The economy is under pressure, but in the Lowveld businesswomen have an exciting year ahead
Top South African Council for Business Women branch is ready to make 2016 its best year yet.
MBOMBELA – The Lowveld branch of the South African Council for Business Women (SACBW) continues to go from strength to strength, but don’t think for a moment that members are resting on their laurels.
Last year the branch was named top in the country for the fifth consecutive year and yet it plans to be bigger and better than ever.
The new committee was recently elected. At the helm stands the old guard with its combined experience, and in supporting structures are “apprentices”, learning the ropes while bringing their unique talents and experiences from their respective industries to the table.
Ms Lasea Swift remains chairman, with Ms Anneke Pienaar her new second in command. Pienaar says she will be very involved in the council’s membership drive this year too: last year it grew by 62 per cent.
“We do a lot of different events throughout the year. While everything doesn’t speak to everyone, some of it caters to everyone’s different tastes so they remain very involved throughout the year.”
This year promises to be no different. The SACBW kicked off its monthly members’ meetings and networking sessions yesterday.
The most popular members’ meeting, PJs and pillow talk, is scheduled for August 4. As usual, this fun networking session promises to help members and visitors mingle with one another and be greatly amused. The council hints that 2016 will be even better than what we’ve experienced before, and they have a few new tricks up their sleeves.
In November the council plans to expand last year’s hugely successful SACBW Corporate Quest to include outside companies and men as participants. The themes are “Respond vs react” and “Adversity breeds opportunity”.
Lowvelder plans to keep members up to date with coming members’ meetings closer to the time, but it may be worthwhile to pencil these dates into your diary in the meantime:
• March 9: Neglect not your family, elevate your lifestyle by Ms Thelma Laubscher
• April 13: Innovation and mastery by Mr André du Preez
• May 11: Authenticity
• June 15: Guts and ethics – Mpumalanga SACBW Congress
• July 13: Helpfulness and understanding
• August 4: Mingle and amuse – SACBW PJ’s and pillow talk
• October 12: Prioritise and speak with candour
• November 11: Respond versus react, Adversity breeds opportunity – Corporate Quest.
