Saturday, 9 November, 2024

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The Nelspruit branch of the South African Council for Business Women (SACBW) walked away with the top honours at the recent SACBW annual gala event in Paarl in the Western Cape.

SACBW Nelspruit receives national award as branch of the year

The Nelspruit branch of the South African Council for Business Women (SACBW) walked away with the top honours at the recent SACBW annual gala event in Paarl in the Western Cape.

The Business Woman of the Year as well as the Rising Star of the Year awards also went to the Nelspruit branch, with Lonice Wessels and Ashley Pauls receiving the two awards.

Tracy-Erin Duggan, local business leader of the Nelspruit branch, says the award is a huge opportunity for the branch.

Tracy-Erin Duggan, local business leader of the Nelspruit branch.

“It means that we will be the hosts of the awards event next year, which will bring business women from all over the country to the Lowveld. It will also be an opportunity to showcase the work that the SACBW is doing to the people of the Lowveld.

“To bring three national trophies home is definitely something that we are very proud of. A total of 51 entries were received from astute business women from all over the country and it shows that our business women can compete on a national stage and win. It gives credibility to our branch and the work that we do,” she says.

Estelle Roe, Lonice Wessels, Sylvia Maseko, Tracy-Erin Duggan and Marianne Kock.

She says the SACBW gives women the opportunity to network, share contacts, and take their businesses to the next level.

“It is our aim to create full-rounded business women who support one another. Our members have formed a true sisterhood where there is always a wingwoman to rely on. We motivate one another to move outside the comfort zone where we feel safe and to grow our businesses.” 

Being an active member of the SACBW gives women the opportunity to analyse their own businesses. They learn to evaluate their business offerings and develop the confidence to push their boundaries.

Estelle Roe, provincial business leader for Mpumalanga, says women often struggle to recognise what they have achieved and what they can still achieve. That is why opportunities such as these are so important.

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“It gives women a platform to be recognised by their peers and to measure their progress. This in itself builds confidence,” she says.

The monthly networking events also give women an opportunity to socialise with and learn from like-minded people.

She says the judges of the national awards made special mention of the community work that the. Ranch does.

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“Women are given the opportunity to donate their time and help those in need. As mentors we also get the chance to help young people navigate the intricate world of business.”

A wide range of businesses form part of the SACBW Nelspruit branch.

“Our next step is to increase diversity in our group and to attract more corporate businesses to join. But for now, we are so proud of what we have achieved and are looking forward to the next awards event,” Tracy says.

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