Issuu

EDITION 12 | DEC/JAN 2021

The investing woman

JANUARY & THE PANDEMIC Have you planned for the unknown?

FOUR Ways to innovate the workspace

Are you her? Why this is time to be her? Aligning your purpose to your career with Nonpumelelo Mbonane

money hygiene habits to harness in 2021

+5 Healthy lifestyle myths

Helen Namponya On slaying goals, juggling and her love for radio

CONTENTS REGULARS 09 10 12 14

MONEY COACH MENTAL HEALTH HEALTH FOCUS BUSINESS BITS

FEATURES Pics by Tank Khumalo Make up by Keora Wolff

18 SLAYING THE PR GAME 22 GIN CRAFTER LOOKING AT TAKING ON THE LOCAL MARKET 24 DREAMING BIG FOR HER WELLNESS SPA 26 PURSUING HER PURPOSE AND INFLUENCING THE YOUTH 32 THE FASHIONISTA WITH A PLAN

FOCUS ON HEALTHY HABITS 08 NEW MONEY HABITS TO HARNESS IN 2021 11 ANXIETY WARNING: KNOW THE TYPES 12 MYTH BUSTING TRUTHS ON HEALTHY LIVING

Happy 2021 2

TRENDS 23 BLACK OWNED HOT BEVS TO KNOW 30 THE SUMMER CHILLAZ LOOK BY BYSSIE CLOSET 35 FOOD: WWHAT'S COOKING THIS SUMMER? 36 GETTING WOMEN TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH STA-SOF-FRO

Which local brew do you choose? See Pg 23 Check out some health habits that are just myth. Pg 12

THIS IS ISSUE

Follow our social medi platforms to win yourself a hamper. See Pg 15

A GEM see pg 16

The taste of Houghton crafted Gin. See Pg 22

editor's note

Ready for the unknown

Check out our competitions on our social media platforms @ignitedwoman_

hose of us who believe in God know that we always have to be truthful, especially where His work in our lives is concerned. So here goes! 2020, one of the most difficult years for mankind, has been a year of evident growth for Ignited Woman magazine and Kanna Media Group. Unlike 2019 which was full of shocking realities, 2020 has seen us accessing markets and conglomerates we could only hunt for in 2019. So yes we expect 2021 to be even better. Of course this does not mean we did not have our own struggles this year, we had our fair share, but I personally believe that the challenges we experienced in 2019 totally prepared us for this year. When lockdown happened for example, we were already working from home or remotely as corporate calls it. We knew what zoom calls were and had developed a working system. Companies that may have had issues with our address found themselves at home and therefore made it easier for them to open up to this emerging but dynamic publication. So, as much as we were in a puddle, we were not as deep as previously and for that we are grateful. To friends and fellow business owners who may have had a tougher year; know that the best is yet to come. Keep pressing, keep pushing, keep digging because your today prepares for your tomorrow. Happy holidays and all the best for 2021.

Founder & editor Kamogelo Seekoei

Content Lead Basetsana Makhalemele writer tshego ramoupi graphic designer Basetsana makhalemele tumelo mosue

Contributors Dr Relebohile Ncha Dr Nkomile Setlaba Dikonelo mile edith mjuluki mpho mabote

Advertising Thabang Mabale LIJ media

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MAKE FINANCIAL HYGIENE HABIT FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR MONEY As devastating as it has been to both the health and economic wellbeing of people across the world, Covid-19 has also provided us with a number of valuable lessons for the future. By Aneesa Razack

Interestingly, these aren’t limited just to the importance of good personal hygiene as a way of protecting ourselves from illness; there are also interesting parallels that we can draw between looking after our health and developing habits to protect our finances.

Money hygiene habit 1 - Take regular stock of your financial health. Covid-19 has definitely highlighted the truth of that old saying that prevention is better than cure, and it also applies to our finances.” I recommend investing some time regularly to give your finances a thorough check-up and ensure that the goals you set, and habits you have developed, are still serving you well as your circumstances change. Money hygiene habit 2- Sanitize your spending. Thanks to Covid-19, most of us are more aware than ever of the need to regularly wash and sanitize our hands to prevent infection, and we now need to transfer that good habit to our finances by making sure that we wash away any bad or impulsive spending habits that are impacting on the health of our money. This spending sanitisation is especially important as we approach the festive season.

Money hygiene habit 3 - Mask your money from debt infection. Masks are now largely accepted as an effective way of protecting ourselves, and others from infection. It’s just as important to protect our finances from a form of infection that can also be devastating to our money – debt. While debt is not all bad, and it can be a useful way of accessing what you need, the importance of managing it well, and avoiding exposure to too much of it can’t be overstated. Money hygiene habit 4 - Keep your distance from bad money decisions. Health experts advise that the best way to prevent infection is to minimise exposure to the virus through social distancing or avoiding direct contact with people who have been exposed to the virus. Money hygiene habit 5 - Avoid fiddling with your investments. Experts remind us to avoid constantly touching our eyes, mouth and nose, as one the precautionary measures against infections. The same advice applies to any investment portfolio, and we need to avoid the temptation to tinker with our asset allocations and our investment plans every time the markets change. The best way to do that, is to avoid allowing yourself to be influenced by short-term market movements. and keep your eyes firmly on your long-term goals. Aneesa Razack, CEO of FNB Share Trading

DECEMBER 2016

The investing woman!

Why you should become her! By Dikonelo Mile

"Give a woman a dollar, and she can put it to good use. Teach her about how money really works, and she can change the world,” says Linda Davis Taylor, CEO and chairman of Clifford Swan Investment Counselors. Why should women invest you ask. Women are naturally nurturing and caring for their communities. Imagine what powerful changes can happen when women also have the financial resources to take care of their communities. Netflix's show, Self Made: Inspired by the life of Madame C.J Walker , is a great example of why it is important for women to invest in themselves , their finances and dreams.

Saving, is putting money away for a specific reason whilst investing is putting money in a financial vehicle/asset, that will financially move you from point A to point B. There are different and many types of investments out there.

Investment style

Your investment style is based on your financial goals, time and your risk appetite. You have heard of the saying, no risk, no reward. Just like in life, every new step requires a leap of faith. Some of the assets you could Investments generally have a level invest in are: risk attached to them, ranging from low risk to high risk. However even with taking risks, it is Real Estate - investing in property important to take calculated risk. that appreciates over time can be You have to determine if you are an good for your portfolio. aggressive investor or conservative investor. Aggressive Investments yield Stocks - when you have part higher returns over time with a high ownership in a company and the risk, whilst conservative investments Women and Investments company performs well, the stock are stable with lower risk. How long increases in value. There are Research shows that, out of all assets also other types of paper assets such you are planning to invest and your goals will determine your portfolio. controlled by women, 71% is in cash. as bonds and mutual funds. Remember no to put all your eggs in This is because women do not think they know enough about investments Running a profitable business one basket. and wait until they are older to invest. Starting a business which becomes It is important to have a strong profitable. You can decide to sell the foundation before investing. company at a later stage or expand This is achieved by adapting finance it. Dikonelo Mile is Managing principles such as saving, budgeting, Director at Success increasing sources of income and Money Market Accounts - These Tuned, she can be found researching what you are to invest in. are interest earing accounts at a on: Knowing the basics to what you are bank or credit union. info@successtuned.co.za investing in is key. Remember to always differentiate between saving and investing.

Mental Health

Anxiety

The ball and chain that is the worry disorder By Dr Ntswaki Setlaba

The impact of the pandemic on the mental status of individuals has been one that cannot be ignored. The common mental disorders (CMDs) have been at the forefront of reported cases to various health care sectors. It is therefore important to shine the spotlight on these commonly reported disorders, with a special focus on anxiety. Major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders and panic disorders are amongst the many psychiatric disorders that our clients presented with to the emergency departments and outpatient offices. Having said that, anxiety disorders existed prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and furthermore, some individuals did not get affected by said disorders, despite having been part of the pandemic. An indication of what has previously been stated, a stressor may be part of the development of a mental illness, but it is not always a requirement. Likening anxiety to a ball and chain comes from seeing some of my patients’ perspective on anxiety. I found that some would describe themselves in respect of the anxiety, “I’m an anxious person,” and some taking ownership of the anxiety, “My anxiety”. This would then result in their feeling powerless and unable to separate themselves from it. Whereas a ball and chain, even though heavy, as is anxiety, its burden can still be lessened if not completely removed.

Anxiety is part of human nature, a basic instinct that all of us have. It serves as a guide in decision making and gives us drive to function in society in order to ensure survival. However, in some individuals the anxiety is severe and impairs such functioning. In which instance then, an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, and treatment is required. The sympathetic nervous system is a branch of the autonomic nervous system that is essential for survival. It is a system involved in the fight, flight or freeze mode that comes into play when we are faced with danger. It switches on, and allows us to prepare for the action necessary when faced with a challenge or life threatening situation. In patients with anxiety disorders the sympathetic nervous system is always switched on. Every situation is mis-/interpreted as threatening. The underlying dynamic of all anxiety disorders is overestimation of a threat and underestimation of an individual’s abilities to overcome the perceived threat. Most, if not all of the patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders will describe themselves as having always being anxious or they are unsure when the anxiety really started.

Types of anxiety disorders

1. Separation anxiety 5.Generalised anxiety Usually first diagnosed in infants, children or adolescents. It is characterized as developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety occurring upon separation or threat of separation from significant attachment.

2. Social anxiety 6. Also known as social phobia, is characterized by marked fear of social and performance situations that often result in avoidance. The individuals fear that they will do or say something that results in humiliation or embarrassment; and fear that they will benegatively evaluated. Social situations are often avoided or endured with marked anxiety.

3. Panic disorder

Characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. The attacks or prospect thereof results in a concern or worry about additional attacks and change in behaviour in order to avoid such attacks.

4. Selective mutism Failure of the individual (mostly children) to speak in nearly all social situations, despite normally developed speech, evidenced by normal speech when with parents.

Characterized by nervousness, physical symptoms and worry across multiple domains of the individuals’ lives (e.g. finances, health, work, well-being of loved ones). The worry is persistent and difficult to control.

Specific phobia

Marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation (e.g. heights, dark, blood, flying, enclosed spaces).

7. Obsessive compulsive Characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted repetitive thoughts that usually contain themes of harm and danger, and lead to severe anxiety. In order to lessen the anxiety, the individuals then perform rituals or acts that are known as compulsions.

8. Trauma and Stressor This consists of several disorders which cause clinically significant impairment in functioning following exposure to trauma or stressful situations. Included under this category are Reactive Attachment Disorder, Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Adjustment Disorder). The specific disorder will be diagnosed following a clinical evaluation.

5 HEALTHY LIFESTYLE MYTHS WE STILL BELIEVE When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, there is information galore, some of it even contradictory. From the amount of food to eat and the types of foods to avoid, the time of day to have a meal, to setting your diet regimen and how often to exercise; you will find plenty of contradicting facts that keep you as confused as ever about what exactly to do. Its an information overload mess. We have put together five common myths about living a healthy lifestyle.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day Many people are convinced that’s it’s impossible to lose weight and lead a healthy lifestyle without a hearty breakfast. But this is not true. The latest studies show that people who skip their breakfast, eat less during the day than those who eat in the morning. Either way — trust your instincts, if you wake up and don’t have appetite yet, don’t force yourself.

It’s OK to skip your dinner How can this be a myth really? Many people think that it’s bad to eat in the evening. But modern studies show that if you constantly skip your dinner, it can slow down your metabolism, cause a drop in blood sugar, make you tired, and cause you to overeat at breakfast and lunch the next day. Researchers recommend having something healthy and light for dinner; vegetables and protein would be a great choice that won’t harm your health and body.

Consuming meals after 7pm makes you fat This is another one of those myths that most people still believe. However, it is not proven by any scientificbacked research that establishes a connection between time and food. So it does not make any difference if you have your meals at 7 in the morning or evening.

Eating only vegetables keeps diseases at bay Why is this a myth? Though it is widely believed that vegetarians are healthier than omnivorous and carnivorous, it is not always true. In fact, omnivorous can be much healthier than people who consume only vegetables because meat contains a rich amount of iron, protein, vitamin and calcium.

Everyday workouts are ideal No, they aren’t. Only professional athletes, whose muscles are accustomed to these workloads, work out every day. If we overdo it and start going to the gym without taking breaks, it will harm our muscles because they won’t have a chance to recover. You can do yoga or a few exercises in the mornings every day — this can be really helpful. But as for intense workouts, scientists recommend to spend only 5 hours a week on those. Some of the content taken from www.brightside .com

Business Bits

PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE UNKNOWN – INNOVATE THE WORK SPACE DUE TO THE CHALLENGES FACED DURING THE YEAR AND BROUGHT ON BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SOME OF US MAY FIND OURSELVES SHORT ON THE REGULAR SAVING WE ACCUMULATE EACH YEAR. By Edith Mjuluki

Many people lost their job while others earned less due to less time spent at work. This year completely took all of us by surprise and the economy is struggling. So it’s safe to say it is unclear how the end of 2020 will be celebrated. We are not sure if we are to expect the usual or something new. Usually, companies or businesses close the year with "Year End Staff Parties". However, 2020 will somehow have a unique way to end. With all that in mind, I believe 2021 might be just as unpredictable. The question is are we prepared as business owners for the unknown? According to Business Tech survey published on July 15 2020, approximately three million

people lost their jobs during the lockdown period, putting more pressure on job creation as the need for creating employment opportunities remains a necessity. I find it necessary that our government invest in youth owned businesses to create employment and income opportunities. This is important because looking at the number of matriculants who are currently writing their final exams, it will be a challenge for some to access tertiary studies. What sort of measures can government and businesses take to make 2021 a better year?

With all that in mind, I believe 2021 might be just as unpredictable.

a) Employee vs service provider Instead of having full time employees, I find an option of creating positions for "independent contractors" rather safe for those who can. b) Train young entrepreneurs Government needs to create a platform through universities and colleges for gifted and talented school leavers who have innovative ideas. c) Covid-19 With the Covid-19 still around us, it is not clear what the future holds as far as Covid-19 is concerned. What we know for sure is that, Covid-19 has changed the way we do things. It has changed the future of doing business globally.

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Special Feature

A GEM IN THE CITY OF ROSES

The new Premier Splendid Inn Bloemfontein is a gem right in the heart of the city. The newly renovated hotel with its modern architecture and refreshing interior décor offers a tranquil energy smack in the middle of the buzzing Zastron Street. The hotel is conveniently located in close proximity to Free State Government Departments; the SARS office is directly opposite the hotel, sports stadiums, renowned schools, as well as historical and cultural landmarks such as the National Museum, the University of Free State and the Supreme Court of Appeal. Also a short 10 km drive from Bloemfontein Airport and the Waterfront Mimosa Mall is approximately 1km from the hotel.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES Premier Splendid Inn Bloemfontein offers a magnificent boutique conference experience for organisers looking for something new. The sound proofed conference room is equipped with the latest audio visual equipment incorporating screens, roving and lapel microphones, flexible lighting solutions for any set up and poster holders. Delegates can also enjoy dining in an enclosed rooftop area, whilst there are convenient pause and pre-assembly areas available.

RESTAURANT The Fountains restaurant has a tempting menu with a variety of dishes available including Durban-style lamb curry, vegetarian, chicken or beef gourmet burgers, Macufe-mix grill and pasta dishes. Halaal meals are also offered. The open plan kitchen behind the buffet area creates a vibrant atmosphere for customers. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner (a la carte & buffet style dining).

ROOMS The hotel has 88 rooms that include 20 double rooms, 50 twin, 13 king, 3 executive and 2 disabled bedrooms in a comfortable, contemporary and spacious setting.

Black Girl Magic

Slaying the PR game By Basetsana Makhalemele

andid, talkative and energetic, these are some of the adjectives that we can use to describe the full of life and one of Bloemfontein’s it girls, Helen Namponya. The effervescent help takes time to speak to Ignited Woman’s creative director, Basetsana Makhalemele about life, work and everything else in between. Ignited Woman (IW): Please briefly tell us about yourself and where you are from? Helen Namponya (HN): My parents are Malawian - born and bred. I was born in the Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone Botswana, raised in the Eastern Cape (Fort Beaufort and Port Elizabeth) and I guess matured (like a fine wine - cliche hahaha but oh well) in Botswana.

I'm a laugh a minute because I enjoy laughing - you've got to find the humour in everything. Life is stressful and manic enough. LAUGH! Fun Fact - Helen is Greek for "light". Ek is die ligte. IW: Can you tell us about the business ventures you are involved in? HN: Giiiirl, I'm not currently involved in business so to speak. I have dabbled in artist/talent management as well as celebrity assisting (the former shall NEVER be repeated). I do some copy writing and voice over work here for some known and unknown brands...wines, tourism, domestic violence, youth employment agencies as well.

I've done a lot of pausing and restructuring this year - the past I'm floating around my 30s as a few years were brutal so I needed mom to Gabisile aka Gabi aka The to slow down. Cut out some Gabz aka Gabi Smallz, business, took a break from my sibling/daughter (youngest of five Master's studies and opted to focus and probably the owner on ME. of the biggest mouth in the family), colleague, broadcaster, craziest friend (everyone deserves IW: You are known to be in the a ME - I'm awesome for the communication and media laughs) and who knows maybe industry and you are doing someone's future wife (God bless extremely well. Why did you him). choose that field? HN: To be honest, I think it chose Those who know me would say I me and if my dad had his way I'd have a big personality however probably be a financial journalist (I those who don't would say I'm shudder at the thought). I'd thought unfriendly with a resting bitch I would be an investigative face. What you get depends on journalist (after thinking I'd be a who you are. I'm an introvert with forensic entomologist but then I a small circle. I keep myself and woke up one morning and hated my life private - not everyone worms, that's a story for another deserves to know you or your day). business. I'm a passionate person with the gift of the gab, I guess that’s why I'm also in radio.

I matriculated in 2005 and went on to study Media Studies as the UFS didn't offer Journalism at that stage.

During this period I was introduced to PR, internal communication and the like. I just found myself drawn to the field and I suppose the fact that it's generally unpredictable is what I liked most. I get bored quickly. In this field, I could be coordinating an event today, writing a speech or release tomorrow, doing media drops the next. I love that and being able to interact with people from all walks of life - there are many lessons to be learnt from the people we meet.

IW: What is your impression about the media landscape in the Free State and how do you want to change the game in the province? HN: New technology as well as the lockdown saw a number of content creators pop up across traditional media and /internet social media which is a good thing. This allows for broader thinking and challenges content creators to think out of the box and give the people what they want because there is more competition.

Don't compromise yourself! Ever! Also trust your gut. If it tells you to run then run!

How do I want to change the game? I don't. I don't wake up thinking "how can I change the game/media landscape?" I'm merely someone who loves what she does passionately. I also know who I am and what I want to achieve...sometimes (more often than not) I step on toes and sometimes I don't. I'm driven by what I want to achieve for myself and what lessons I want my daughter to learn from me.

IW: Congratulations on your new career venture in retail, what role are you playing and how has the journey been so far? HN: Thank you. I'm in two minds about whether to speak about it because I generally keep my two worlds apart...we all know Ms Helen, who you know from broadcasting, has a big old mouth. 9-5 Helen is not her. I'm in the PR field for one of Africa's biggest food retailers where my portfolio includes public relations, CSI and events. Additionally, we run mobile soup kitchens which provide hunger relief in our division which Free State, Northern Cape, parts of North West as well as Lesotho. Look, I had been The Grads Girl for so long I ate, breathed, lived, slept graduations. I was graduations and graduations were me. My experience in retail is zero so it's an exciting challenge for me to learn about collections, shrinkage, swell allowances, stock ordering and so on. I'm incredibly blessed to be in an environment that is conducive to my growth and development and welcoming of my expertise.

We pray for jobs but forget to pray for good bosses and environments that will allow us to thrive. I got both.

IW: How do you juggle everything that you do? And what keeps you motivated to be the women you are today? HN: How do I juggle everything? Hahahaha I love your jokes. I don't. Phela remember there in the beginning I said "I'm floating through my 30s". I take it each day as it comes. I used to be very hard on myself and would work through the night to complete tasks. I pace myself and I prioritize and I don't feel bad about what I didn't get to I'll get to that tomorrow. It's also important to not think one is a superhuman which I used to. You parent, you study, you work, you hustle, you nurture, you wife/husband, you butcher, you bake, you candlestick make. Why do we do this to ourselves? I am absolutely not successfully juggling everything and I have no qualms about it. I'm human. IW: Do you think the role of women in the media industry is taken seriously and what can be improved? HN: Gender parity may be an issue for years to come. We are underrepresented, face numerous safety/harassment issues and generally aren't faced with the same challenges or afforded the same opportunities as our male counterparts. It irks me that in 2020, we are still having this conversation. That is proof enough that we have a long way to go. IW: What has been the highlight of your journey in the media industry? HN: Geez I've had a few highlights, last year I was invited to moderate the Standard Bank Top Women's Conference. That was huge for me to share spaces with the Caster Semenyas and Dr Precious Motsepe-Moloi's of this world. What a flippen honour.

I think serving on the advisory board for Miss Commonwealth SA is definitely a highlight along with casting for two SA Tourism adverts, coming up with the Young Alumnus of the Year award during my time at UFS and winning awards for graduations and the Chancellor's Distinguished Alumni Awards are highlights. I did the Top Billing Presenter Search and made it into the top 100 (that was the year Jonathan ntoni ntoni won). Doing that walk in front of the judges with cameras and praying that you don't trip and end up meeting your ancestors. What an experience!

IW: What would you say to a younger Helen who planned to be in the media industry? HN: R.U.N. Ma Hellza and marry rich. LOL! Seriously, keep trusting your gut and refuse to compromise yourself. IW: What has been the most challenging part of your journey thus far? How did you overcome those challenges?

HN: Suffering from imposter syndrome challenged me. I found myself in spaces/environments where everything was questioned and doubted, that made me doubt myself. I had to dig real deep to deliver quality work while second guessing myself. It's difficult to get the hell out of your own head.

IW: What expansion plans are you looking for the next 2 to 5 years regarding your career? HN: Ultimately I'd like to be a spokesperson and get into mainstream broadcasting (I told you, my gift is the gab). I'm actually obsessed with the idea of being an NPA spokesperson. Obsessed. IW: Message to other women who are finding it hard to crack the media industry. HN: This applies to all genders and is not specific to a particular industry. Don't compromise yourself! Ever! Also trust your gut. If it tells you to run then run!

Innovator

THE HEART OF MAKING GIN

SETTING HER EYES ON BEVERAGES By Kamogelo Seekoei

omen are truly rising up and taking their rightful place in society. They are no longer seeking a voice but making their voices heard, because guess what, women have always had a voice. Pretoria born and Johannesburg based, Nonhlanhla Ditshego is one such woman. Her company Vuttomi Beverages, which develops coffees and gin crafts is taking over the beverages world hot and spirit. Her business is based in the heart of Houghton in Johannesburg. In a space of just two years Ditshego has already bagged two wards for her Vuttomi Gin. Her classic craft as well as moringa craft both won the gold medal in the 2020 SA Craft Gin Awards. “This is one of the highlights of the business. And it is encouraging to already have these awards because we officially started this business in October 2019. Informally we started in 2018 but had to wait for a trading licence, in the meantime we perfected our crafts and established our business systems as well as learnt the gin industry”.

Her gin crafts also include a coffee, which is a passion of hers. So much so that she has also developed several blends of coffee under her company. Her brand can be found across multiple online platforms across Gauteng and some retail stores. Culture of buying local In South Africa there is still a struggle to get locals to trust locally made products. It’s more prestigious to be seen with brands from abroad. But this is a culture that this businesswoman wants done away with. Nonhlanhla admits she cannot wait for the day when South Africans go out of their way to buy locally made products. She says buying local has a lot of benefits, for one the economy grows and we can also create employment. With growing businesses come a lot of jobs. She says buying local is the right thing to do. “Plus we produce quality products for our people because we care for them and we know what they want and deserve. We don’t offer half measures.”

Black Owned

For the love of coffee

Black owned brands to know Complied by Basetsana Makhalemele

Grinda Coffee Co Founder: Margo Fargo Contact: orders@grindacoffeeco.co.za Location: Bloemfontein, FreeState

Sihle's Brew Founder: Sihle Magubane Contact: 082 041 4552 / 082 041 4552 Location: Randburg, Gauteng

Monate Coffee General manager: Tumi Khobane Contact: 011 548 8455 / 065 385 8455 Location: Fourways, Gauteng

Vuttomi Liquids Founder: Nonhlanhla Ditshego Contact: 076 630 8320 Location: Houghton, Gauteng

House of Indiza Tea Founder: Kgaladi Thema-Sethoga Contact: 078 633 3536 Location: Pretoria

Setsong Tea Founder: Summer Trading Contact: 079 967 8063 Location: Limpopo

Game Changer

THE FUTURE LOOKS FRANCHISED By Basetsana Makhalemele

More young women are finding their way to build and create their empires and do what fulfills their hearts rather than stay in a corporate job. The young and ambitious entrepreneur, mother, award winning Tumelo Rathobei happens to fit this bill. Tumelo is the owner of Botshelo Wellness and Fitness, which offers spa treatments, a nail bar and a gym to residents of the small town of Thaba Nchu, in the Free State.

The business journey When she returned back home after her tertiary studies, Tumelo realized that there was a gap in the market for a service that she needed frequently, beauty. So in 2014 she took the plunge. "I have always appreciated looking pretty at all times. I did not find a suitable place which offered such services around town, so I started a business to close the gap," she says.

"Always trust in God, work extremely hard with a strategy. Be humble and always accept criticism, it builds one from their mistakes and makes one a better person."

Tumelo started drafting a business plan on how she would go about her new business venture which led her into entering a competition called Free State enterprise job creation challenge. "I entered the competition and by God's grace I won myself a prize and that was a start. I took a loan and together, the funds assisted in starting my baby," she says. Botshelo Wellness and Fitness has all your beauty services under one roof, it offer some free consultation on weight loss, or weight gain, maintenance and self-care, more especially on facials. She explains that the business uses organic products designed for dark African skins and makes sure each client is served to suit their needs. What really sparked the young entrepreneur's interest to venture into this industry was to have decent, classy places to have all beauty, health and wellness needs catered for. Comfortable, professional and hygienic facilities, that is what she prides herself in offering. Her passion for health and wellness has driven her to take part organising health and wellness events including a fun walk/run and a lot of voluntary work at CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa). "I continue to set myself apart by having clean and hygienic premises where all the treatments are done. It’s my way of showing my clients respect and of saying hey we may be in a small town but we deserve world class," she says.

Business highlights and goals According to Tumelo, one of her greatest successes was when she was featured on a TV program called Making Moves SABC 1. "I felt so honoured and humbled that my business from such a small town has made it through," she adds. Her hard work and drive has really paid off, which led her to win several awards from Free State enterprise job creation challenge, SAB Kickstart boost, FDC woman in business award.

Her goals keep her motivated, she declares. "When I think of all I need to achieve, I just get fueled up. It gives me so much energy, I feel like the sky is not even the limit," she says. "My dreams wake me up motivated and enthusiastic and most of all God. I know that in him everything and anything is possible," she adds. Tumelo's prayer for the future is to see Botshelo Wellness and Fitness become a franchise in other parts of the province. She muses at the idea of Botshelo Wellness and Fitness having a beauty school which will assist young girls who are less privileged but want to go into the beauty business.

Challenges According to Tumelo the greatest challenge she has faced has been employees who were not dedicated, motivated and full of positive energy. "I then decided to try and give a little bit of training before I work with them so as to transfer the good energy to them which will then be transferred to my clients," she says. COVID19 also played a huge role in challenging her on a personal and professional level as she had to move to temporarily close her business, move to a new premises and redesign her spa. Financial difficulties were obviously not left behind. "It was not easy at all, one experiencing a bit of financial challenges, but with God's grace we managed to overcome," she says.

Motherhood With everything that Tumelo does in the business world she still manages to be the best for her daughter. She says being a mother is such a blessing to her and she tries by all means to manage her time very well to cater for her daughter, to give her love and care that she needs.

Disruptor

Aligning with her purpose By Basetsana Makhalemele

hen she entered the corporate world through a graduate programme at one of Pan-Africa’s leading banks, the eyes of Purpose Alignment Strategist, Nompumelelo Mbonane’s youth were opened and she took a different direction in her career. Until this moment Nompumelelo had felt unfulfilled in a field she had studied for. The qualified Mining Engineer from Wits University knew from the get go that she was in the wrong place and would not stay. Her dream had always been to work closely with people, developing them, teaching them, activating their full potential and helping them achieve great success and not engineering. Mining was not what I wanted for my life. I had never, ever imagined myself becoming an engineer," she admits.

At the beginning of 2017, after completing her vacation work at a goldmine in the Westrand, the young and ambitious Nompumelelo was offered a 3-year internship, because of her hard work and doing so well in presenting her research project as a vacation student. "I still knew that mining wasn't it. I prayed to God for guidance and He told me to let it go if it wasn’t what I wanted. So I declined the offer. With no other job prospects," she chuckles. The young woman from Soweto, in Gauteng, says most people in the corporate world expressed how they would rather be elsewhere doing different things with their lives. Their jobs caused them to miss important moments in their children’s lives and gradually compromise their values and integrity.

They closed deals for their business units, but no deals were closed for their own dreams.

Aligning to her purpose It was her consistent, earnest plea and dedication to go after a life of meaning and work a job that aligns to her purpose that the road to purpose discovery became clear. "It was when the reality of corporate South Africa became so vivid to me that I got clear on who I was then called to rescue with what I now knew," she says. Shortly after declining this offer, she was offered another internship at a mining technical consulting firm and worked there for just under a year. "Every day of my time there felt empty. I wasn’t where my passions and skills belonged. I was out of alignment," she says. For Nompumelelo to get out of this rut, she had to undergo what she calls an earnest pursuit in which she asked God to reveal her purpose because she knew that’s what was missing. "I left that job and went in a completely different direction. The finance industry. And things started falling into place from this point onwards," she adds. Infusing purpose in young professionals In November 2019 her business Purpose Practitioners Club was launched. The business guides young professionals who feel stuck in careers they settled for and jobs they quite frankly hate; to discover their purpose and turn it into a fulfilling, impactful and sustainable profession. "Having to run the business now for one year, I can say that God has always met me at my point of need," she says. For instance, I was approached by a digital marketing agent who has been doing our marketing now for the latter part of 2020. To achieve her work and diversify her reach she also established a podcast called Purpose Practitioners Club that serves the purpose of giving sound (biblical) counsel for purpose practitioners to thrive.

It is relaunching in 2021, and all the listeners are going to be blown away by the quality of the content, and the expert advice they will be receiving. It’s available on Spotify, Apple podcasts, Deezer, Stitcher, and literally where all podcasts can be found. Through the podcast they run their signature 3-month programme called Purpose to Profession, which they will be opening enrollment for in the first quarter of 2021. This is the ultimate place for live coaching and consulting sessions where young professionals discover their purpose, establish a profession from it, and gain tools to thrive in it. Her company also runs an on-demand starter course, that is available on www.purposepractitioners.club. It is a course with 21 lessons that is excellent for those who want a good handle and understanding on purpose and are not yet at a place where they can commit to the 3-month programme. "We’re looking to work with brands on meaningful collaborations and also take the work of Purpose Practitioners Club into corporates," she says. Highlights: One of the highlights since she started working with young professionals and assisting them redefine their purpose is the feedback she receives. "Hearing them confidently understand and articulate their purpose, brings me joy, seeing them establish their professions on purpose, now that does something to me that I cannot even put into words," she says. God is real and I see Him in the results that He achieves in my clients through the vessel that is me. Sound advice: I’m only responding to a need that already exists in young professionals. We all seek purpose, and if that purpose can be aligned to a job we spend the healthiest days of our lives in, and our most productive hours at, that is even more favourable,"she adds.

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ugulethu Sibisi or Gugu as she's known to her clients, runs an online boutique called Gugu's Style Boutique. "Our boutique serves woman of all shapes and sizes, we believe that all women are uniquely beautiful and should be celebrated. Contact the team on Facebook "Dress to make a fashion statement" or call us on 0720166008. She delivers across all 9 provinces.

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Getting women to the next level By Basetsana Makhalemele

few lucky women are beaming with pride after they were announced as the winners of the Sta-Sof-Fro #ItsOnUS campaign. The brand returned with a refreshed campaign that is more impactful than ever before, this year. The campaign sought to assist women who needed financial assistance to avert the effects of the lockdown. In 2020 the most unprecedented challenges and changes took place that have affected and continue to affect South Africans and nations across the globe due to the COVID-19 health pandemic.

An otherwise bleak outlook has seen news of jobs lost, livelihoods risked and worse- loss of lives. Sta-Sof-Fro has paved ways to give bring change in the to their consumers and the community by introducing #ItsOnUs Speaking to Ignited Woman Sta-Sof-Fro Brand Manager Lerato Tikwayo said in the spirit of positivity and empowerment, Sta-Sof-Fro was still committed to providing value and giving back to loyal customers. “It's On Us was born out a real necessity consumers face today. Sta-Sof-Fro has undertaken to comply with the safety regulations of South Africa’s lockdown and replace the seminar events with tangible assistance for women in need at this time,” she said. The brand has enlisted the expertise of The Corporate Canvas and Women & Finance to cultivate real solutions and tools to navigate, survive or even thrive at this time. From September to November, Sta-Sof-Fro offered debt relief in the area of education, bonds/rental payments and vehicle repayments. 20 women will receive assistance to a total combined value of over R200 000. "We are all about empowerment and making a tangible impact in the lives of South African women, as such we wanted to ensure the most marginalised of our valued consumers are afforded the opportunity to get assistance- both from a financial stance, as well as information. So we are thrilled to be partnering with these powerhouses to make it happen,” commented Tikwayo.