her comfort zone again. Tanya sees herself as a changemaker, and she's designed her new venture, Interconnection SA, to help people change their lives in a different way TANYA PRICE-CARR has a simple philosophy, "It's hard to grow in your career when you're settled in your comfort zone." So whenever she gets too comfortable, it's time for a change. Tanya's ability to capitalise on change has given her a broad perspective and allowed her to seek out new experiences where she can continue her growth path. With this approach, it's no surprise Tanya has had a varied career. Growing up in circumstances where role models were few and far between, Tanya discovered softball and fell in love. It was the sport that gave her a sense of fulfilment and purpose and, at last, role models who showed her that hard work reaps rewards, a lesson she credits with her respect for commitment to goals and good, old-fashioned hard work. Straight out of school, she went into sales, rapidly turning to promotional sports gear - because it seemed a good place to start earning the money she needed to buy herself a car! When she decided it was time for her to travel, softball paved the way, allowing her to spend six years based in the United Kingdom, coaching, competing and travelling the world. In typical style, she aimed for the top, and represented Great Britain in the pre-Olympic Test Event in Athens, Greece before making another change, and coming home to South Africa, and settling in Cape Town. But it was in event planning that she discovered her next career. Organising a spectacular Freedom Day fundraising event that ran concurrently in five South African cities, Tanya began to see opportunities to change lives for the better, in this case by raising funds for the Red Cross Children's Hospital and Operation Bobbi Bear. Next came a transfer to Durban - not just for a new business challenge, but also a major life change, as she came to join her now-husband. She stayed in event planning for another two years, but her charity project had left a profound impression, and three years later she joined The Clothing Bank a social enterprise development NPO, heading up the Durban branch that helps people chart a way out of poverty. Leading the way After five years at The Clothing Bank, it was time to get out of her comfort zone again. Tanya sees herself as a changemaker, and she's designed her new venture, Interconnection SA, to help people change their lives in a different way. "There is so much to be done in South Africa", she says, "and the disconnection between people means we aren't aligned and we aren't reaching our potential as individuals and as a country." "Interconnection SA helps people take the next step in their lives, to connect with their strength and potential to realise their goals, to understand what they can achieve," she explains. The organisation also works with businesses to connect function and leadership with the goals as aspirations of the people they lead. "When your people see that their personal goals align with corporate goals, it creates a common purpose and delivers growth," says Tanya. Tanya takes a servant-leadership approach to running an organisation. She is a firm believer in sharing her experience and allowing her team to grow authentically. "You can get the best out of people if you give them space to grow." Facing challenges Tanya dismisses the idea that women need to take a different approach to men to achieve success. "Whether you're a man or a woman, you need to be professional," she says. "I am who I am. I know I can be emotional, but I have to make decisions based on fact, not emotion. And when things go against you, you can't take it personally." With a husband and two daughters, Tanya's life is certainly not all about work. She finds time to chauffeur her teenage daughter, also a talented sportswoman, to her training and games, and has discovered that lift clubs are useful way to keep in touch with what's going on with her daughter's life - and get to know her friends. She also has a special needs five year old daughter who she loves to spend time with and grounds her to the simple things in life. "Work-life balance isn't easy," she says. "You have good days and bad days, and good weeks and bad weeks - but you do need to make time for what's important." Tanya points out that you might block out time in your diary, but things can happen at work that demand your attention. "You need to appreciate the good weeks and focus on being present and mindful, and make your family time quality time, not necessarily quantity time." Tanya is also still involved with softball. "Softball gave so much to me as a child - it kept me focused and gave me a sense of purpose - and I get great satisfaction in being able to give back." One simple piece of advice Tanya has a strong action orientation and looks to the future, but says that if she was starting out again, she'd do one thing differently. "I'd buy property early," she says. "It's a great investment and you really reap the rewards later." Previous Next