3 Inspiring Women to Look Up to This Women’s Month
Women’s Day might be over but we are going to continue celebrating the power of women throughout the month of August. So, to keep you in the celebratory mood we’ve put together a little something on three super inspiring local women that are doing big things in their chosen industries and their communities. Here are three inspiring women to look up to this women’s month.
1. I got it from my mamma!
Our first lady to watch is Rosemary Padi from Yamama Gemmer. The young entrepreneur who has a BSc Hons (Business Information Systems) degree took part in the Awethu Project (an entrepreneurs business incubator) and is one of the project’s major success stories to date. Using the skills she learnt at the Awethu incubation programme over a period of 6 months, Rosemary launched her own micro businesses selling home-made ginger beer.
The unique ginger beer is made according to her mother’s recipe and the idea for the business was born when Rosemary realised that the skill for making this staple for large family functions was slowly dying out with the elderly grandmas and aunties in their communities. Rosemary and her sister saw a gap in the market to supply the product to the young professionals in their community who were looking for convenience with a touch of tradition.
They have been supplying this market for the last 5 five years making it from home and even introduced their own branded fridges into local shops. They support their business with a Facebook page and their distributors include everyone from a large baker in the Randburg area to small shops in the Gauteng townships.
2. Keeping it in the family at Teremok Marine
Ok, so this story isn’t just about one lady taking South Africa by storm – our number two spot is taken up by three lovely ladies who have made a name for themselves in the hospitality industry. This is the story of Teremok Marine boutique lodge and spa in Umhlanga and a mother and her two daughters who run it. Debbie Davidson, Tracy Gielink & Kim Davidson opened Teremok Marine in December 2003 and have continued to upgrade the property and offer guests new developments and upgraded technology at the hideaway ever since.
What makes this story truly unique is the way the terrific trio work together to showcase their individual and varying talents. Debbie brings experience in high profile event management and public relations as well as a flair for decor while Kim, a born leader, takes care of the operational side and communications and marketing of Teremok. Rounding off the team is Tracy, a freelance journalist and serious foodie with an extraordinary appreciation of wine. She heads up the kitchen and the spa and is responsible for the sap becoming one of the most sought after beauty spas in the area.
These three ladies saw huge potential in the Teremok property which was originally developed as a holiday home for Russian businessman Constantine Vladykin in 1968. Vladykin dubbed the spot Teremok, which means ‘little hideaway’ in Russian and today the beautiful property continues to offer a ‘little hideaway’ for business executives and the well-heeled.
3. A one-way ticket to the top!
Rapelang Rabana started her first company as soon as she graduated from university and she’s been riding her one-way ticket to the top every since. Before the age of 30 this super savvy young woman was the founder of a communication company, named one of the 30 under 30 Best Young African Entrepreneurs by Forbes Magazine, and invited to join a panel at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos.
Today Rabana is the founder of Rekindle Learning, a learning and development company that provides mobile and computer learning solutions in corporate and schooling environments, as well as a founding member of Tomplaygo, a mobile and web entertainment platform, combining music, fashion and popular culture.
Rekindle Learning was built on the belief that every person should be able to develop their knowledge and learn. The unique company decided to harness the power of mobile to make this possible. Today the mobile learning app is helping to support corporate training or class sessions at schools, and bringing education to all.