IN 1941, the slogan, ‘Never underestimate the power of a woman’ was created to promote the American magazine ‘Ladies’ Home Journal’.

Eighty-two years later, the periodical is no more, but the intrinsic strength of the feminine 50% of the world’s population remains.

Also read: #WomensMonth: Young women encouraged to take care of their health

A lady is the public face of an organisation that has been impacting marginalised individuals and communities for the past two decades, and her infectious enthusiasm permeates the atmosphere of the offices of The Domino Foundation.

Hers is the welcoming smile greeting everyone coming through the door, and her bubbling enthusiasm is overwhelming. By any standard, Sizamile Mkhwanazi – known as ‘Zam’ by all – is a public relations pro, but there is so much more to the lady than her disarming smile.

The youngest of three siblings raised by a single mum, Durban-born-and-educated Zam, as a little girl, nurtured dreams of travelling the world.

Joining the outreach group at high school changed all that.
“I starting looking at the state the world was in through a different lens and realised how I wanted to be part of an army of agents of change.”

Throughout her schooling, Zam was always assuming an empathetic leadership role.
“So often, I was the shoulder to cry on and the listening ear for people facing challenges.”

While studying for a Bachelor of Social Work degree, Zam was invited to an empowerment initiative, ‘Business in a Box’, run by Domino Business Development. This was her introduction to The Domino Foundation through its relationship with Domino Business.

Zam volunteered to help with the foundation’s Research and Evaluation Team, with its Red Light anti-human-trafficking programme, and came alongside the volunteer co-ordinator facilitating and hosting schools and business groups [that were] giving their time to help with Domino’s seven programmes.

She was so captivated by the foundation’s vision to ‘Change a life, change a community’, that she went onto permanent staff and is the self-confessed ‘staff stewardess of the office’, and, as the lady in charge of the volunteers at Domino, she is the link between them and the programme of their interest. Zam is firmly convinced that her position at Domino is truly God’s plan for her.

“I am humbled and honoured to be part of such a power engine. I feel my contribution is bringing warmth, energy and friendliness to our offices.”

At this year’s aQuellé Tour Durban cycling race, this dynamo mobilised volunteers with the registration of cyclists and with water tables and helped at the finish line.

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