Together everyone achieves more. Don’t be afraid to give someone responsibility, more often than not, they rise to their position < Back Fée Halsted Founder of Ardmore and Creative Director of Ardmore Ceramics Studio Fée Halsted an academic and award-winning artist, with manifest passion and tenacity. Amongst some of her awards, she and her protégé, Bonnie Ntshalintshali, jointly won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award in 1990. Fée was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2016 from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2021, Fée was awarded the South African Presidential Award ‘The Order of Ikhamanga’ for her contribution to the visual arts and generous transferring of skills to others. Fée describes Ardmore as being, “recognised by its colourful and quirky designs and is proudly South African”. She recounts, “Ardmore started with one-of-a-kind ceramics and ten years ago we developed our wonderful designs into fabrics and homeware products. We also collaborate with British wallpaper company Cole & Son, and we are just about to launch into the fashion accessories industry.” Ardmore was established in 1985 and has since grown with Fée currently mentoring approximately 50 artists. Commenting on the growth of her company Fée says, “I believe my greatest achievement is giving people, without opportunity and little education, self-worth. I have grown rural people, people with disabilities and learning disorders into people who stand tall in their community and can feed their families.” Modern day collectables Today Ardmore is a successful international business. Ardmore’s ceramics have been acknowledged as a “modern day collectable” by prominent auction house Christies of London. Fée believes that the success of Ardmore is based on her brave pioneering spirit, her tenacity, self-belief and her determination to strive for excellence. She, however, couples these characteristics with having a ‘heart’ in the business by acting as a ‘mother’ to her artists with a nurturing forgiveness, and sometimes with tough love. In commenting on what has challenged her along her journey, Fée says her biggest challenge was dealing with the impact of HIV/AIDS. “We lost many artists. Bonnie Ntshalintshali passed away in 1999 and Wonderboy Nxumalo passed away in 2008. It was a traumatic time in my life. We created a hospital at Ardmore and educated the artists about safe sex and antiretrovirals. As the subject was ‘taboo’ we taught the artists about HIV/AIDS through story telling sculptures that are now housed in our museum. During this time my attention was not focused on my husband and family. In 2002 my husband and I divorced, and I had to create a new home for my three children and set up a new studio. My family, especially my mother and many special caring friends, helped me get through these incredibly challenging times.” In 2008 South Africa went through a major recession and the country was hugely affected economically. Fée remained constant yet thrifty and adapted Ardmore accordingly. In 2010 South Africa hosted the Football World Cup and Fée developed the idea to create a series of ceramics called the “African Travelers”. They proved to be a huge success and saved Ardmore and the artists financially. More recently the Covid-19 pandemic shook the world. The travel restrictions and lockdowns meant South African tourism and travel was hard hit. The artists suffered due to the lack of sales, but Ardmore kept producing artworks to keep the artists in work so they could support their families. Unfortunately, Ardmore was unable to hold any exhibitions, locally or internationally. In response, Fée’s recounts how Ardmore adapted, “Thank goodness my children were there to assist me. We very quickly had to shift the business from an in-store sales model to an online sales model, as so many have had to do. We held online auctions and exhibitions to try and boost sales. I knew we could get through the hardships if we again remained steadfast, reduced expenditure and told the story of the pandemic through our artworks. During Covid we have created ceramic artworks that have delighted our collectors by using animals that have symbolism and meaning. We used the pangolin as a major theme of the pandemic. The pangolin symbolizes hope. Its scaly exterior and defensive curled posture, when threated, are symbols of protection and safety. Our artists created masked monkeys teaching the rules of safety to prevent catching Covid, men pushing wheelbarrows filled with contraband and elephants sanitising monkeys’ hands. We created masks from our fabric designs and gave the proceeds to our local community food bank.” Maintain one’s authenticity The future for Ardmore lies in the hands of the next generation. Fée’s children Jonathan, Catherine and Megan are all passionate about the business and many of the artists adult children have now joined the Ardmore studios and are developing into talented artists themselves. Recently, Ardmore has created an Arts Trust, as art education is sadly lacking in local schools. Ardmore hopes to provide creative education for under-privileged children in the community and have partnered with Thebilithle School in Howick. Fée’s advice to young women wanting to follow in her footsteps is to maintain one’s authenticity and be humble. “One cannot have an answer for everything, and one must do what you are best at doing. Do not be afraid to ask for help. People are so kind, and love being asked advice. Build a great team around you, as together everyone achieves more. Do not be afraid to give someone responsibility, more often than not, they rise to their position. If you want detail, ask a woman to do the job. Always ask your team their opinion and value what they have to say on how to do something better. Communication is key to everything and if your staff feel part of the decision-making process, they feel like they are truly part of the business, and you will have their commitment.” Fée concludes by saying: “Do not shy away from hard work; in tough times we all work harder. But do not compromise on striving for excellence, always remain constant and find positive in bad circumstances.”

Our generation needs to do something for the next generation.Priya Govind < Back Priya Govind Chief Financial Officer, Sumitomo Rubber South Africa riya Govind is a chartered accountant and currently the chief financial officer (CFO) of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (“Sumitomo”), which manufactures Dunlop tyres and employs approximately 1 500 people. The manufacturing facility is located in Ladysmith which provides a significant source of income and stability to the town. The taste for business combined with an entrepreneurial spirit was instilled by Priya’s parents. She says that her career started informally, as a young girl, in her Dad’s pharmacy. After school and on Saturdays, Priya and her brothers, would often work in the pharmacy packing shelves, helping customers, calculating change and cashing up. Priya added, “I got to see first-hand both the joys and challenges of being a small business owner.” She was further motivated by her mother who ran her own successful import business. With this taste for business, Priya pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Natal, which laid the groundwork for her career in finance. However, it was her subsequent entry into the auditing profession that catapulted her into a world of possibilities. In 2001, Priya began her professional journey at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a trainee accountant. Over the years, she worked her way up through the ranks, eventually achieving the position of associate director. After spending five years in the position of associate director, she began reevaluating her career goals and started looking at alternate career options. In 2016, Priya took a bold step by transitioning into the automotive sector. She joined Smiths Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Metair Investments Limited, as their financial/IT director. It was a significant career shift and not without its challenges. The manufacturing industry at the time, like many others, was predominantly male dominated, and Priya found herself as the only female member on the board. This did not deter her as she discovered that she brought a unique perspective to the environment, and saw the opportunity to make a difference. It was during this time that she decided to pursue an MBA with a focus on manufacturing, thus further enhancing her credentials in the sector. This decision opened more opportunities for her and, in 2021, she was appointed to the national executive committee of NAACAM, the industry body for the automotive component sector. In 2022, she was sought out for the role of CFO at Sumitomo. In her role as CFO at Sumitomo, Priya has made significant contributions. One of her key achievements has been redirecting the focus of management toward financial independence and sustainability. By simplifying complex financial concepts, rallying teams of people to work towards common goals and creating a clear path toward financial independence, she has been instrumental in transforming the company’s financial standing. a Priya looks to her children for inspiration and recognises that “our generation needs to do something for the next generation.” One way in which Priya intends to improve the world for the next generation is by promoting diversity and inclusion. “We’ve got to make sure that the world is big enough for all genders and that inspires me, not just to create pathways for women but to find ways of growing the ‘pie’ so that everyone can participate in it,” she says. One of the challenges Priya encountered in her career was the need to let go of her long-held dream and aspiration to become an audit partner. Priya had encountered the invisible glass ceiling. Whilst not explicitly stated, she sensed its presence and recognised the need to reframe her own view of the world and her purpose within it. Priya remained optimistic as she knew that these challenges could be converted into opportunities to look for new ways to advance one’s career, rather than accepting limitations. Priya explained, “Letting go of that dream was quite big, but when I did that, what it did was to open up other opportunities for me and the Smiths’ advertisement was emailed to me. I think the universe was responding to that ‘letting go’ which allowed me to create space for a new dream.” Looking ahead, Priya has a clear vision of her future. She aims to continue and develop within the automotive sector. Her long-term aspiration is to become a business owner in the sector, all whilst uplifting others and showing them what is possible. Priya’s goals are not limited to her own success; she envisions a future where more women can access opportunities in various industries and where gender is no longer a limitation. Priya looks to a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt for inspiration, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Priya added, “As long as you are dreaming, there is hope. So, don’t ever let go of your dreams. And if you do have to let go of your dreams, as I have along the way, re- dream and reimagine your future and then pursue it.” Maintaining a work-life balance is crucial for Priya’s well- being. She has a supportive spouse who takes on his fair share of domestic responsibilities. She values relaxation to manage the challenges of her professional life. This includes spending time with family and friends, enjoying spa treatments, and trying to do at least 10 minutes of guided meditation in the mornings. Priya explained, “I think when your day starts off on the right note, you know it limits the levels of stress that you will experience.” Priya said that she is looking forward to getting to know other KZN Top Business Women, and finding ways to support each other and learn. In the process she hopes to, “Spark new opportunities and pathways, collectively and individually, for the common purpose of building a better future for all.”

The KZN Brand DNA stories highlight the values, beliefs and feelings that create (or are created by) a brand. Often these are the reasons why people wake up in the morning and go to work. They may also be the reason why people buy the products or use the services offered. KZN Brand DNA Price Duration Free consultancy 30 minutes Application < Back About the memberships and subscriptions The KZN Brand DNA stories highlight the values, beliefs and feelings that create (or are created by) a brand. Often these are the reasons why people wake up in the morning and go to work. They may also be the reason why people buy the products or use the services offered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6hHZXphoiA Let's connect Grant Adlam Now can you imagine the power of the KZN Masterclass We linked this back to been a KZN Top Business Gurus, to been a specialist. Now make use of KZN Top Business Press room The content The webinar The YouTube The blog The articles The network of our Business Community Set up an appointment and let's expanded on the KZN Masterclass and it and how ultimately how this all links back to dynamics of the KZN Top Business & Leaders Portfolio

You keep finding out new things about people, about yourself and about your team; it’s just about applying that to everyday life < Back Kim Woods Co-owner of Tyson Properties Durban Kim Woods is a wife, a mother, a grandmother to four-year-old Hudson and has two very special grandbabies on the way soon. Kim is fortunate enough to work with her son, Craig, who co-owns the business with her. She also has the unique opportunity of working with her daughter, Lauren, and the most phenomenal team. Tyson Properties Durban operates in all aspects of property, including buying, selling, and leasing of residential and commercial property from the M7 in the south right through to the Umhlanga river in the north. Kim believes that she got to where she is today through sheer hard work, commitment and wanting to always be the best that she could be. Unsurprisingly, Kim has won numerous awards. The first accolade that she received as a businessperson was as a real estate agent. Kim said, “I think winning the branch agent of the year, was an amazing thing, and it gives you such confidence to know that you can do this.” Kim received that accolade several times and when she went onto to a manager’s role, received manager awards, and has now received awards as a franchisee. Tyson Properties Durban has achieved recognition for “the highest number of registrations in a year” consistently over the past few years. Internship programme For the past two years, the branch has been running an internship programme to train up youngsters and equip them with everything they need to know to become estate agents. “Once they have completed the training programme successfully, the interns are offered jobs in our business where they can become real estate brokers. Some of the agents who have come through our internship programme are currently among our top agents and it’s wonderful to watch them grow to be the best that they can be and actually run their own businesses,” explained Kim. In the future, Kim intends to continue to offer the internship programme so that they can keep upskilling youngsters. “We want to give them the opportunity to build careers, support themselves and their families and be optimistic about their futures. I have always had a bit of a heart for teaching, so I do love teaching them and sharing my knowledge,” added Kim. Keep learning Kim started out as an agent selling property because she wanted to try and make some money for her family when they were going through some challenging times. “I discovered that I had a real passion for property. And once you find a job that you love, it never really feels like work. I loved being able to do something I really enjoyed every single day and to provide for the people who I loved the most – that has always felt like the greatest reward to me.” Kim added that she fell in love with people and the fact that every day is different. “You keep learning every single day and you keep finding out new things about people, about yourself and about your team; and it’s just about applying that to everyday life.” A real challenge that Kim has faced is that working in property means that you work on a commission-based salary. As such learning to budget and be disciplined with an inconsistent salary is a tough field to navigate. In the last ten years, the industry has seen new legislation and new regulations been brought in. “You have to continually try to navigate the way that you deal with those things, so I think those challenges have been really hard. The property market has also changed from being really bad to being really good, and then again, being really bad. Consequently, says Kim, “Tying to keep your team motivated is tough and you’ve got to keep your head in a space of always looking for the positives. I have this rule in my office that everybody is allowed to have one bad day. After that, you have to get back up on top and find the way to face all the challenges.” A great experience Kim and her son try to get involved with every transaction and get to know the people. However, she says that in order to succeed you have to surround yourself with a team that you trust; employees that you know will provide excellent service to your clients. “And you need to treat your team well so that they can treat your clients well. In a world of service, feedback and communication is the key to everything. We try to make sure that every client that comes through our ranks, ends up having a great experience where they walk away saying it was awesome to deal with Tyson’s.” For young women coming into the industry, Kim’s advice would be to keep your head in the space and believe that you can. “Make sure of the fact that women are just as important as men. We can do better than they can because we can multi-task. We are able to get out there and be positive. Do things in a nice way while you also manage to be the wife, the mom, the daughter, the sister, the girlfriend, or anything else. You can do all of those things and you can still be successful. And you can be kind, compassionate, caring, and help others.” In conclusion, Kim says, “Find out what it is that you love. Work really hard. Treat it like a full-time job. Put your heart into everything you do. Don’t be afraid of the grind – you need to put in the hard work and never give up. Even if you don’t see results immediately–keep at it. Hard work will pay off.”

Marileen says the route to where she is today started when she was still in grade eight and she just fell in love with accounting. Even at that young age, she dreamt of being a chartered accountant and made a conscious decision to make this her goal and to work towards itMarileen PretoriusMarileen says the route to where she is today started when she was still in grade eight and she just fell in love with accounting. Even at that young age, she dreamt of being a chartered accountant and made a conscious decision to make this her goal and to work towards itMARILEEN PRETORIUS, a chartered accountant and registered auditor, is an external audit associate director for KPMG Durban, and is part of the leadership team. She maintains responsibility and oversight of the external auditing division leading a team of audit professionals, providing assurance to shareholders, financiers, and third parties. Marileen says the route to where she is today started when she was still in grade eight and she just fell in love with accounting. Even at that young age, she dreamt of being a chartered accountant and made a conscious decision to make this her goal and to work towards it. "In the end, lots of hard work, perseverance, and dedication were required, as the road to becoming a chartered accountant is a long and hard one, involving studies and articles that many give up on," she reflects. Along the way, Marileen received significant input into her professional life from 'the great leaders' at KPMG. Since it is a learning environment, she can always discuss issues with fellow professionals. Marileen is grateful that she has benefitted from the mentoring and coaching she received from people who had crossed her path. Marileen admits KPMG has gone through tough times, but she is committed to working with the leadership team to rebuild the firm, showing the world who they really are and restoring their public image. Since moving from East London to the Durban practice during 2018, Marileen has been embraced by the partners like a family member. She added, "I would not have been able to achieve what I have without the support of my family - a committed husband and my two children - as well as my circle of amazing friends." Marileen also gives credit to her team for helping her to function effectively. Inspirational parents Marileen's biggest inspiration in life came from her parents who have been married for 49 years. "They are an example of what can be achieved when a couple works together." Her father was in the SA Defence Force, and he taught her to work hard, be loyal and persevere. She values his professionalism and 'can-do' attitude. He taught her: 'If the vision is clear, the how-to will be invented', and she often reminds herself of this mantra. Her mother was 'a stay-at-home mom' and the backbone of the family. They often moved between cities due to her father being transferred, and her mother always supported him, ran the household, and raised the children. Her mother has been helping people in the community as long as Marileen can remember and her mother's unwavering faith has helped the family through difficult times, keeping them all close to this day. Supporting people's progress In reflecting on the approach of men and women to business, Marileen does not believe that there should be differences. The accounting profession has been male-dominated in the past but has recently grown and developed into an environment where men and women can be successful. "The diversity brought by different genders strengthens teams, and the different qualities of the genders, if used together, contribute to overall success," she explains. However, Marileen enjoys supporting the progress of women in business. She was involved with the Business Women's Association in East London, providing businesswomen with professional support. She played an active part in the "Coca Cola 5by20 project", mentoring and empowering women entrepreneurs working in rural communities. Most of the women did not have accounting knowledge, and it was fulfilling for Marileen to share her knowledge, teaching them about financial records, bookkeeping, and general financial principles. She enjoys KPMG as a training environment where coaching and mentoring are offered, and finds it fulfilling to help people learn and grow. Being more than your job title Marileen is happy with her accomplishments and where she is, yet adamant that it is far from the end of her journey. She believes, "A job title does not reflect who you are, or what you have accomplished. One's values are more important". She tries to leave any place better than it was when she found it. One of her aspirations is for her teenage children to grow up anchored in their faith, able to handle life's challenges successfully and become responsible adults contributing to society. She comments, "A work-life balance is becoming increasingly difficult in a fast-paced world where immediate results are demanded." For her, the quantity of time available to spend with the people you love and doing things you value is less important than the quality of such time and being present in the moment. As a family they have regular breakaways and participate in Parkruns over weekends, helping them to stay connected. She feels fortunate to have a good circle of friends, and they have an annual 'women only' event. She believes it is important for her as a woman to make enough time for herself, do something she loves and get recharged to be the best she can be. If she could give advice to her younger self, it would be not to take life so seriously and stress less. She would encourage herself to take more chances and constantly look for ways to diversify, innovate and be prepared for changes, "the only constant in life". She would implore herself to value every day and spend it doing the important things with the people who matter most to her. 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

< Back Firdose Abdool Razak-Moola Founder and Director of KZN Advisory Centre Firdose Abdool Razak-Moola is the founder and director of KZN Advisory Centre and the face of the organisation. “We provide counselling, support, assessments and therapy to all ages, genders and groups,” she explains warmly. “As a mental health practitioner, social worker in private practice, play therapist, family therapist and life coach, Firdose has made it her mission to create a safe and professional space for individuals and families to find balance, understanding and growth. She explains, “We aim to support people wherever they are in their life journey.” SHAPED BY EXPERIENCE Firdose’s journey into leadership began early in her career. “I reached a management role at about the age of 27,” she recalls. “From there I became an executive director of a non-profit organisation, and then I knew it was time to open my own private practice.” Today, that practice has grown into a respected centre that serves the KwaZulu-Natal community and beyond. Firdose’s work at KZN Advisory Centre often involves delicate and emotionally charged cases. “We work with a lot of divorce matters, contact disputes and child assessments,” she explains. “Our goal is to ensure that every decision and recommendation is made in the best interest of the child, always taking into account mental capacity and their psychosocial emotional wellbeing.” While her current focus lies in therapy and assessment, Firdose’s long-term dream is far more expansive. “I would love to see an umbrella body for my company that brings together psychologists, lawyers, advocates, social workers and mental health practitioners,” she shares. “Right now, everyone is scattered in private practice. I want to create a medical centre where clients can find all services under one roof, under the KZN Advisory Centre (KZNAC). That is my vision." What inspires her most, however, is not awards or accolades but the people she meets along the way. “It may sound a little clichéd, but it really is the people I meet – my support system, my family, my husband, my friends and colleagues and of course, the Almighty. Inspiration comes in many forms. The gratitude you receive from others teaches you every day.” A LEGACY OF SERVICE Firdose’s humility belies a string of impressive achievements. “I have been honoured with several recognitions over the years,” she admits. “I received the KZN Woman of Wonder Award, the SA Heroine Awards twice in a row, and I was listed in the 40 Under 40. Her company also recently was awarded the second-best therapy centre in KwaZulu-Natal for 2025. Each accolade is meaningful, but Firdose insists that the real reward lies in community impact. “The best part is knowing that people out there are the ones nominating and recognising you. It tells me I am doing something right, that I am creating hope.” The people she serves often face immense personal challenges. “Many wear masks,” she says. “You do not always know what someone is going through. A simple act of kindness, a smile, can change a person’s life.” This empathy is deeply personal. Firdose lives with systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune condition that she has managed for over 25 years. “If you look at me, you might not realise I have lupus,” she reflects. “I always explain it as my body having a party that I am not invited to. I do not see it as a challenge. I see the condition as something to overcome. You have to listen to your body and respect its limits. If I am tired, I pause, reflect and then get going again.” Her resilience and perseverance, she believes, is what makes her a better practitioner and leader. “Stress is a huge factor in health, and I teach others what I practise myself. Firdose added, “Balance, mindfulness and gratitude are essential in sustaining both mental and physical wellbeing.” BALANCE AND PURPOSE As work-life balance is essential for Firdose she makes time to unwind in simple ways such as reading, enjoying a cappuccino or indulging in a favourite treat. “If you ever see me eating waffles or donuts, you will know I am having one of those days,” she laughs. “Comfort food and solitude help me reset.” She also cherishes family time and moments of stillness. “I enjoy spa days and quiet evenings. You have to find that ‘me time’ to reflect and refocus. When I leave work, I leave it at work. Boundaries are crucial if you want to keep moving forward.” This sense of balance feeds into her philosophy of living with gratitude. “You need to practise contentment,” she says. “Whether your cup is half empty or half full, the real joy lies in being grateful that you have a cup and you can always refill it.” Firdose’s message to young people is one of confidence. “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Women are taking on more leadership roles than ever before. My advice is simple. Do not say no to opportunities. Give it your best shot. Be the person that you see yourself. Don’t let anybody put you down and face your fears, that’s most important.” She often tells her clients and mentees not to be overwhelmed by the big picture. “Do not look at the whole staircase. Take it one step at a time. Pause, breathe, and before you know it, you will reach the top.” Firdose added, “We all need to lift each other up.” She says, “It is not a race. We should form a sisterhood, a community that supports one another. Everyone is fighting a battle you cannot see, so practice kindness. A small act can have a profound effect.” At the heart of Firdose’s message lies a profound belief in the power of compassion. “Be kind, be content and have faith, be resilient and persevere.” She concludes, “Surround yourself with good people, whether they are family, friends or mentors, because success is never a solo journey. It is built on the love and encouragement of those who walk beside you." Previous Next

His first professional role was in industry at Sasol. This experience gave him insight into operational discipline and structure Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Aven Naidu His first professional role was in industry at Sasol. This experience gave him insight into operational discipline and structure Aven Naidu is the chief executive officer of the Avemel Group, a multifaceted business rooted in logistics, property and construction, and guided by a strong commitment to community upliftment. In his role, he steers the organisation’s strategic vision, inspires innovation and ensures that each division operates with purpose, collaboration and integrity. Aven was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. He attributes much of his early development to the values instilled in him during his childhood. “From a young age, I was surrounded by people who worked hard and showed strong work ethic,” he says. This foundation encouraged him to pursue a career that would have an impact beyond profit. After completing his studies, he entered the transport and logistics sector. Aven recalls, “I entered a space that challenged me to think beyond moving goods and toward building longterm, sustainable solutions.” ENTREPRENEURIAL INSTINCT His first professional role was in industry at Sasol. This experience gave him insight into operational discipline and structure. However, his entrepreneurial instinct guided his next move. “I quickly realised that I wasn’t built to stay in my lane,” he explains. “I’ve always had the urge to think outside the box, explore new strategies, and take calculated risks.” That instinct led him to establish his own business, which later evolved into the Avemel Group. Aven’s personal purpose underpins his leadership philosophy. “My why is to create meaningful impact for our employees, our clients and our community,” he says. Aven strongly believes that success should be collective rather than individual. “Avemel was founded on the belief that success is shared. I’m driven by a desire to create opportunities, empower people to realise their potential and build a legacy of integrity, innovation and unity.” One of his core beliefs is that everyone should fulfil their potential. “I can’t stand seeing people waste their God-given talents. My purpose is to help unlock them.” Reaching the twenty-year milestone of Avemel is among Aven’s proudest achievements. He reflects, “From humble beginnings to becoming a respected name in logistics and beyond, our journey reflects two decades of dedication, teamwork and faith.” What he values most is the growth of people within the organisation. “Seeing the people who started with us still growing within the organisation today – that, to me, defines real success.” He has encountered significant challenges throughout his journey. “The biggest challenge was sustaining our business during times of economic uncertainty, especially during the pandemic, while protecting our workforce,” he explains. “We overcame this by staying adaptable, diversifying our operations and prioritising our people. Transparency, communication and versatility became our pillars. By standing together, we came out stronger than before.” BUILDING GENUINE CONNECTION Aven believes the key to motivation lies in building genuine connection. He says, “I take the time to listen, to lead by example and to celebrate both small and big wins.” Even in difficult times, he reminds his team of their shared purpose and the importance of how every individual contributes to the bigger picture. “We focus on solutions, not blame. That approach builds trust, unity and resilience.” Leadership advice received early in his life continues to shape his actions. “The best advice I’ve ever received was: Never forget where you came from,” he shares. “It keeps me grounded and reminds me that leadership is not about authority; it is about service. We must always remember that no single person is bigger than the business.” Aven draws his inspiration from both his family and his team. “I’m inspired by my late grandparents. Their humility, entrepreneurship skills, strength of character and faith in people shaped who I am today.” He also acknowledges the dedication of his employees. “I’m inspired daily by the incredible team at Avemel, who embody the spirit of hard work and commitment. Their drive reminds me that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege.” Above all, Aven is deeply grateful to his wife, children and family for their unwavering support. “They are my strength and the reason I strive every day. My driving force in life is to build a legacy that my family can be proud of, one defined by integrity, impact and a commitment to uplifting others.” SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION Looking to the future, Aven has a clear vision for the Avemel Group and for business in KwaZulu-Natal. “My vision is for Avemel to become the nation’s leading logistics provider, offering a service that covers the full spectrum of the supply chain,” he says. “I want to achieve this by embracing technology and integrating innovation across our operations.” Aven envisages a thriving economy supported by a strong logistics and infrastructure sector. “I want to see the logistics and infrastructure sector in South Africa flourish. This will create opportunities, strengthen trade and empower communities.” Avemel Group is positioned to contribute significantly to this progress. “We aim to play a central role in that transformation through investment, job creation and infrastructure development.” Relationships and integrity remain central to Aven’s leadership approach. He refers to a belief passed down by his late grandfather: “We make money; money doesn’t make us.” He has built Avemel’s organisational culture around this principle. “We value our clients and relationships above profit. While sustainability is essential, we believe that if we uplift our clients, they will, in turn, uplift our business. Relationships are the foundation of everything.” Over two decades, Aven Naidu has shaped the Avemel Group into a symbol of sustainable impact and purposeful growth. His journey demonstrates resilience, vision and humility. It reflects his belief that leadership is an act of service and an investment in people. His legacy is one of opportunity, empowerment and enduring commitment to transformative business and community development.