Women in the corporate world have challenges

Mother, wife and businesswoman Antoinette Swanepoel won the Business Woman of the Year award, at the East Rand Business Women’s annual gala function.

Westdene resident Antoinette Swanepoel received the Business Woman of the Year award at the East Rand Business Women's annual gala, on November 12.

The event, which was held on November 12, at the Birchwood Hotel and O R Tambo Conference Centre, recognised the Westdene resident as one worthy enough for the award.

“I feel humbled and grateful, because so many people work just as hard as I do and achieve great things,” Swanepoel said.

“To have been awarded this award confirmed that other people appreciate one’s efforts and recognise our attempts to make a difference.”

Swanepoel has been one of three directors at Malherbe, Rigg and Ranwell Inc since 2000, but she started working at the firm in mid-1996, as a candidate attorney.

Swanepoel enrolled at the University of Pretoria in 1991 and graduated with a Baccalaureus Legum Civilium (BLC) degree in 1993, and completed her LLB in 1995.

“During my final year at university, in 1995, I was offered a temporary position at the Road Accident Fund in Pretoria, for a period of three months, but ended up spending a year there until mid-1996,” she said.

Her current job at the firm entails heading up the conveyancing department, which deals with all aspects of immovable property and notarial transactions.

“I also enjoy the day-to-day responsibilities of running the practice,” she said.

Another achievement for her at the firm was her admittance as a Notary Public during August 2004. On April 14, 2008, she was appointed as a Fee Assessor for the Law Society of the Northern Provinces.

However, apart from partly managing a company, she also has to be present in her personal life.

“I married my high school sweetheart, Hermanus, in 1996, and we have two sons, Hendro (16) and Mighael (15) Swanepoel,” she said.

“It is quite easy with a very understanding and supporting family.

“Our motto is that when we work, we work hard and long hours, but, on the other hand, when we play, there is no end to the fun.”

To Swanepoel, the award opens doors for people to become more aware of the existence of Malherbe Rigg and Ranwell Inc.

Although Swanepoel said balancing work and family life is easy, she admitted that being a woman in the corporate world does come with some challenges.

“Very often men don’t take a woman seriously,” she said.

“The only way to overcome this is by being good at what you do.

“Many women also have too much on their plate, trying to be the boss, perfect wife, mom; but we have to prioritise and never sweat the small stuff,” she concluded.