From rangers to reaching new heights
Four former Port Shepstone rangers have gone on to do various exciting ventures after they left school. They largely give credit to their Girl Guide leader Panda Jolene Evans for their great achievements in adulthood. Read their success stories.
Kathlene Evans Scheepers
I always dreamed about being a dancing teacher since I was a little girl.
Since grade 1, I danced and have done various styles of dancing, modern, hip hop, ballroom, ballet freestyle to name a few.
After school in 2016, I opened and ran my own dance school. I am very grateful to all the teachers on the South Coast who had the opportunity of teaching me and modelling me into the dancer I am today.
In 2019, I got married and relocated to Pietermaritzburg in 2020, where I ran my own dance school.
Unfortunately due to Covid-19, I was unable to continue.
I do, however, plan to re-open my own studio in the future.
Girl Guides taught me how to be confident in what I want to do in life, it gave me the opportunity to believe in myself and help me with lots of life lesson. It is amazing because the memories you make never leave and the friendships always last.
Simone Moonsamy
As a child my dream was to become a pastry chef or a chef in general just specialising in baking.
But growing up I faced many challenges along the way with my health. I became very down and distant which then led me to joining Girl Guides. I joined at the age of six and I am currently doing my young leader qualification.
I started off as a Brownie where I achieved my highest qualification, then went up to Guides obtaining my Chiefs and then to Rangers. Guiding has given me many opportunities and has encouraged me to be the best that I can be. It taught me that as a woman you can be anything you want to.
I matriculated in 2017. In 2018, I studied and became a qualified pastry chef.
And later on in 2019, I opened my bakery. My passion for the industry is so great and I hope to pursue this career lifelong.
Jasmin Rajaram
In 2018, I matriculated and was unsure about what to study. I took a gap year and in that year travelled to the UK and volunteered at one of the Girl Guide world centres, Pax Lodge. That time away helped me grow more in guiding and opened me up to new experiences and opportunities.
In December 2020, I suffered a massive loss, I lost my mum, and five days later my grandmother. Through this rough period I decided to start a custom creations business and my own business was created.
The skills I learned during my fundraising experience with Girl Guides really helped me a lot when starting the business, as well as making me more confident to freely consult with different clients. Being in Guides has moulded me into the confident and strong businesswoman I am today.
Kirsty Taute-Kotze
Since I finished school I completed a nail course and help run a joint nail salon with my mom.
I also have a creative side which I express through photography. I feel it’s so important to capture moments as one day it will be all we have. I do everything from lifestyle to weddings photos.
My most recent adventure is macrame, which is art through knots. I never did think I’d enjoy knots so much. But, we did do some knotting in Girl Guides, but I didn’t think I’d actually do it as a career.
I also offer macrame classes to teach you grow to make your own items. Each piece takes time but is unique in its own way. Macrame is becoming popular again, even for weddings.
I also make a wide variety of items from plant hangers, hammocks, cushions, bags and wall hangings.
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