Celebrating Women in Business this Women’s Month at The Pavilion Shopping Centre
Traditionally in South Africa in August the spotlight falls on the role of courageous, strong women in society as we honour and remember the 1956 march of approximately 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to petition against the country’s pass laws.
NOW, nearly seven decades later, August remains a month to champion inspirational women and to provide platforms to hear their stories of resilience, perseverance and fortitude and give guidance to the young women who follow in the footsteps of the many remarkable women who have paved the way for the generations who follow.
Over the next few weeks, The Highway Mail in partnership with the Pavilion Shopping Centre, will look at women in business, to be inspired by their successes, and learn from their challenges.
The month will culminate with two performances of an hour-long women’s month concert by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of resident conductor, Chad Hendricks, with special guests, to be held at The Pav Fountain Court on Sunday 31 August, at 11am and 1pm. Entry is free and all are welcome.
The owner of Sorbet, Nazeera Naidoo’s inspiration comes from a deep passion for beauty and a desire to make people feel confident and seen. Describing Sorbet, she said the store is built on great service, where people always come before profit.
Although she has been in business for 10 years, the store has been at The Pavilion Shopping Centre for 13 years. She started at Sorbet as an employee in 2012, and taking ownership of the Pavilion branch in 2016 was a significant achievement for her.
What stands out for her is the revamp she undertook in 2018. “I clearly remember at the relaunch event the General Manager at that time, Nisha Kemraj, gave a speech where she expressed that she didn’t just see me owning this one branch, but many more. At that moment, I hadn’t fully processed her words, but The Pavilion branch had always been a goal since I first worked there. Today I proudly own two additional branches and I know I wouldn’t have reached this point without the foundation that The Pavilion branch provided,” she said.
Naidoo’s inspiration to become an entrepreneur has always been driven by growth, leadership, and the opportunity to create positive uplifting environments. Becoming an entrepreneur in this space allows me to combine purpose with impact, to lead with intention, empower teams and build experiences that truly make a difference in people’s lives. With her business, Naidoo hopes it inspires confidence, not just in their clients, but in the women that work with her and those watching from the outside.
Her advice to aspiring women in business is to have discipline. “Know what you want and stay grounded in your goals. Inner discipline is what separates short term hype from long term success. Be respectful with your finances, save every cent you can, especially in the beginning. I always say, work hard and make the sacrifices in your 20s, so you can live well and with freedom in your 30s. Stay focused, stay consistent, and don’t let the noise distract you, your future self will thank you.”
Sorbet – The Pavilion
Tel: 031 265 8409
Tel: 079 773 6487
www.sorbet.co.za
The Pavilion Shopping Centre
Jack Martens Drive, Westville
Tel: 031 275 9800
enquiries@thepav.co.za
