Saint Giles celebrates women

SAINT Giles hosted the Pretty in Pearls women’s day breakfast to celebrate its women staff, at La Bella in Stephen Dlamini Road.

Guest speaker was Nazareen Bhana who shared how she overcame the challenges of being in a ‘hearing’ society where people kept on putting her down and expecting very little from her. Today she is a successful business owner.

Nazereen, who was born deaf, is the executive member of Employ and Empower Deaf (commonly known as eDeaf). She has been married to her husband Rajesh, who is also deaf, for the past 19 years. The couple live in Midrand.

Nazereen is a well-regarded and highly respected role model within the deaf community of South Africa. She was also chairperson of the largest deaf organisation of South Africa (DeafSA) for 15 years, so she has a deep insight into the needs of this community.

She is passionate about seeing deaf people reach their true potential and empowering them to succeed through education and personal self-development.

In the past, Nazereen has worked as a field presenter, editor, director, and as an anchor on National TV for a Deaf TV programme called Signature. She recently featured in the February edition of Leadership Magazine.

Nazereen’s company eDeaf will soon celebrate 10 years growth, but in many ways, she feels that this is just the beginning for them. Their national footprint is extending and they continue to find fulfilment in seeing deaf people realise their dreams.

Saint Giles thanked La Bella owner, Bob Humphreys, who allowed the organisation to use the venue free of charge for the event, and Gift of the Givers who provided goodies for gift bags.