Mpumalanga businesswomen tackle year-end burnout
The SACBW Nelspruit announced the winners of the Local Recognition Awards 2025.
Burnout versus burn bright was the theme of an event hosted by the South African Council for Business Women (SACBW) Nelspruit at The Green Lizard Guesthouse on Thursday, October 9.
With 2025 drawing to a close, the SACBW focused on managing exhaustion and maintaining wellbeing.
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Psychologist Retha van Stelten, who specialises in trauma and violent crimes, was the guest speaker. She shared practical insights on burnout and self-care, emphasising how to spot, stop and soothe it.
“There is a fine line between burning brilliantly and setting yourself on fire,” Van Stelten said.
She explained that burnout goes beyond tiredness: “It is deep emotional, mental and physical exhaustion that does not go away after a good night’s sleep or a weekend away. It is when your battery is depleted to the point that a cup of coffee cannot fix it.”
Burnout, she added, is when you fantasise about giving up and feel there is nothing more to give. “Don’t panic — you are not broken, you are human.”
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Van Stelten shared strategies to manage burnout, including setting boundaries and embracing microjoy. “A boundary is not a barrier; it is a fence to conserve energy. Burnout is not a badge of honour, it is a warning light. We do not have to stop burning; we should just take care not to set ourselves on fire.”
During the event, SACBW Nelspruit also announced the winners of the Local Recognition Awards 2025:
• Rising Star/Entrepreneur of the Year: Celia-May Dekker, C & Co Consulting
• Businesswoman of the Year: Cecilia Kaufman, Pro Plastic Signs
• Runner-up: Monica Buchanan, Monarch Tribe
> Photos: Bridget Mpande
The winners each received marketing packages worth R72 000, sponsored by Tarina Coetzee of #mylowveld. They will now compete nationally for top honours at the National Gala and Recognition Awards on Saturday, October 18 at the Botanical Garden Restaurant, Mbombela.
On Tuesday, October 14, the business council announced that tickets for the event had sold out, with businesswomen from across South Africa expected to attend.
