Michelle Bradfield is a seasoned entrepreneur with two thriving businesses under her belt. “I started Design Origin, a computer graphic design business, back in 1999,” she explains. “I’ve been on my own from the beginning, and it’s been quite a journey.” Her other business, Eventtiming, began in 2009, where she serves as a director. “We handle online entries, registration, and race timing. It’s a busy, hands- on venture that keeps me occupied seven days a week.” Growing up on the Bluff in Durban, Michelle attended Grosvenor Girls’ High School, completing her matriculation in 1982. “I like to say I’m QBE — Qualified by Experience,” she shares. “I don’t have a formal education, but I don’t believe you need one if you’re determined and willing to persevere. A degree isn’t the be-all and end-all.” Her entry into graphic design came by chance, as she recalls: “I was working in the office of a company called Proforms, handling business forms and stationery. When I first started, it was all darkrooms and typesetting, but then I saw someone using a computer to do graphic design. I thought, ‘I could do this’.”

Ana Roberts owns and manages two real estate companies under the Just Property brand in Upper Highway and Umhlanga, specializing in property rentals and sales. She distinguishes her business with innovative marketing strategies, offering unique show houses and exceptional property marketing. Ana’s company provides two rental services: tenant procurement and full property management. Ana’s inspiring journey from Mozambique to becoming a real estate owner is driven by her ambition for success. Initially aiming to become an accountant, she shifted her focus to industrial psychology and marketing, which led to a 27-year career in corporate HR. At 54, Ana sought greater balance in her life and entered the real estate industry in January 2020. She quickly qualified as a principal by 2022, demonstrating her fast-paced approach. Her leadership has transformed her team, enabling employees to achieve remarkable success despite having no prior experience in real estate. Ana’s business is built on three core values: integrity, innovation, and excellence. She emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing, continuous improvement, and striving for brilliance. Despite her achievements, Ana's greatest challenge is her own ambition. She dreams of self-sufficiency and being a role model for her children. She advises young women to focus on their goals, invest time and effort, uphold a strong work ethic, and never compromise their values. While she finds fulfilment in her business success, Ana is also looking to spend more personal time with her family, intending to establish a more robust management structure within her businesses.

Beverley Murray has spent 44 years in beauty therapy, running Bev’s Beauty and Wellness in Hirsch’s Umhlanga. Her passion for beauty began in her mother’s salon, where she learned the trade and later opened her own successful business. After relocating to Durban, Beverley faced the challenge of starting anew, overcoming personal loss, and building a client base through determination and networking. Her resilience shone during Covid-19, when she adapted her business to meet client needs. Beverley’s commitment to making clients feel at home underscores her belief that beauty therapy is a calling. She also engages in charitable work, supporting local causes through Umhlanga Women Achievers. Looking ahead, she hopes to balance business growth with personal time, supported by her team. Beverley finds peace in her community and the ocean, drawing strength from her faith and the relationships she’s built.

Nadeera Ramharakh, founder and director of Pinetown Diff and Gearbox, has turned her early passion for cars into a thriving business. Growing up in Phoenix, she was inspired by her father's tinkering with cars, which ignited her love for mechanics. Despite initially studying law, Nadeera's true calling emerged during her corporate stint at Mercedes-Benz, leading her to establish her own workshop. Pinetown Diff and Gearbox, now a five-star graded and RMI approved workshop, embodies Nadeera’s dedication and vision. Her leadership focuses on empowerment and creating a positive work environment. The journey has been challenging, with financial hurdles and competition, but Nadeera’s integrity and resilience have been key. Her aspirations include expanding the business into a franchise and opening a multi-brand dealership. Balancing work and family, Nadeera draws motivation from her children, overcoming personal losses with determination. Her story is one of resilience and empowerment, especially for women in male-dominated fields. Nadeera’s passion extends beyond work, as she enjoys car shows and modifications, while also finding balance through family activities like selling vegetables at the flea market. She remains driven by the potential for future growth and opportunities.

Karen Howard founded ASI KZN in December 2023, focusing on healthcare consulting within the financial services sector. As a mother of three, she balances her professional life with family, having grown up in East London on the Wild Coast. Her career journey led her from teaching at a Montessori school to the corporate world, where she identified gaps in service for everyday workers, prompting her to start her own company. Despite facing challenges and making costly mistakes, Karen's partnership with ASI Financial Services marked a significant turning point, making her the first female partner. ASI KZN assists clients in navigating complex medical aid options, shaped by Karen's personal experiences, including her daughter's battle with a congenital defect. Inspired by Dawn Ireland, who supports parents of children with similar conditions, Karen emphasizes resilience and compassion in her work. She admits to previous business missteps but credits support from colleagues for her success. ASI KZN offers diverse services beyond medical aid, focusing on client care and diversity. Karen is committed to mentoring young people and empowering women, drawing from her experience as a single mother. Her future goals include expanding ASI KZN and fostering financial independence for women. Balancing work with personal interests like painting and horseback riding, Karen advocates for self-care and maintaining financial independence, especially for women in business.

Thirusha Govender, CEO and founder of ControlPro (Pty) Ltd, is renowned as a “business doctor” for her expertise in business advisory, internal audit, compliance, risk management, and taxation. Her method involves conducting gap analyses to optimize business operations, aiming to maximize profits and minimize losses. With qualifications in accounting and auditing, Thirusha’s career in internal audit was driven by a desire to add intrinsic value to businesses, leading to the creation of ControlPro. She emphasizes the importance of financial expertise and partners with businesses to mitigate risks, offering practical training to empower people. Thirusha’s journey was influenced by her upbringing, where love and quality time were prioritized despite financial constraints. This background instilled a strong work ethic and adaptability. As a trauma survivor, Thirusha overcame personal challenges with the support of her family, building her brand and business. She advocates for passion, excellence, and learning from failures, encouraging young women to pursue their dreams and leave a legacy of courage and compassion. Her commitment to excellence and collaboration is evident in her long-term client relationships, professional memberships, and directorships in non-profit organizations. Thirusha’s future aspirations include supporting entrepreneurs to create jobs and empower families, contributing to societal well-being. She seeks personal balance, finding joy in nature’s beauty and the interconnectedness of all things.

Thirusha Govender, founder and CEO of ControlPro (Pty) Ltd, is a "business doctor" specializing in advisory services, internal audit, compliance, risk management, and taxation. With a focus on optimizing business operations to maximize profits, she conducts gap analyses and provides cost-effective solutions for inefficiencies in both private and public sectors. Her academic background in accounting and auditing, coupled with her desire to add value, led to the creation of ControlPro, where she partners with businesses to mitigate financial risks. Thirusha believes in empowering businesses and individuals through practical training, emphasizing the importance of knowledge. Her early career experiences honed her skills in client interaction and fostered a lifelong curiosity. She advocates for well-supported CEOs, stressing the need for trained staff and standard operating procedures to ensure growth and sustainability. Her personal philosophy includes having fun in business by managing details effectively. Inspired by a loving upbringing, Thirusha dreams of building a family and traveling the world. Her business philosophy centres on excellence, collaboration, and practical solutions, evident in her long-term client relationships and roles in non-profit organizations. Overcoming personal challenges, she built her brand with support from family and faith, encouraging young women to pursue passions and learn from failures. Looking ahead, Thirusha aims to leave a legacy of courage and compassion, supporting entrepreneurs to create jobs and empower families. She finds balance in nature, appreciating its beauty and interconnectedness.

Carol McDonald, a partner at Cox Yeats Attorneys in Durban, has built a career in commercial and property law, contributing significantly to the firm's property and conveyancing team. Her journey began at Westville Girls High, followed by travel, then law studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she excelled, later obtaining notary and conveyancer qualifications. Awarded the Clarendon Scholarship, she completed a master’s degree at Oxford University. Carol's career has spanned litigation, academia, conveyancing, and now property and commercial law, where she brings balance as a woman and mother in a top-tier team. Beyond her firm, Carol supports the legal community, addressing challenges like Deeds Office issues and municipal rates. Leading Cox Yeats’ corporate social responsibility, she engages with Amaoti High School, aiding their matric camp and funding educational initiatives. She dreams of a united South Africa, advocating for comprehensive education reform. As a woman in a male-dominated field, Carol has faced challenges but remains determined, advising young women to know their goals and sacrifices. Balancing work and family, Carol emphasizes the importance of time with loved ones and stress management through exercise. Her future goal is to remain adaptable and seize opportunities, maintaining her proactive approach to life and career.

Inanda Bezuidenhout is the franchise principal at Consult by Momentum Peak Sure, specialising in asset protection and risk management within the short-term insurance sector. They create tailored solutions that help both individuals and businesses to safeguard their assets.   Additionally, the company offers referral models for third- party professionals in the insurance industry, making it easier for them to support their clients’ insurance needs. She explains, “Our model allows them to ring-fence their clients and offer short-term insurance solutions without the hassle of administrative tasks or complex products.”   Reflecting on her achievements, Inanda shared, “Our partnership with Consult is only two years old in October, however, we launched our business as a Momentum agency on 27 March 2020 — the day lockdown was announced. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we managed to grow and assist clients restructure their short- term policies enabling them to maintain crucial life and investment opportunities.” In just two years, their business achieved third place nationally in Momentum’s short-term division, and Inanda was honoured with second place in the Top Female Advisory category.

Brenda Ndlovu, the founder and CEO of Imbokodo Electrical Construction, shares her story with a blend of pride and humility. “I was always curious about business,” she says, tracing her entrepreneurial roots back to her childhood in Hammarsdale, west of KwaZulu-Natal. “My mother was a street vendor, and I was exposed to the world of sales at the tender age of six. From then on, the idea of being employed by someone else never really appealed to me.” Her company’s work involves electrifying rural areas that previously lacked power, and recently, has moved into transmission, building substations and pylons. “We’re involved in vegetation management, including clearing alien trees along power lines. Our clients include municipalities, Eskom, and private entities,” she explains. The company, which began as a small endeavour in 2002, has grown into a key player in the industry, electrifying over 100,000 homes and constructing thousands of kilometres of power lines throughout KwaZulu-Natal. Brenda’s introduction to the electrical sector came by chance. While still in school, she was offered a job by an electrical contractor who used to give her lifts. “I was curious and eager to learn, and within a year, I’d taught myself everything in the office,” she recalls. It was during this time that she realised her potential in the field. With the encouragement of her foster father, Rob Hill, Brenda registered her own business at just 22 years old.

Hantie Plomp founded Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions in 2011 to tackle environmental challenges and promote sustainability for businesses and communities. Triplo4 focuses on balanced solutions in social, economic, and environmental areas, offering services in water, waste, air quality, biodiversity management, and compliance. Hantie's journey began in a mining community, inspiring her to pursue advanced studies and a career in environmental work. Her childhood dreams of entrepreneurship and environmental care led to the creation of Triplo4, reflecting her love for KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast and dedication to sustainability. Hantie credits her entrepreneurial spirit to her parents and early business exposure, viewing environmental challenges as innovation opportunities. She prioritizes strategy, team competence, and a culture of quality and respect at Triplo4, a 100% women-owned and B-BBEE Level 1 certified company. Triplo4 supports NGOs and community initiatives, showcasing a commitment to empowerment and sustainability. Despite challenges like Covid-19, Triplo4 has thrived, expanding its reach and maintaining ISO certifications. Hantie encourages young women to pursue their goals with diligence and resilience, envisioning Triplo4's national and international expansion and potential JSE listing. Her journey highlights the importance of continuous learning, strong relationships, and a positive mindset in achieving success and making a meaningful impact. She values her time with her husband of 37 years, enjoys building puzzles, reading on natural healing and leadership, and growing her relationship with the Lord.

Gateway Theatre of Shopping, KwaZulu-Natal’s premiere shopping and entertainment destination, is gearing up for a spectacular festive season, offering visitors an experience filled with joy, creativity, and fun experiences. Throughout December, shoppers can enjoy an enthralling LEGO® activation, magical festive décor photo opportunities, interactive family fun activities, extended trading hours, live musical performances, photographs with Santa and exciting new stores, all designed to make this holiday season a truly memorable one for everyone. LEGO® Gift the superpower of play activation   A key highlight this festive season will be the mall’s  LEGO® Gift the superpower of play  holiday activation in the mall, running from 6 December 2024 to 6 January 2025, with a break on 25 December and 1 January. This enthralling experience will offer   LEGO®   fans of all ages a thrilling journey through no less than thirteen interactive zones.   After checking in and receiving an event activity booklet, visitors will get to explore Santa’s LEGO®     workshop, which includes a simulated winter scene and an introductory video, before continuing on a quest for hidden treasures in the search for Santa’s surprises. Additional fun includes building paths to guide lost elves, designing vehicles in the Christmas Express, and creating festive ornaments to decorate a LEGO®   Christmas tree. Younger children will enjoy the pre-school LEGO®    DUPLO®    area, while adults will find inspiration in the Botanical Zone, featuring a stunning range of fauna and floral inspired LEGO® sets. Participants will also stand a chance to win exclusive LEGO® sets and merchandise, adding to the excitement.   Tickets for the LEGO® Gift the superpower of play activation will be available from 5 December on Webtickets or at the venue from 6 December, priced at R25 per person (for a 45-minutes session) for both adults and children. Only card payments will be accepted, and each child attending (under the age of 12 years) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.   Give the gift of a dream come true  This festive season also presents an opportunity to give back, through Gateway’s collaboration with Reach for a Dream. From 18 November to 24 December, this remarkable organisation will take over the mall’s gifting concierge service, wrapping gifts in exchange for donations. Every contribution will help make the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses come true, continuing the legacy of last year’s campaign, which raised over R300,000. Gateway aims to surpass that milestone in 2024, encouraging everyone to support the cause.   The centre will once again be collaborating with Disney to host the popular Chari-Tree in aid of Reach for a Dream. Find the remarkable Disney tree beautifully decorated with dozens of Disney character plush toys in the food court, where a promotional poster will provide the details on how you can make a difference this holiday.   Live entertainment and endless shopping   Visitors will also get to enjoy live music performances over the holidays at Palm Court, where local musicians and DJs will set the tone for relaxed afternoons. Performances will take place from 1 pm to 4 pm, offering the perfect opportunity to unwind with a meal and enjoy a lively atmosphere.     Adding to Gateway’s impressive bouquet of over 380 top local and international stores, the luxury fragrance brand Jo Malone London has recently opened its first store in KwaZulu-Natal, offering highly sought-after gifting options .      Gateway will extend its trading hours from 11 December 2024 to 5 January 2025, allowing shoppers more time to explore the mall, find the perfect gifts, and enjoy all the holiday activities. Whether visitors are on the hunt for last-minute presents or simply soaking in the festive cheer, the extended hours will ensure everyone can make the most of the season.     Of course, no holiday is complete without a photograph with Santa. He will be visiting the centre from the 14 - 24 December and be available for photographs daily between 10am – 4pm in the Steve Madden court. Ensure your phone is ready to capture the perfect picture!   Throughout the holiday, Gateway will be transformed with festive décor from 22 November 2024 to 6 January 2025. Shoppers will be treated to captivating displays throughout the mall, including a giant teddy bear, an enormous cone-shaped Christmas tree, and twinkling lights that provide memorable photo opportunities.   Feel the magic of the holidays at Gateway this December, where each moment promises joy, excitement, and lasting memories for the whole family. For further information and updates on the centre’s festive season activities, musical performance times and more, or go to the website  https://gatewayworld.co.za/ or follow Gateway on social media:  https://www.instagram.com/gatewayumhlanga/ Gateway festive season trading hours: ·       11 – 15 December  9am – 9pm ·       16 – 23 December 9am – 10pm ·       24 December 9am – 8pm ·       25 December Voluntary trade ·       26 – 29 December 9am – 9pm ·       30 – 31 December 9am – 8pm ·       1 January Voluntary trade ·       2 – 5 January 9am – 8pm ·       6 January Normal trading resumes