This Women’s Month, we’re shining a light on the women who bring heart, creativity and strength to everything they do. From running businesses to making art, building community and chasing dreams, these North Coast women are inspiring in all the ways that matter.
MINENHLE DLAMINI – GAGASI FM
Minenhle Dlamini is a dynamic and accomplished media professional, currently serving as the Managing Director of Gagasi FM, South Africa’s leading regional commercial radio station. With its vibrant presence across KZN, Gagasi FM has flourished under her visionary leadership, delivering compelling content while uplifting the province’s talent and businesses.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Graduating with my Post Grad Diploma in Business Administration, from DUT in May this year.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Rockets Umhlanga. I love their sushi!
Details: www.gagasiworld.co.za; FB: Minenhle Nxumalo & Gagasi FM;
IG: @uminenhle_ka_jabu & @gagasifm
PINKY MYENI – GAGASI FM
Pinky Myeni is a vibrant force in the world of marketing and media. In her role as Head of Commercial Hub, she oversees marketing, sales, events and digital strategy, ensuring that Gagasi FM continues to set the standard as KZN’s leading commercial radio station.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Being recognised for my hard work by being appointed the Head of Commercial Hub at Gagasi FM in 2023.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Signature restaurant. I love how cosy it is and the classy element of the live violinist
who plays at the restaurant.
Details: www.gagasiworld.co.za; FB: Pinky G Myeni & Gagasi FM; IG: @pinkx_g & @gagasifm
CANDICE DAVIS – TALA AI TECHNOLOGIES
Candice Davis is the founder of TALA AI Technologies, a trailblazing South African company revolutionising access to business funding and compliance through AI. With a deep passion for empowering women and entrepreneurs, Candice is driving digital transformation in underserved communities through intelligent, multilingual and legally grounded support systems.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Securing national partnerships for TALA AI, proving that African-born innovation can lead global change in compliance and funding accessibility.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Umhlanga beachfront at sunrise – my space to reset and dream.
Details: IG: @candice_davisdbn; FB: Candice Davis
VIKI FERREIRA – BIKE & BEAN
Viki Ferreira is the founder of Bike & Bean. Passionate about community, sustainability and good coffee, Viki has transformed forgotten spaces into vibrant local hubs that celebrate connection, creativity and coastal living.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Each day I have privilege to wake up and have the most amazing day with my family and friends. Everyday provides different challenges so that I can learn from them and grow.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Club Duvet
Details: www.bikeandurban.com; 082 065 7096; IG: @bikeandbean_durban;
FB: Bike & Bean Durban
JANET SIMPKINS – ADOPT A RIVER
Janet is the director of Adopt a River, an NPO that began as a passionate pilot project at the mouth of the uMngeni to raise awareness about the poor state of our rivers. The NPO quickly become a rapid rise in action across KZN.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Having survived this long! There are many days I have thought, ‘I just don’t know if I can do this anymore’ – but remembering the ‘why’, helps me fight another day.
What’s your favourite local spot?
I love peaceful forested walks along the Umhlanga boardwalk, followed by a quiet coffee at
Forest Café.
Details: janet@adoptariversa.org; 083 288 0091; FB & IG: @adoptariversa
SHELLEY NAYLOR – CRAWFORD INTERNATIONAL NORTH COAST PREPARATORY
Shelley Naylor is a SUP (Stand-up Paddling) enthusiast, avid reader, and a curious and dedicated teacher in her role as a Primary Years Programme Coordinator. She’s in her 26th year of teaching and her eighth year at Crawford International.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Completing King of the Bay, a 10 km paddling race through the Durban harbour, in windy conditions as a novice paddler in 2019.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Salt Rock Hotel.
Details: www.crawfordinternational.co.za/north-coast; IG: @crawford_northcoast;
FB: Crawford International North Coast
KITA VEALE – HOMESTEAD DÉCOR
Kita is a mom to two energetic boys and wife to Brett – her steady support through it all. Running Homestead Decor fuels her passion to keep growing and improving. She loves timeless, classic, natural design elements that never date.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Doing this by myself. It’s always easier to have a business partner to bounce ideas off, but I have trusted my gut and backed myself. I’ve had a clear vision since I was a little girl, and I’m happy that I never let go of it.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Home, in Fairview Estate. But when I’m not there, you’ll find me at Karibu Padel.
Details: www.homestead-decor.co.za; kita@homestead-decor.co.za
NIKITA SCHMELTZER –THE ARTISAN HAIR STUDIO & LADY MARMALADE COLLECTIVE
Nikita is a passionate young entrepreneur in the hair industry, dedicated to empowering women through connection beauty and confidence. She focusses on innovation, customer satisfaction, and building the community though creativity and serving.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Opening The Artisan hair Studio, but the biggest reward in that is the culture of the studio.
What’s your favourite local spot?
The beautiful Christmas Bay beach.
Details: The Artisan Hair Studio: Salt Rock Centre, Basil Hullet Drive; 069 326 6233;
IG: @the_artisan_hairstudio; Lady Marmalade Collective:
www.ladymarmaladecollective.co.za; IG: @lady_marmalade_by_nikita
LEA WIMBLE – WIMBLE ATTORNEYS
As a leading lady, Lea is the founder of Wimble Attorneys, a specialist conveyancing firm and also a full-time ringmaster of a beautiful, chaotic circus (aka life with three kids). She’s a wife, mom, business owner, runner, reader, sister and friend – juggling contracts by day and bedtime stories by night. It’s wild, it’s wonderful and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Having reached our goal in donating a new home with a title deed to a single mom – twice!
What’s your favourite local spot?
Daily Dose for good vibes and great coffee.
Details: Office 53, The Workstation, 1 Old Main Road, Umhlali; Office 8, NexDesk, 6 Nokwe Avenue, Umhlanga Ridge; 061 568 3541; www.wimble-attorneys.co.za; lea@wimble-attorneys.co.za; IG: @wimble_attorneys.
PRINCESS GUGULETHU ZULU-HATSHWAYO – PRINCE DABULAMANZI FOUNDATION
The daughter of Prince Layton Zulu KaBabane KaMzingeli Dabulamanzi-KaMpande, Gugulethu leads ventures in construction, civils and property. After discovering coal, gas and oil on her family farm, she is repositioning her businesses for growth. She champions women-led enterprises and founded the Prince Dabulamanzi Foundation.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
My proudest moment is witnessing the foundation truly serve the impoverished and disadvantaged, bringing hope, dignity and meaningful change.
What’s your favourite local spot?
The Oysterbox Hotel for their cocktails and lovely buffet.
Details: www.princedabulamanzi.africa; IG: @Prince_Dabulamanzi_Foundation
YOLANDA COMBRINCK – TRANSFORMATIONAL LIFE COACH
Yolanda Combrinck is a transformational life coach and speaker who helps individuals reclaim clarity, confidence and self-leadership. Through deep, intuitive coaching, she guides clients to break free from old narratives, awaken purpose and elevate their lives personally and professionally. Her work is where truth meets transformation, and healing meets higher calling.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
The moment I stood before women at my first Sisterhood event, fully aligned, called, and ready to lead with purpose.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Tigers Milk Ballito – where dance grounds me and joy returns.
Details: www.yolandacombrinckcoaching.co.za; 060 870 8893;
info@yolandacombrinckcoaching.co.za; FB: Yolanda Combrinck
TASH BARNARD – TASHB PILATES
TashB Pilates has proudly served the Ballito community for 18 years, keeping clients accountable to good posture and mindful movement. Rooted in consistency, care, and core strength, Tash and her team empower individuals to live aligned and strong – body, mind and spine. TashB Pilates is a trusted name in wellness, dedicated to your lasting progress.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Representing BASI Pilates globally in educating future Pilates teachers.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Mimosa with my husband.
Details: Linc campus, Foxhill, Ezulwini Drive, Ballito; www.tashbpilates.co.za;
tash@tashbpilates.co.za; IG: tashbpilatesstudio, FB: TashB Pilates
CARYN OVERTON – DANDELION DESIGN
Caryn is a proud wife, mom of two, and owner of a boutique interior architecture and design studio. Dandelion Designs has been operating since 2013. She lives in the beautiful village of Salt Rock; where work, school, and play are all right on the doorstep! She absolutely loves being part of an incredible community.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Winning Best of Ballito 2023 on our 10-year anniversary was an unforgettable honour and recognition of a decade’s worth of passion and dedication.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Salt Rock Hotel! For childhood holidays and my wedding memories – it will forever be my favourite!
Details: www.dandelionsa.co.za; 072 707 7016; caryn@dandelionsa.co.za;
IG: @dandeliondesignssa
NATASHA MODI – MODISM
Natasha is the founder of Modism, the agency behind strategic marketing at Oceans Mall. With nearly 20 years of experience across global brands, she blends commercial insight with creative excellence. Outside of work, Natasha invests deeply in causes close to her heart – addiction recovery, anti-human trafficking and women empowerment.
What’s the proudest career or personal moment so far?
Every day, we empower people and businesses, helping them break through barriers that once held them back—this shift never gets old.
What’s your favourite local spot?
Humble for its rich coffee, warm people and conversations that linger.
Details: www.modismholdings.com; connect@modismholdings.com;
IG: @modismholdings, @tashmodi
