Never doubt the significance of the details – life doesn’t happen by co-incidence!
I think I joined KZN Women in Business in about 2002 when Belinda Davies was the Chairlady, and served on the committee under her guidance and business leadership. Meetings were smaller and more organic than they are these days, but it was the same intimate approach to fostering good business practices and support for one another, as women in business.
It was through the inspiration and encouragement of Sharon Emmerich (active member and former Chairlady 1999 – 2000) that I found the courage and confidence to start my own business in 2005, after having been retrenched, and so Matatu Hospitality Marketing was born. In that same year I took over the leadership of KZNWIB from Cheryl Law and served as Chairperson for a 3 year term. It must have been my enthusiasm, enterprising confidence or sheer ignorance for all things maverick because I don’t think I am ever likely to be that insane or courageous again!
In my 3 year tenure, iThemba Lethu was selected as one of the beneficiaries for two of the monthly meetings:
October 2006 is of my skinny youthful self with the former Co-ordinator at iThemba Lethu, Glenda Williams (nee Algie at the time) with a little champion Milo, now Ethan, who was in the transition homes at the time and was about to be adopted. We collected baskets full of clothing and groceries at the morning networking meeting.
June 2006 we held a beautiful cocktail evening event in the nursery (now the Glenwood Woolies Parking L) and handed over teddy bears for the kiddies in the transition homes
Fast forward to June 2013, when I decided to close my hospitality marketing business to take up the position of Marketing and Fundraising Co-ordinator at iThemba Lethu from Glenda Williams!! Who would have thought or known that despite the close affinity and friendship this would be such a pivotal part of my life story. As if the seeds planted over the years were ready for harvesting, in November 2015, I received the most heartwarming call from Mel Gard informing me that iThemba Lethu had unanimously been selected as the 2016 – 2017 KZNWIB beneficiary.
The rest we now know is part of the most beautiful and powerful “Unfolding Story” that culminated in an overwhelming sum of R155,000 being donated to iThemba Lethu in those two years.
And now here I am back on the committee ready to serve the business women in our city for the next chapter of the journey, what an incredible privilege!
GUEST AUTHOR BIO
Karen Brokensha
Marketing & Fundraising Co-ordinator
iThemba Lethu
At the end of our busy and frantic lives, we want it all to count for something! And finding your purpose and living in the fullness of that destiny is what iThemba Lethu is all about … restoring hope in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children and youth to build resilient families. To partner with a purpose please contact Karen Brokensha.
