Ambitious young women rewarded for hard work
The local branch of the SACBW launched the competition to celebrate entrepreneurial minds and females committed to a specific occupation.
MBOMBELA – A well-known African proverb holds that, “Where there are experts, there will be no lack to learners”. In step with this, business leaders in the city are targeting young women to celebrate their achievements and ambitions. Young career-orientated females recently had the opportunity to impress already successful adults who want to help them unlock their potential.
The local branch of the South African Council for Business Women (SACBW) launched the competition to celebrate entrepreneurial minds and females committed to a specific occupation in June, which was Youth Month. The entrants had to be aged 16 to 23.
In short essays they had to explain what they wanted to become, what occupation inspired them or what their existing small businesses did.
Ms Marlee Steyn (22) won for her passion for capturing beauty and memories through photography.
Aside from other jobs, she also runs a photography business and does photo shoots for occasions. Steyn also does charity work in her spare time. She walked away with a bursary for a course at Unigrad.
Mondy Ndlovo (18) came second. The Lowveld High School matric learner wants to become a doctor. She told Lowvelder that she wanted to help people.
“There are not a lot of specialists who come from here,” she said. “I want to give back to the community. If everything goes well I want to specialise. I just don’t know in which field.”
In her essay she wrote about her mother inspiring her. “My mom taught me to always give, and one way of me living up to her teaching is through my gain in medical knowledge.” Ndlovo has also been doing community service in local hospitals and clinics. Her prize was a course with Performance Booster.
In third place was Ms Fatima Adriana da Silva Faria (19). She has a small business called Cake Creations and as part of her prize, she won some airtime on Radio Laeveld.
All of these young women, who are working hard to find a path to their dreams, also had the opportunity to attend the SACBW’s recent PJs event thanks to sponsorship from members Ms Annemarie Swanepoel and Ms Dolly Mbuyane.
