R’fontein businesswoman wins big in Pretoria
She now intends to set up a career guidance centre to assist the youth and equip them with skills and knowledge needed to become the business owners and entrepreneurs of the future.
Leonie Pretorius who recently won the Fabulous Women in Business award at the She is Fabulous Women’s Awards is humbled and wants to do more for the community.
The awards ceremony was held at the Colosseum Reale venue in Pretoria on Saturday, 5 December. The 40-year-old who was crowned Mrs Randfontein 2019 said she is glad that all her efforts were never in vain.
“Hopefully it will empower others,” she said.
Making a difference is my passion and by receiving this accolade I aim to inspire fellow women wanting to become business owners and entrepreneurs,” Leonie said.
Leonie now intends to set up a career guidance centre to assist the youth and equip them with skills and knowledge needed to become the business owners and entrepreneurs of the future. She said this would mean a lot to the community because she believes that this is testament to the fact that even if you are from a small town you can perform on a national level.
“My philanthropic nature and love for skills development will always be my contribution to my community,” Leonie said.
She attributes her success to God.
“I also have an amazing family and support network including exceptional clients. I draw my inspiration from women like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama,” she added. Despite having made a name for herself on the beauty pageant stage and in the business world, Leonie said she was still far from reaching her goals.
I want to assist young females to understand that it is critical to equip themselves with skills and not to be dependent – this in turn will make them far less vulnerable to gender-based violence,” Leonie believes.
In her message to other women, Leonie said, “We can choose to complain about all that is wrong and negative, or we can decide to be part of the solution to create hope and to inspire our future generation.”
She went on to thank all those who supported her to be able to scoop this award.
“I’d like to thank my family, clients, friends and the community. I also make a promise that I will continue to make you proud to the best of my ability as a modern businesswoman, a proud resident of Randfontein, mother, attorney and child of God,” Leonie said.
