Rekord celebrates career women
“We have been running the world since the beginning of time, we have just not been wearing capes and power suits. We are queens. We are bosses.”
Being a career woman in modern South Africa can sometimes be tricky – from juggling work, studies to nurturing children and managing a home.
Rekord is zooming in on the lives of two such women, who shared their journey to becoming formidable professionals.
Meet Dikeledi Phiri, a 47-year-old director for corporate communications at Tshwane metro.
Born in Brandfort, Free State, she studied clinical psychology at the Free State University.
“For some reason, I was drawn to communication. I had a knack for the English language and writing,” she said.
“Back then we didn’t know much about these fancy and exciting careers we see today, so I was captivated by the idea of working in radio or for a newspaper or just being a professional communicator.
“I ended up majoring in both psychology and communication science as I could not make up my mind.”
After bagging her degree, Phiri joined the government communication and information system (GCIS) in the province.
“That move jump-started my career,” she said.
“I was accepted as a volunteer with no stipend or anything but that didn’t matter. I was there to learn and I was a communicator in the making: that was the focus.”
Her first permanent job was with the Free State premier’s office as a media relations officer.
A few years later, she moved to the Free State department of education as a junior manager specialising in publications.
She then moved to the Gauteng province to work for the independent police investigative directorate (IPID), then known as independent complaints directorate (ICD) as its communication and marketing manager and national spokesperson.
The mother of four then worked for the public service commission and eventually found a home at the Tshwane metro where she has been for more than 10 years.
“When I look back at all these positions I occupied, I feel very proud because I know I represented women very well in the workplace,” she said.
“I have always given my best because I needed to make myself proud and prove that I am deserving.”
Her current duties at the metro involve overseeing communication with its employees and external stakeholders, managing all its communication platforms as well as developing content for all these platforms.
She said her biggest challenge in the workplace was the size of the organisation.
“You need to be quite resilient to carry on every day, and continue with your tasks diligently,” she said.
“As a communicator, the job is quite strenuous, because things can change suddenly from one minute to the next. It’s difficult to have your pulse on everything because the organisation is so big.
“My team and I have to support more than 15 departments and political offices. We are a very small team and corporate communication is centralised.”
She said the metro has really done much to create a good working environment for women, conducive for their growth and freedom, by putting certain policies that promote the upliftment of women.
However, she said more workplaces needed to improve equality.
“Women still experience inequality, proving that equality in the workplace is something that is just on paper. We even feel the need to work harder to prove ourselves and our worth,” she said.
“People expect submissiveness from you; you are treated like a woman instead of a professional. If you stand your ground, show your resilience and don’t bow to environmental situations and pressure, you are perceived as cold and arrogant, simply because you demand the respect that should be accorded to you and is accorded to your male colleagues.”
She said the more women were less dependent on marriage, the more socially independent they were.
“Many women will find it easy to walk out of abusive relationships or even decide not to get married. As a mother of two young women myself, the level of gender-based violence in our country is so concerning that, if I had a choice, I wouldn’t want my kids to date.
“I fear for myself and for all women and young girls.”
She advised women never to forget the formidable women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956, whose main goal was to change the world and make it a better place for all women, regardless of race.
“We have many women in key leadership positions but the disparity in comparison with men is still glaring.”
Meet our other phenomenal woman:
A private banker analyst by day and a mother of five by night, Reneilwe Jacobs is a force to be reckoned with.
Renhi, as she is affectionately known, works for one of the big banks where she supports bankers and assists clients with their daily transactional banking needs.
“A normal day will include about a million queries. First I will have a look at my emails from both internal and external clients, assist with what I can and refer to management relevant departments,” she said.
Before starting her day at work, her maternal duties need to be sorted.
She prepares her two boys (aged four and seven) for school. This includes bathing, breakfast, clothing them and then her husband drops them off at school.
“By then it already feels like noon but it’s normally around 07:45,” she said jokingly.
Working from her Equestria home, she prepares her work material while tending to her nine-month-old baby.
At around 11:00 she prepares the baby for his first nap, “this includes our beautiful breastfeeding session”.
“The rest of my day goes by between phone calls, emails and meetings.”
With two active teenagers in the house, she doesn’t have to worry about house chores.
She said her favourite part of her job was being able to work in her gown every day, not having the morning rush and traffic to battle with.
“The best part of my two jobs though has to be being around my little baby the whole day, being there for all his milestones and getting to watch him figure himself out as a little person,” she said.
However, juggling between being a full-time mum and a full-time professional worker was a bit of a challenge.
“The two roles are both so demanding and I must say by the end of each day, I am very tired and the next day, it starts all over again.”
Her advice to other women is that they remain true to themselves and stick to their dreams.
She said there was nothing women could not do if they put their minds to it.
“If being a CEO of a company is what your heart wants, do that,” she said.
“If staying at home and raising children is what you want, do that. There is no manual to life, and there’s no manual to being a woman.
“We have been running the world since the beginning of time, we have just not been wearing capes and power suits. We are queens. We are bosses.”
Raising children, especially teenagers was quite challenging but she takes each day as a learning opportunity and a chance to grow.
Sonja Smith
Die dood maak nie ‘n afspraak nie…
Weet jou naasbestaandes waar jy persoonlike dokumente soos jou testament, huweliksertifikaat, huweliksvoorwaardekontrak, titelaktes, polisdokumente, motorregistrasiedokumente en TV-lisensie bêre?
Kry vandag nog jou Lewenslêer Inhoudsopgawe by Sonja Smith Funerals en maak ‘n moeilike taak effens makliker vir jou geliefdes wat agterbly.
Sonja Smith Funeral Group het kantore in Benoni, Centurion, Fourways, Meyerspark, Midstream, Montana, Moot, Moreletapark en Roodepoort. Hierdie span met hul fluweelhandskoene sal met liefde na jou en jou geliefdes omsien wanneer jy hul dienste nodig kry. Daar is ‘n kapel by beide die Centurion- en Montanakantore waar daar tydens die COVID-19 pandemie op ‘n waardige wyse afskeid geneem kan word, terwyl ons die streng Regulasies respekteer wat tans van krag is.
Wil jy deel word van hierdie dinamiese span wat bestaan sedert 2006? Kontak ons by info@ssfg.co.za vir franchise besigheidsgeleenthede. Sonja Smith Funeral Group, Moreletapark is beskikbaar by 012 993 2807 of 079 895 4414.
Marieth Kloppers
She was born and bred in Pretoria and matriculated at Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool. She studied B Com Accounting at UP and worked as an accountant until she started her real estate career in 2003. She’s a proud mommy of two beautiful boys and her passions include real estate, helping people, beauty, health, fitness and animals.
About The Business
In 2009 Marieth bought a RE/MAX Mfranchise and started RE/MAX Infoglobe, currently one of the biggest and most successful Real Estate Agencies in SA. She is also co-owner of MK Salon, which is truly a top beauty parlour, offering the best treatments and only top quality products.
They even have a professional photography studio on-site. Infoglobe Projects is a maintenance company that originated due to our massive rental book at RE/MAX Infoglobe and the constant need for reliable maintenance of properties.
What advice can you offer women in business?
Always stay true to who you are. Do not change for other people.
Which female leaders do you admire and why?
I have great admiration Angela Merkel. The way she leads her country and her well researched, honest yet empathetic approach to the recent COVID crisis truly speaks of an exceptional leader.
Words to live by? Fall seven times get up eight. Failure is part of the road to success as long as you learn from each setback.
What do you want to accomplish in the next year?
On the 1 st of October 2020, I am opening a private, exclusive studio gym, FOTIA FITNESS. FOTIA is the Greek word for Fire. A healthy body hosts a healthy mind – FOTIA Fitness’ goal is to help our clients discover their fire.
Elzette le Roux
“To be able to see properly is every human being’s right,” This is the firm belief of Elzette le Roux, an optometrist from For Your Eyes Only in Equestria.
For Elzette, helping people with eye problems to be able to see is a passion. “It is very satisfying to help people this way. If you cannot see properly, how can you enjoy life at all?” she says.
“Our eyesight is very important. I try to help in any way possible for people to improve their eyesight. We do the best we can to solve their specific problem and thus enhance their quality of life. I wish I could help everybody in this way.”
She stressed that she has compassion for anyone entering her practice and tries and make a difference in their lives. “Every customer is special to me,” says Elzette.
“Building long-time relationships and sharing personal heartache and information is part of our service to the community.”
For this reason, she keeps her prices as low as possible so everyone has the opportunity to afford proper eye care. The experience she gained over many years in the industry has enabled her to provide benefit to all customers as far as possible.
“Walking the extra mile is what I want to be known for as an optometrist.” Her future plans are to involve even more optometrists with the same compassion for people to start a mobile clinic reaching out to people in distress and financial difficulty.
Petro Sciocatti
Petro Sciocatti founding member and CEO of Apple Property Connection needs no introduction as an estate agent and Principal. Petro Sciocatti has been an established agent since 1982. Selling properties when interest rates were at a record high of 24%.
Petro has been involved in all market fragments with extreme success selling from residential properties new developments and even retirement villages. From 1987 to 1991 Petro trained intern agents in all the provinces and metros of SA. Petro has received several awards in her 38-year career of real estate including a Certificate of Recognition for the Professional Principal Award by the Estate Agents Affairs Board in 2010. This very special award was only given to the top principals in South Africa.
Petro also received the IEASA top principal award from 2013 to 2016. She is qualified in the following fields NQF4, PDE 4 NQF5. PDE 5. In 1986 Petro wrote the E. A. B. E (ESTATE AGENTS BOARD EXAM) she is a Member of the Institute of Estate Agents South Africa since 1982 she also qualified for the CRS. (SA.) (Course from United States) and has a BA Ed degree.
At all stages of her career, clients and respect for people has always been her inner satisfaction. Of all the numerous awards she has won in all the years, it was always her love of the game, her faith, her clients and her dear family that kept her humbled and driven. Petro sees Apple Property as her goal post to deliver a holistic service of excellence to clients and her colleagues.
Dr. Ofentse Nkwashu
“When life gets blurry, adjust your focus.” Wise words from Dr. Ofentse Nkwashu, owner of Dr. Ofentse Nkwashu Inc.
Now we also have:
- An Oral Hygienist
- An Orthodontist
- A Periodontist
- A Maxillofacial Surgeon
Truly everything about dentistry under one roof!
Dr. Shivani
When we asked Shivani from Spec-Savers at Mall@55 what words she lives by, she quoted the following from Maya Angelou: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour and some style.”
Ina Wilken
Spesiaal vir vroue!
Moenie dat enigiemand jou sprankel verdof nie. Jy is vrou.
Vier jou vrouwees regdeur die jaar saam met Ambassadors Club 100. Nie net gedurende vroue maand nie, maar regdeur die jaar word vroue die geleentheid gebied om in Pretoria hulself te bederf deur te ontspan, saam te kuier en na motivering-sprekers te luister. Dit sluit n verskeidenheid kunstenaars in wat van gewilde daaglikse musiek tot klassieke musiek sing en speel. Aan die Hoof van die organisasie staan n baie prominente en suksesvolle sakevrou uit die gemeenskap mev Ina Wilken Jonker – President van Ambassadors Club 100.
Mev Ina Wilken is n Nie-Uitvoerende Direkteur van Finbond Groep Beperk, ‘n baie bekende Bankgroep in Suid-Afrika wat ook takke het in Noord-Amerika.
Ina is ook welbekend in die Verbruikerswereld, waar sy in 2003 as die Individuele Verbruikerskampioen van Suid Afrika die toekenning ontvang het van die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid. Sy was ook vir ‘n hele paar jaar die Voorsitter van die Suid Afrikaanse Nasionale Verbruikerunie. ‘n Ware kampvegter vir Jan alleman. Ina is die Beskermvrou van die SA Vroue Landbou Unie. Oorkondes is aan haar toegeken deur die SAVLU asook die Olie en Protiën Sade Trust.
Die maandelikse byeenkomste vind by die Pretoria Country Club in Waterkloof plaas. Die organisasie is in 1980 gestig en vier binnekort hulle 41ste bestaansjaar met n baie spesiale byeenkoms. Ina benadruk dat dames meer as welkom is om by die Klub aan te sluit. Skakel haar direk by 0832689071 vir meer inligting.
Kom sluit by ons aan en geniet vrou wees, mekaar motiveer, ontspan en jou waarde as vrou besef, jouself en ander vroue te koester. Jy is vrou, jy is uniek. Nie net in vroue maand nie, maar elke dag.
Lynette Koen
Wat jy saai sal jy maai… Kyk nou-net vir Lynnette!
Die gesegde van “moenie ‘n besigheid begin om geld te maak nie, begin ‘n besigheid om ‘n verskil te maak” vind direk toepassing wanneer jy iemand soos Lynnette Koen ontmoet. Lynnette is ‘n besigheidsvrou met ’n passie vir haar besighede en vir haar medemens. Lynnette se eerste prioriteit is familie.
Elke een van haar besighede het oorsprong uit haar behoefte om haarself finansieël in staat te stel om haar familie en ander te help op een of ander onbaatsugtige wyse. Lynnette besit drie besighede. Elkeen van hulle het ‘n storie, ‘n rede en ‘n doel. Deur harde werk, direkte betrokkenheid, eerlike dienslewering en passie maak haar besighede ‘n verskil.
Die besigheid behels die bestuur van komplekse en besigheidssentrums se krag deur middel van voorafbetaalde kragmeters, maandelikse rekeninge of “slim” meters. SOS het in 2012 tot stand gekom toe Lynnette besluit het sy sal iets moet doen om haar pa te help nadat hy op 65 sy hele pensioen verloor het weens iemand wat oneerlik besigheid met hom gedoen het. Haar pa, Oom Dries, geniet vandag sy “aftree-status” en is aktief betrokke saam met sy dogter by elke een van haar besighede.
Angel Water verkoop vars water aan kliënte teen ‘n baie bekostigbare prys. Kliënte het die opsie om hul eie “logo” aan te bring op die bottels. Met elke bottel water wat verkoop word, gaan ‘n gedeelte van die opbrengs na die Angelmans Trust, ’n NPO opgerig deur Lynette.
Haar broer se seun, Arno, was vroeg gebore, en as gevolg daarvan later gediagnoseer met Angelmans Sindroom. Angelmans Sindroom is uiters raar en word gekenmerk as ‘n genetiese afwyking. Die Angelmans Trust en NPO help met betaling van mediese rekeninge en terapeute om Arno en ander kindertjies met dieselfde siekte se lewe ‘n bietjie makliker te maak.
The Housewife’s Deli is hoofsaaklik ‘n slaghuis met ‘n heerlike plaas gevoel en spesialiseer in lekkernye van alle aard. Hierdie besigheid is die jongste van Lynnette se besighede en het sy die eerste tak oopgemaak in Maart 2019 met haar skoonsuster as eerste offisiële “Housewife”. Die familie is bykans almal betrokke by die uitdink van lekker nuwe resepte, aflewerings en , produksie.
Twee verdere takke van The Housewife’s Deli het reeds oopgemaak, een in Gezina en ‘n verdere een in Equistria wat einde Augustus sy deure oopmaak. Indien jy as vrou ook sukses wil bereik deur jou eie besigheid te bestuur, kan jy dit gerus oorweeg om ‘n tak van The Housewife’s Deli te bestuur.
Al wat jy moet doen is om vir Lynnette te kontak of te gaan sien by die hooftak waar sy gereeld self agter ‘n til werk of in die produksie area werkskaf. Lynnette het‘n hart van goud. Barmhartigheid, onbaatsugtigheid, eerlikheid en opregtheid is van haar vele mooi eienskappe en dit is die rede vir haar sukses.
Isabel Jacobs
To be respected because you earned it is one of the biggest compliments bestowed on me. Establishing, building and managing Isabel Jacobs Properties (IJP) as a unique Real Estate Company over the past 5 years, was both challenging and exciting and it fills me with a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude.
I always strive to stay true to my ethics, approach each day with a passion and ensure service excellence to all my clients. With the support of my husband Danny and the loyalty of my agents and staff, we are a team to be reckoned with! To all the women out there: Be yourself and draw from your own strength. You can do it!
Isabel Jacobs Owner / Principal Isabel Jacobs Properties
1146 Justice Mahomed Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria. 012 346 0449
isabella@ijprop.co.za
Nellie van Staden
Through the years and devotion to persons over 50 years of age, Nellie van Staden has become a household name in the Retirement Market. Nellie initially started in 1978 as an estate agent selling residential properties.
Since 1979 Nellie van Staden Eiendomme (Pty) Ltd focused on retirement developments by which new trends were set and being extensively involved in the industry she obtained first-hand experience of the needs and shortfalls in the retirement sector.
After more than 40 years Nellie van Staden Eiendomme is expanding its brand nationally not only offering continued advice in the Retirement Sector but expanding their services to the Residential market. Nellie van Staden Properties Centurion recently opened their doors and others are soon to follow.
Every day comes with its own challenges and highlights. Nellie advice women in business to make the best of each day. Focus on the positive, find solutions for the downfalls and live life to the fullest.
Nellie van Staden 082 5522 775
