Zululand businesswomen inspired to believe in their potential

‘ANY limitation you have, is solely in the mind.’

These were the motivational words of former Miss South Africa Kerishnie Naiker, addressing the Business Women’s conference at Umfolozi Hotel Casino and Convention Resort on Thursday evening.

‘Know your values and know your purpose. Know what you stand for and ensure that your thoughts, actions and words are always aligned,’ she said.

Naiker was one of the guest speakers at the conference organised by the Zululand Chamber of Commerce (ZCCI).

The event hosted a number of local business women and entrepreneurs under the theme ‘Scent of Success’.

A philanthropist and businesswomen herself, the former Miss SA shared her incredible journey of living in a garage with her parents, to rubbing shoulders with world leaders after being crowned Miss SA in 1997.

‘For the first eight years of my life, I was raised in a garage. That was all my parents could afford, so they rented a double garage in Durban. The story of my parents is probably one of the main motivational and driving forces of my journey,’ she said.

She said her parents, who were also born into humble beginnings, were set on building an empire. However, their business was liquidated when her father had to put all his focus on her mother who was ill and bed ridden at the age of 32.

‘Things got so bad that my dad couldn’t afford to give me R80 to write a matric exam. And that day served as a turning point for me because I vowed that never again will I be financially dependent on anybody.’

Naiker also shared her most memorable moments with the late former President Nelson Mandela whom she worked with on a number of projects which included building of the Chatsworth Youth Centre, hospitals and Tuberculosis Resource Centres across the country.

‘Blame yourself’

Dr Albertina Luthuli, the daughter of late former ANC President Chief Albert Luthuli, encouraged women to carve their own paths.

‘Never allow anyone to dictate to you, you must know what you want in life and if it doesn’t go well, you have to blame yourself.

Luthuli said her greatest inspiration was her mother, who taught her the value of hard work. She said she grew up in an environment where patriarchy was not allowed to thrive.

‘We need to look at the power that women hold. We are at the heart of shaping the very men who place themselves above women,’ she said.

‘Women in the country are currently embattled. If there is anything we should take upon ourselves, it is to use the power which is God given to us.

‘We should not allow the things that are going on in the country.

‘We must stand together, share ideas, love one another and hold hands. If you are a woman, another woman should not and cannot be your enemy,’ Luthuli said.

She applauded young women who refuse to be ‘fourth or fifth grade citizens’.

ZCCI President Judith Nzimande also encouraged women to believe in themselves.

‘No one else can believe in your success more than you. You need to believe in yourself and know that it is possible.
Nzimande said women need to empower themselves and evolve with the changing world to be ready to compete.

‘Are we prepared for the changes around us, are we ready to compete? For you to be able to change what is happening around you, you have acquire knowledge to empower yourself and be better.

‘Don’t be scared to mentor someone because you think they will take your position. You can’t be in the same position forever. We must empower each other in order to break the glass ceiling,’ she said.

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