In celebration of Women’s Month, we chatted to successful women on the North Coast about how they inspire others in our community.
Owner of Bike and Bean
VIKI FERREIRA
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Women seem to be able to bring out the best in all of us. They have the strength and tenacity normally attributed to men, combined with the softness and nurturing women are generally recognised for. And then they have a secret ingredient that holds it all together – they can multi-task.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I try to set an example to other women. I work hard, making the most of every day; take any opportunity that comes my way, which also means I make lots of mistakes. I’ve learned to accept that these are all part of the circle of life and that if I can keep my sense of humour, I will be fine. I hope that other women will know they have the ability to overcome the inevitable challenges on the road to becoming their best selves.
Details: www.bikbeandurban.com; IG: @bikeandbean_durban; FB: Bike & Bean Durban
Owner of Lifestyle Health
CAROLINE JELLIMAN
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being a woman means being able to be significant and self-assured, yet kind, elegant and gentle. It means being compassionate, yet not being taken advantage of. As a woman in the health and wellness industry, it is empowering to be able to listen to our customers with genuine care and concern and to be able to offer hopeful solutions to improve their wellness journey.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I hope I’m able to show other woman in my community that I have grasped an opportunity to lead an incredible team of staff and built up a phenomenal brand alongside them. I also value women’s wellness and this is reflected in our product offering.
Details: Lifestyle Health, Lifestyle Centre Ballito, 032 946 0441 & Kensington Square Durban North, 031 811 5998, IG @lifestylehealthsa and FB @Lifestyle Health
Owner of Skinstem Skincare -Intimate Skincare range
SHAISTA SOPHIA
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being a woman means embodying empathy, strength and resilience. As a beauty entrepreneur and pharmacist, it drives my commitment to offer inclusive products, break boundaries and empower others through Skinstem Skincare. I advocate for diversity, innovation and community support, ensuring everyone feels valued and confident in their skin.
Q: How do you empower other women?
Through Skinstem Skincare, we empower woman by promoting confidence and self-care. We offer products that provide solutions to problems that woman feel shy to speak about and promote education on topics that are taboo, such as intimate skincare routines.
Details: www.skinstem.co.za; WhatsApp: 076 873 5920; IG: @skinstemskincare
Campus head at Crawford International North Coast
SAMANTHA SMIT
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
My identity as a woman is integral, not incidental to my role as a leader. It shapes every decision and interaction, enriching my approach to leadership and creating a school culture that values diversity, embraces challenges, and nurtures future leaders. My gender identity does not confine me; rather, it expands the possibilities of how I
lead and connect our entire school community.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I empower women by being a visible role model, mentor and advocate. I amplify women’s voices, ensure equitable opportunities, and cultivate an environment where women feel valued. By sharing my journey, supporting their growth and challenging barriers, I strive to inspire women to lead authentically and unapologetically.
Details: www.crawfordinter-national.co.za; 0329433240; northcoast@crawfordinter-national.co.za; IG: @crawford_northcoast; FB: Crawford International North Coast
Pre-primary principal at Crawford International North Coast
MICHAELA CURTIS
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being a woman means empathy, nurturing, and resilience to me. As the pre-primary principal at Crawford International North Coast, it influences my approach to education by fostering inclusive environments, empowering young minds, and ensuring every child feels valued and supported in their learning journey.
Q: How do you empower other women?
In the workplace I empower other women by mentoring, advocating for professional growth opportunities, and fostering a supportive work culture. I believe in celebrating achievements, promoting leadership skills, and creating pathways for success, ensuring every person in our team feels empowered and valued.
Details: www.crawfordinter-national.co.za; 0329433240;
northcoast@crawfordinter-national.co.za; IG: @crawford_northcoast; FB: Crawford International North Coast
College principal at Crawford International North Coast
ELAINEE KISTAN
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
As Crawford International North Coast college principal, I have been able to develop and hone my leadership style, being an authentic leader who leads with integrity, grit and passion. Being in the profession for 28 years has made it evident that collaboration with emotional intelligence is key, caring for and mentoring those in our academic community.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I promote an inclusive and respectful environment for all. I strive to advocate for policies and practices that promote gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. I endeavour to ensure that my presence in a leadership role inspires and empowers others to pursue their aspirations as well. Details: www.crawfordinter-national.co.za; 0329433240;
northcoast@crawfordinter-national.co.za; IG: @crawford_northcoast; FB: Crawford International North Coast
Head of boarding at Crawford International North Coast
CARLA DE BRITO
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being a woman represents strength, resilience, and grace. It means being a source of love and nurturing care, while also being determined and unapologetically oneself. As head of boarding with over 100 students in my care, my role requires me to lead with empathy, compassion, and strength, creating a nurturing ‘home from home’ environment for all our students, some as young as Grade 5.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I am passionate about empowering women to reach their full potential. I mentor, guide, and encourage our girls to take on new challenges and pursue their dreams. I help our students build confidence, resilience, and strength. Details: www.crawfordinter-national.co.za; 0329433240; northcoast@crawfordinter-national.co.za; IG: @crawford_northcoast; FB: Crawford International North Coast
Pilates instructor and owner of TashB Pilates
TASH BARNARD
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Our value system at TashB Pilates encompasses what I believe it means to be a woman: “We have strong backs; we are uncompromising in our demand for integrity, honesty, and excellence. We are courageous and we believe in speaking our truth.”
Q: How do you empower other women? I feel that if you realise that your life is meant for something greater than yourself, you have a special gift to share. The fact that I get to do this in my Pilates studio, not just with words, but also through movement, is incredible. It’s amazing to see women breakthrough and start trusting their bodies, and feel how wonderful it is to move their bodies again. Details: www.tashbpilates.co.za; tash@tashbpilates.co.za; IG: tashbpilatesstudio, FB: TashB Pilates
Partner at Well I Am, brands offering nutritional support
TANYA DOVETON
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being a woman means embracing both strength and vulnerability. As a former competitive swimmer, I learned resilience, but motherhood deepened my self-awareness. I now prioritise self-love, emotional expression and personal growth. I teach my daughters to value their voices, set boundaries and celebrate their unique selves.
Q: How do you empower other women?
Having struggled with anxiety and body dysmorphia, I understand the challenges of low self-esteem. I’m passionate about helping women recognise their true worth by offering compliments (even to strangers), kind gestures, smiles and reassuring words. The smallest act of kindness can significantly impact someone’s confidence.
Details: www.welliam.co.za; tanya@tululla.com; IG: @tululla_sa and @tanya_doveton
Director at CNG Attorneys
CANDICE MUNIEN-GOVENDER
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Every woman is multifaceted. A woman embodies strength, resilience and love. With our strong emotional intelligence, we can navigate life’s challenges at home and in business with grace. As a woman in the legal profession, I must work through gender bias by leading with fortitude, empathy and collaboration.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I mentor young women to be well rounded individuals, who are authentic and well-balanced. I strive to be a resource that women can rely on for assistance, counsel and a space free from judgment. I hope to contribute to an environment where women feel empowered to achieve their goals. Details: www.cngattorneys.co.za; 031 826 4000;
candice@cngattorneys.co.za
Director Trilogy Luxury Training
LAURA LANDER
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being a woman is all about embracing a mix of strength, empathy, and resilience. It means understanding the world through a lens shaped by unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs. In the male-dominated and fast-paced yachting industry, being a woman makes me more aware of the importance of teamwork and attention to detail. I’ve learned to balance empathy with assertiveness.
Q: How do you empower other women?
At Trilogy Luxury Training, we focus on giving women the skills they need to thrive in the yachting industry. Our senior steward/ess training, for instance, is designed to boost confidence and competence in leadership roles. I love mentoring other women. I share my experiences to help them find their footing and succeed in their yachting careers.
Details: laura@trilogyluxtrainingco.za; IG: @trilogyluxurytraining; FB: @Trilogy Luxury Training
East Coast Radio presenter
Weeknights, 9pm – 12am
TEE XABA
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
To me, being a woman means embracing every facet of femininity and empowering others to do the same. My journey, including a transformative breast reduction surgery in 2022, reflects my belief in personal empowerment despite societal pressures. As a broadcaster in the entertainment industry, I advocate for self-confidence and self-expression, encouraging women to define beauty on their terms.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I am passionate about advocating for embracing femininity and challenging societal norms. I believe in empowering women to create their own narratives and find strength in their uniqueness. Details: IG: @therealteexaba
Catch Tee Xaba on East Coast Radio every weeknight from 9pm to 12am.
East Coast Radio presenter
Weekdays, daytime 9am -12pm
CAROL OFORI
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
It means being nurturing, kind and loving. It means leaning into my feminine side with grace and poise, and being audacious and sassy. We have so much life within us and can create life, not only by birthing life – but women just know how to feed dreams, plant seeds in others and help those seeds grow into opportunities and ideas.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I use my platforms every day to empower women. I have a feature called Women Crush Wednesday on East Coast Radio, where I sit with different female trail blazers in different industries, and invite them to share their victories, challenges and lessons. It also doesn’t hurt to compliment a woman if you see her doing something admirable or just being cute.
Details: IG: @carolofori Weekdays, 9am to 12pm.
East Coast Radio presenter
Weekend afternoons, 2pm – 5pm
SHAINA-RAE
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being a woman is the most miraculous thing and it’s hard to sum it up in a few words. It means embracing a diverse identity shaped by strength, resilience, empathy, and the ability to nurture. I am not a woman trying to impress, I am a woman trying to progress. The focus is different, and it’s a beautiful mindset
to have!
Q: How do you empower other women?
I aim to empower other woman by showing them their value, uplifting and encouraging them in everything they do. I see the incredible value in motivating other women to be confident and to be secure in who they are. I strive to listen, appreciate, value and love in every aspect of life. And of course, the most important aspect, always be unapologetically YOU. Details: IG: @hey_shainarae; Weekends, 2pm to 5pm.
East Coast Radio presenter
Weekday drive, 3pm – 6pm
STACEY NORMAN
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being raised by an incredible mother, my girl power was instilled from birth. The ability to adapt and shape myself with both softness and strength is my gift, and it’s a gift that every woman has. That very magical filter is applied to every relationship I form, every job I take, every decision I make. Has it affected how other people see me simply because I am a woman? Sure. But it’s never held me back. If anything, it’s propelled me forward.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I’m a girl’s girl. I show up for the women in my life by being self-aware enough to not project my insecurities onto them. There’s enough room for all of us. And we must take up space. It’s our duty to build each other up.
Details: IG: @staceynormanlive
Listen to Stacey Norman, alongside J Sbu, on your drive home every weekday from 3pm to 6pm.
East Coast Radio presenter
Weekday breakfast 6am – 9am
CARMEN REDDY
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being a woman in South Africa’s media means amplifying voices and shaping narratives that reflect our diverse experiences. It’s about breaking barriers and offering perspectives that resonate with women’s realities, ensuring our stories and truths are heard and valued in the public discourse.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I empower other women by amplifying their voices and sharing their stories. I would like to think I advocate for equal representation and mentorship, creating spaces where women’s perspectives and talents are celebrated.
Details: IG: @carmenreddy
Catch Carmen Reddy on East Coast Breakfast, alongside Darren Maule and
Sky Tshabalala every weekday from 6am to 9am.
Owner at Perfect Ledger Strategic Finance and Mrs SA finalist 2024
CANDICE DAVIS
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
Being a woman to me means embodying strength, resilience, and compassion. It means being adaptable and nurturing while also being fiercely driven and ambitious. As a woman, I have the unique ability to balance multiple roles – from being a mother and wife to a business owner and community leader.
Q: How do you empower other women?
Empowering other women is a core part of my mission and daily life. I actively work to uplift and inspire women in various aspects by leading by example, providing educational opportunities through my foundation, mentoring and supporting other women, building community and networks, engaging in public speaking events and promoting self-care and wellbeing. Details: www.empowermentvogue.com; IG: @candice_davisdbn;
FB: @Candice Davis Mrs SA Semi Finalist 2024; Linktree: @candice_davisdbn
CEO of Kimaya Nankan Kosmetics and law student
KIMAYA NANKAN
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
‘Leadership’, ‘compassion’, ‘courage’ and ‘nurturing’ are just a few words that come to mind when I think about what it means to be a woman. I believe that inculcated into the concept of being a woman is the upliftment of all people. Both myself and my company have been involved in fundraising efforts with the Gift of the Givers Foundation, as well as for local orphanages and old-age homes in my hometown.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I believe in empowerment through the provision of physical, emotional and monetary support. Whether it be providing a meal, clothing, knowledge or giving of time, love and a willingness to listen and encourage, it all makes a difference, no matter the magnitude.
Details: IG: @kimayabeautybyknkosmetics
Owner and founder of Thandana Bags
CARLA ASHTON
Q: What does being a woman mean to you and how does this impact what you do?
To me a woman is love, strength, beauty, compassion and grace. A woman brings possibilities to life; she is a creator and a transformer. A woman is expressive and passionate yet tender and nurturing. A woman is a person you always want by your side.
Q: How do you empower other women?
I empower the beautiful women I work with inside my factory. I guide and support my fellow creatives in a space that means so much to my factory women; and give back to the community by employing and upskilling our local women. By using these skills, the women are able to feed and support their families. This will forever be our number one value at Thandana Bags. We started our business back in 2010 with only four ladies and today we celebrate more than 50 beautiful faces. Details: www.thandana.co.za; info@thandana.co.za; IG @thandana_bags; FB @Thandana Bag Co.
