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CREATIVE•INSPIRED•INFLUENTIAL
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I S S U E 1 A U G U S T 2 0 2 1
KIRSTEN HODGSON / THULELENI MBHANSA / CHANTELLE FORREST MYBURGH / RENE FOURIE / HELLEN MARIMIRA / NAOMI HOLDT
Letter From The Editor
I was reminded by facebook that it was a year ago today, 29th July 2020, when the concept of Pink was conceived. Like any birth process it has not been without its labor pains and aches. A lot of tears were shed but today I am overjoyed that the baby has been born and that she is finally here to share with the world.
She is Pink is an extension of the Pink brand and a vessel to share the stories and testimonies of some phenomenal women, some of whom I have had the pleasure to meet and some who have made an incredible impact and left a footprint on my heart through the work they do.
My desire is for this publication to offer inspiration and encouragement to women from all walks of life, Women intentional on becoming the best versions of themselves.
We all have a unique story to tell and if I can offer you the slightest glimpse of hope then that's my part done in this world. Be inspired from their stories and create your own story for the world to see. We are all destined for greatness.
Loads of Pink Love Thabi
SHE IS: INDUSTRY INFLUENCER
The motor industry has always been seen as a male-dominated workplace but in recent years more women have started occupying their own space within it. It was refreshing to chat to a woman firmly positioned in the driver's seat of this fast and furious industry.
Kirsten Hodgson is many things to many people, a mother, daughter, friend, cat angel, dealer principal, life coach, and mentor. Her everyday actions, words, and decisions inspire, impact and affect those around her.
Kirsten Hodgson: Dealer Principal - SMG North Coast
Nearly 19 years ago, Kirsten trail blazed her way through the motor industry, becoming the youngest female Dealer Principal at the age of 26 and today steers a tight ship as the first Female Dealer Principal for the Sean McCarthy Group (SMG) in the North Coast.
Born and raised in the small town of Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natals North Coast, Kirsten was raised by a single mom and grew up in a safe and conducive environment, her grandfather and later, step father stepped in as positive male models in her formative years.
She detested sport and dissatisfied with her high school going experience, a head strong Kirsten dropped out in Grade 10. Determined to do it on her own she successfully completed her senior certificate through Intec.
It was at the tender age of 17, that Kirsten started off at the front desk of a car dealership answering phones and doing administrative work. The more time she spent in this environment the deeper her desire to grow in it, Kirsten was certain of three things. She wanted to make money, she wanted to drive the cars in the showroom and she wanted to be in Durban.
A far cry from the meteorologist she had aspired to become in her younger years, the seed would soon been planted in good soil.
“My life was simple, I didn’t grow up with the fancy things other children had, but at the time I lacked for nothing. It was only when I was older that I came to realise that I was actually poor" – Thuleleni Mbhansa
Thuleleni Mbhansa: Lawyer And Business Owner SHE IS: HARDWORKING
From humble origins, Thuleleni and her siblings were raised by her late grandmother Jabulisiwe Nancy Dube nee Mthethwa, in Esikhaleni, a settlement on the outskirts of
KwaZulu-Natals North Coast town of Richards Bay. A God fearing woman, her grandmother taught her to always choose the truth no matter who it made uncomfortable and to also be straightforward and concise, traits and values she abides by today.
Compassionate by nature Thuleleni knew that she wanted to help people when she grew up. Undecided between becoming a social worker or a doctor , it was during a science lesson at school, when her cousin convinced her to become a lawyer. A decision she today reflects back on with no regrets.
The metaphysical sense and beckoning to practice medicine and heal others came calling a few years later when she worked as an adjudicator for The Council for Medical Schemes. A stint in her life where she felt more like a medical practitioner than a lawyer. “Many are our plans but God decides our path" she chuckles.
A working mother to two young boys Mthunzi and Lenkosi, juggling her career, business and motherhood, Thuleleni admits the task is not easy. The demands of life and work, do not always make it possible to be available for them all the time, but open communication is key. “ The best way is to communicate with them. Be open, communicate and explain why you have to do what you do; you'd be surprised how understanding they can be” she says.
No two women are the same, we are all unique in colour, shape, size, personality, gifts and talents, yet we are all here for a purpose. As long as you have breath your story is not over and its our responsibility to be the best version of ourselves. ” Rene Fourie
Rene Fourie: Master Personal Trainer SHE IS: FIT AND UPROOTED
With more and more people making fitness a lifestyle choice, the wellness industry can authenticate that despite the covid 19 pandemic limiting consumer access to gyms, more and more fitness enthusiasts have shifted their perceptions towards online workout sessions and have embraced this method as a welcome solution to maintaining their mental well-being just as they would their physical health.
A single mother to two teenage girls, Zoe 17, and Kady 15, Rene is a full time Master Personal Trainer and owner of Uprooted, a personal training business, based in Durban’s western suburb of Westville in KwaZuluNatal.
Born into an athletic family environment helped to foster Rene's passion for fitness and her career began in 1999. Over the years she took up position as PT Mentor at Physical IQ as well as Group exercise instructor and Master Trainer at Virgin Active S.A (Westville) “It has been an ongoing journey of growing, learning, making mistakes and getting better not only within the health and fitness industry but as a person too” she says.
In between parenting and training Rene is also a part time senior model for
Extreme Model Management and serves as part of the worship team for her church, CRC Durban. “ I count myself blessed to be surrounded by amazing people and to be able to live a purposeful life”
Success is an art, and I am learning to master this art by finding the perfect balance between juggling diaper bags and laptop cases, I'm getting there. ” –Hellen Marimira
SHE IS: BUBBLING UNDER Statistics suggest that thousands of entrepreneurs start businesses every year. However after 4 years, more than 50 percent of those new start ups are gone. A good start is important to success and one way to achieve this is by identifying the right niche industries.
Hellen Marimira: Balloons on the Bay
Zimbabwean born wife, mom and entrepreneur Hellen Marimira has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Her first taste of the pie was in school where she purchased
Valentines Day inspired gift items for $2s each and sold them at $15’s a piece. “The concept of 'buy low - sell high' came so naturally to me. I knew that an entrepreneur was something I was destined to become but I always aspired to the status quo of having a "real" job.”
A Post Graduate in Business Management, Hellen struggled to find employment in line with her qualifications. One evening after a conversation with her husband he advised her not to be afraid to start out small, and so began her journey.
“I am blessed to have a partner who believes in and is supportive of me. Support, especially from a significant other, is crucial to the success of a business. I am able to go to him to express ideas, and he provides constructive criticism in order to produce a successful business and foster our marriage.”
“Food is culture, it's the vibe of any place you visit. You can't go anywhere without wanting to grab something to eat. ” Chantelle Forrest Myburgh
Chantelle Forrest Myburgh: Chef And Restaurant Owner SHE IS: SUSTENANCE
Food means different things to different people. To be able to “break bread together” encapsulates the power of a meal to build relationships, bury hate, anger and evoke joy and laughter, and we should celebrate this.
Growing up Chantelle remembers her childhood home as a bustling hub for gatherings with friends and family. “A piece of chuck would come off the braai with some “satsa" and gravy. My father was from Rhodesia and my mother Afrikaans” .
During special family visits the sweet aroma of her Ouma’s famous banana bread would fill her home and when she was at an age where she could start preparing meals for her family, it was from her mothers recipes that she drew inspiration. “My mom had hand written recipe books that smelt like the 1980”s" she recalls. When both her parents were indisposed, taking over the kitchen became her therapy. “So when grade 11 came, I had two career options, either becoming a chef or a nurse”.
The youngest in her family, and only one to further her studies post matric at the time, Chantelle’s father co signed on a student loan for her and she was accepted into the prestigious International Hotel School. Post graduation she worked in some of the worlds best chefs kitchens both locally and abroad, including Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, USA.
“People think I am a toughie, but I like to see myself more as an Armadillo. Rugged-looking shell and big shoulders for everyone around me, but on the inside I am actually just a soft and sensitive soul.”-Naomi Holdt
Naomi Holdt: Psychologist and Speaker SHE IS: DOING HER BEST
Naomi grew up in a very strict home. “I don’t have the greatest childhood memories but I do know that everything we experience in life makes us who we are today, and for that I am thankful”. Today she is a psychologist, wife and mother to two children, by her own admission the mom – work balance is always hard to juggle.
“I have always been passionate about working with kids, and I have worked with them in various ways since the age of thirteen, running holiday clubs and teaching Sunday school lessons. ” After high school she studied education and it was during her teaching years that she discovered her heart drawn towards pupils who were struggling. “That’s when I knew I had to do more, and I applied for my Masters in Psychology. I haven’t looked back since” she says.
Children are a part of a family system, and the challenges they display are due to difficulties within relationships- most often with parents.
Naomi advises that we cannot see the child as a ‘problem child’ , we have to see how we can heal a ‘problem relationship’ and that takes more work from the parent than the child. “Knowing the power of a healthy parenting relationship makes me so excited- as most work with children is exactly about that” .
