-
Celebrating the Changemakers of South Africa
-
Celebrating the Changemakers of South Africa
Celebrating Women Who Uplift South Africa
Join us as we
honour Proteas of Mzansi
The Proteas of Mzansi initiative is a much-loved celebration of South Africa’s unsung heroines — women who pour themselves into the work of community upliftment, often without any public acknowledgement. It’s a recognition of selfless service, quiet resilience, and tangible impact within the social sector.
Each year, Nation Builder invites the public to nominate remarkable women changemakers from across South Africa. The ten selected Proteas of Mzansi are celebrated in the Western Cape with a meaningful day of honour, professional photoshoot, pampering and a formal gala dinner — a truly special occasion designed to spotlight their stories and amplify their impact.
But this initiative is more than just a moment of recognition—and in 2025, it continues to grow.
Each year, Proteas of Mzansi evolves in reach and relevance, with more in store for the selected women. As the initiative expands, so do the opportunities to spotlight and elevate their work—amplifying their voices, celebrating their contributions in new and meaningful ways, and unlocking more opportunities for collaboration across the social impact ecosystem.
Now in its thirteenth year since its inception as Proteas of the Valley, and its second year as the national Proteas of Mzansi initiative, this celebration continues to grow—not only in size and reach, but in its ability to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, partners, and communities. These groups are united by one shared value: the belief that change begins with people taking action together.
Proteas of Mzansi 2025
Nominations now open
Do you know a woman who selflessly serves her community?
Nominations are now open for Proteas of Mzansi 2025 — and we want to hear from you!
If you know a woman who is making a lasting difference in her community through acts of service, leadership, and innovation, we invite you to put her name forward for this national honour.
Nominations close on Friday, 06 June 2025
You may nominate more than one person, but each nomination requires a separate form.
By nominating a deserving woman, you are helping us shine a light on her selfless acts and contributions to her community.
This recognition not only honours her efforts but also inspires others to follow in her footsteps, fostering a spirit of collective impact throughout our nation.
SOCIAL IMPACT: The nominee must be actively working within the social impact space.
RESIDENCE: The nominee must reside and work in South Africa.
AGE: The nominee must be at least 21 years old.
ELIGIBILITY: Nation Builder staff, previous winners, and individuals not meeting the criteria are not eligible for nomination.
SCOPE: This initiative is open to all woman in South Africa, including those outside the Nation Builder membership network.
To nominate an inspirational woman, please complete the nomination form. You are welcome to nominate more than one person, but each nominee will need their own separate form.
We look forward to celebrating the incredible woman who are making a positive difference in our communities. Your participation helps us acknowledge their efforts and amplify their stories.
Let’s continue to shine a light on the women who carry the weight of transformation in their hands and hearts — and champion the collective impact they make across our country.
Honouring Women of South Africa
Celebrating the 2024
Proteas of Mzansi
The 2024 Proteas of Mzansi were honoured at a heartfelt gala dinner in Paarl, where we celebrated their stories of impact, courage, and community leadership. Explore each Protea’s story of impact and view moments from the evening in our photo gallery below.
Amanda-Jane (Mandy)
Pearson
ReStory Foundation
Read more…
Amanda-Jane (Mandy) Pearson
Durban – The protea family includes a wide range of species, each with their own unique shapes and colours. They symbolise diversity and variety.
The 52-year-old Mandy Pearson, a wife and mother of three from KwaZulu-Natal, has made it her life’s work to cultivate and foster diversity and inclusivity in the same way.
She is passionate about justice, dignity and empowerment and believes that her calling is to help bring healing and wholeness to the world.
Mandy is the founder and CEO of the ReStory Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation founded in 2007 with the sole purpose of empowering the marginalised such as orphans, vulnerable children and unemployed youth to be agents of change.
It all started with Mandy praying to God to direct her to a community closer to her where she could make a meaningful difference. Bhambayi was brought to her attention after flash floods had a significant impact on this already extremely disadvantaged community in Inanda.
The Bhambayi Project was the first seed sown from which the ReStory Foundation ultimately grew. “I had a growing discontent from a young age that things weren’t as they were meant to be with people treated differently by race,” Mandy, who holds a Masters in Economics of Developing Countries from Cambridge, explains.
“The world needs right-siding. It’s wrong that people are treated as less than because of the colour of their skin or because their wallets are empty. These individuals are often far wealthier in ways that count. It’s wrong that South Africa has the worst inequality in the world. Charitable giving often unintentionally reinforces inequality and increases poverty of being,” she adds.
Mandy believes that how people see others and how they give needs to change. “We need to build up those who have been treated as less than and who have usually been through the most horrific traumas. We need to grow their identity, belonging and their trauma resilience, and enable them to be courageous agents of positive change in the world. Without these things, how can we hope to build a thriving South Africa?”
The space she works in can be very rewarding, but also extremely challenging and sometimes the wheels of change can move slowly – until like-minded people stand together and roll up their sleeves.
Mandy recalls one of the proudest moments in her life as when they marched to the Ntuzuma Court, where their children delivered a petition with over 11 000 signatures. It led to the rearrest of a repeat rapist and the removal of a magistrate from that court to be investigated.
It ultimately also brought the very divided Bhambayi community closer together and helped them to stand up against crime.
“The community policing forum strengthened, neighbourhood watches started growing and adults and children marched together, united against crime. But then a backlash started, and perpetrators started killing those bringing about this change.
“A significant number of the community policing forum were among the victims. I lost Madlokovu, a dear friend and key member of our community board of advisors. Three children, who are now part of our programmes, lost their parents. My staff and I were in serious danger.”
Mandy explains that the backlash and lives lost challenged her to the core of her being as she felt responsible. “If the work of growing agency was causing people to lose their lives, what was I doing? As a team we discussed what to do however. One staff member, orphaned at 12 years old, said: ‘We have the clothes of love and the clothes of fight. If we must fight, we will fight.’
“We still long to see the community ignited and unified for a cleaner, safer community and are continuing the fight (especially against child rape), but now approach this far more carefully.”
One of my greatest achievements: “Seeing our orphans who have been so damaged by life spontaneously helping those new to our programme – whether it’s overcoming their trauma or help with their schoolwork. We have had children as old as 12 who have never been in school before. The school even sends us videos of our children helping in class!”
Danielle
Moosaji
Arise Children’s Ministry
Read more…
Danielle Moosaji
“To live with integrity, authenticity and honesty.”
Cape Town – Growing up on the Cape Flats in Cape Town in a single parent household and a strained relationship with her father struggling with addiction, meant that the 38-year-old Danielle Moosaji had to overcome many challenges as a child and teen.
Just like the hardy nature of proteas – which can withstand tough environments – Danielle too however represents courage and bravery. She persevered and grew despite these challenges and has since devoted her life to working with vulnerable children and families as the executive director of the faith-based organisation Arise.
“After overcoming many challenges as a child and teen, I wanted to give children and families the same peace that I had knowing that it is possible to move forward and achieve one’s goals even when it is tough,” Danielle explains.
It has been a journey to where she is today, she adds. From her studies to her career in the corporate environment and ultimately finding herself at Arise. “I find that I have found my calling to the hard stuff, the messy stuff – which is helping people navigate difficult relationships. This is all rooted in my relationship with God. Knowing that God created everyone with a purpose.”
Danielle has over 14 years’ experience working with children and families on the Cape Flats. She is a wife and a mother of three children and became the director of Arise in her early thirties. Before that she had a successful career in the corporate environment when she worked in consulting.
She describes her greatest achievement in life however as seeing children and families’ lives change for the better. “I have countless stories of children who were on the road of dropping out of school or joining gangs, turning their lives around. Or caregivers connecting deeply with their children,” Danielle says.
Her work and the people that crosses her path have changed her life too, she adds. “My motivation every day is making sure children are feeling seen and heard. In many ways, these children and families have no idea how they have changed my life.”
Even though she loves and believes in the work she is doing, it hasn’t been easy. Being a young female leader in a faith-based environment has its challenges. “I have had to prove myself repeatedly as I had male leaders consistently doubt my decision and strategic viewpoints – especially in corporate settings when I worked in consulting.
“It felt like I had to prove myself all the time as I became a director of an organisation in my early 30s. There were many times I felt like I wanted to quit and give up. It impacted my self-esteem deeply.”
At the end of 2018 when Danielle stepped in as interim director of Arise, the organisation had its hardest financial year in its history – threatening to close its doors. “With great perseverance from the team, we ended the year by winning two big awards for our programme development with regards to family strengthening, namely a gold award in social innovation and a Mark Shuttleworth Award. It is still one of the biggest highlights of my career!”
She explains that her belief that everyone is made in the image of God motivates her daily to do the work that she does. “God calls us to show hope in a world of despair. With that belief I want to ensure that those without hope has hope, that relationships can be restored, that children are valued and that families – no matter how they are formed – are the cornerstone of our society. If we can strengthen families, we can strengthen communities.”
One of my greatest achievements: “Besides being a mother to three wonderful children and wife to an amazing husband, my greatest achievement by far is seeing children and families’ lives change for the better.”
Virginia (Annietjie)
Ramatlhape
Kgabo Holdings T/A Kgabo Cars
Read more…
Virginia (Annietjie) Ramatlhape
“Attitude of gratitude. Always.”
Tembisa – Creating a safe hub for little minds where young book worms are fostered, nurtured and empowered is what the 54-year-old Annietjie Ramatlhape lives for.
This mother of three hails from the Alexandra township in Johannesburg and knows all too well the challenges of being unemployed and how helpless one feels not being able to find a job.
Just like proteas however, which have in South African culture long been regarded as symbols of hope, resilience and strength, Annietjie persevered and has since dedicated her life to nurturing young minds and sharing the magic that books can bring.
“I grew up in the Alexandra township and had a good upbringing. I don’t remember having any challenges as a child – only in my teenage years when I became a mother while I was still in high school,” Annietjie, now a grandmother of four, says.
One of the most difficult challenges in her life was completing her tertiary education and not being able to find a job for a long time. She eventually found herself in the short-term insurance sector where she worked as an underwriter for 20 years.
Her passion for reading, books, language and education led this experienced and compassionate volunteer to start and facilitate two book clubs in Tembisa and Soshanguve respectively, called the Marang Children’s Book Club.
She has also volunteered at the Rose Act Saturday school for almost 18 years, where children from grade 4 to 9 are tutored in Maths and English over weekends.
At her book clubs the children work on their reading, spelling and mental maths, play puzzles and educational games, draw, read and then play some more. “I started volunteering as a teacher because I knew I had beautiful ideas of how to work with children of different ages and at different school grades. There was a problem where our grade 4 children were not reading to understand well, and I knew I had to correct that – one child at a time,” she adds.
“I love it when children become readers. I have been a reader since I was a child. I know what a great feeling it is to be able to read, speak, spell and write with ease only because you are a reader,” Annietjie says.
One of her greatest achievements in life? Running two children’s book clubs and doing it from her own pocket. “Having children come to the book clubs without being forced makes me extremely proud. Also being able to provide a safe space for children to learn and play outside of school.”
One of my greatest achievements in life: “Running two children’s book clubs successfully will forever be my greatest achievement – especially since I am still doing this from my own pocket!”
Mathilda
Fourie
Vastfontein Community Transformation
Read more…
Mathilda Fourie
“May all who come behind me find me faithful.” (Song by Steve Green)
Pretoria – The Queen Protea symbolises change and hope – a beacon of resilience and beauty in the fynbos landscape, even in the most adverse conditions.
The Queen Protea also carries a message of enduring strength and transformation. In the same way, the 64-year-old Mathilda Fourie embodies and spreads that same message by touching and changing lives every day through education, training and mentorship.
“There really is no greater achievement than obeying God and doing His will,” Mathilda, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the nonprofit organisation Vastfontein Community Transformation, explains. She is also an executive director for Halftime Institute Africa and holds an honours degree in Theology.
“Being busy with what He has called me to do and doing what He asks of me – whilst doing it faithfully and with joy – that is an achievement. As well as seeing someone’s life change when they accept Jesus through our testimonies and having loved them through their difficulties.”
As the CEO of Vastfontein Community Transformation, Mathilda is responsible for the organisation as a whole – which includes Christian schools providing affordable and quality education for disadvantaged children, a wellness Centre, skills development and training, church activities and other support services.
The organisation aims to educate, train, develop and mentor people and children holistically, with a vision to ultimately see a transformed community.
Mathilda and her husband Wessel have however also opened their own home as a place of safety and care for vulnerable children and those in need over the years. She is a mother of five, including two adopted children, 18 foster children and 11 grandchildren.
“I grew up in Pretoria. I was rebellious and often challenged the systems. I am however very grateful for praying parents and a grandmother and God’s grace for saving me out of a life in the world, and into a life dedicated to His Kingdom at the age of 24,” she says.
“I grew up in a house where being generous and helping others was part of what we did. My husband didn’t grow up in the same environment, so getting him on board was the biggest challenge. When I surrendered him to the Lord and allowed Him to change his heart, our household opened first, after which God called us into fulltime ministry.”
Mathilda says the lives that have been touched and changed by Jesus through her is something she is immensely proud of. “I do what I do because I love Jesus and would like to hear Him say the following to me when I meet Him face to face one day: ‘You have brought me glory by completing the work I sent you to do (John 17:4).’”
One of my greatest achievements in life: “There is no greater achievement in life than obeying God and doing His will.”
Zahida
Goulfarris-Ishmail
Valmont Early Childhood Development Forum
Read more…
Zahida Goulfarris-Ishmail
“Success is best when it’s shared.”
Cape Town – She always lacked confidence when she was young. “I suffered from low self-esteem for most of my life until I found my passion,” the 45-year-old Zahida Goulfarris-Ishmail, a passionate Capetonian social entrepreneur and early childhood development professional, explains.
Today Zahida is the proud co-owner and principal of Incy Wincy College in Charlesville on the Cape Flats, a school with three campuses educating and changing children’s lives since July 1998.
And just like the bold and striking appearance of the protea, Zahida is brave and fearless in her quest to educate and empower young minds and mentor others to be successful.
“My primary and high school experience was very challenging. My college experience, however, brought about a change in me for the better,” Zahida explains. She has a National Diploma in Educare, a Certificate in Education Management from UNISA and a NQF level 5 certificate in Small Business Management from the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
Zahida is also on the committee of the Sharing Hope Foundation and the chairperson of the Valmont Early Childhood Development Forum. She started her school when she was just 19 years old with her father as her partner.
“It’s when I successfully completed a course in Early Childhood Development that I realised that I have found my calling. My confidence grew and it changed my life forever,” she says.
Zahida is passionate about education and serving her community. Her parents have been her role models from a young age, always rolling up their sleeves and getting involved in various community projects. “My parents were always involved in community work. Their commitment to be there for others shaped who I am. I have always been driven to make a difference and to assist those in need to the best of my ability.”
This mother of four lists motherhood, being able to be a successful businesswoman and the fact that she is a humanitarian as the things she is proudest of in her life. “Managing a successful business and being able to mentor others to also build successful businesses are some of my greatest achievements in life so far,” she adds.
“I absolutely love being able to make a positive impact in the lives of little ones. I strive to lay a firm foundation for every learner that graduates from my school.”
One of my greatest achievements in life: “Managing a successful business and being able to mentor others to also build successful businesses.”
Maria
Solomons
Solomons Haven
Read more…
Maria Solomons
“Do unto others as you want done unto you.”
Mitchells Plain – Proteas are known for their ability to survive and thrive in harsh conditions, symbolising transformation and resilience.
So too the 66-year-old Maria Solomons has also survived and thrived through many hardships and challenges over the years, ultimately dedicating her life to help thousands of abused children find their way to a better life.
Maria is the founder of Solomons Haven in Mitchells Plain in Cape Town, a nonprofit organisation that cares for physically and sexually abused children placed in their care by the Department of Social Services.
She established the shelter in 2001, determined to help abused children and offer them a place of safety – a place where they not only receive food and counselling but also get equipped with skills to help them in the future.
Maria says she has since helped more than 3 000 abused children into loving homes or environments that is free from abuse. And she is rightfully proud.
“One of my greatest achievements in life is seeing them years later, having their own families and reaching the goals that seemed unreachable to them.”
Life hasn’t always been kind to Maria, who grew up in Retreat.
“There was always abuse in the house between my mother and father – especially on the weekends, from Friday afternoon until Sunday. One of the most challenging experiences that I had to go through in life was having to leave school at 10 years old to care for my siblings,” she says.
“It meant that I was illiterate until the age of 38 when I attended Maryland to learn to read and write.”
Maria explains that the circumstances of her own upbringing motivated her to roll up her sleeves and get involved in her community.
“Having lived in poverty myself, I could not just stand by and see the suffering around me – knowing that no matter how small my contribution is, I can still do something for others. I want to ensure that others are given the opportunities that were taken away from me.”
What are you most proud of? “To be a positive contributing member of society and to be able to assist people in need.”
Amanda
Blankfield-Koseff
Empowervate
Read more…
Amanda Blankfield-Koseff
“Be the change you want to see in the world. Mahatma Ghandi popularised this quote.”
Johannesburg – The protea flower plays a supporting role in our local ecosystems – attracting pollinators and providing a habitat for birds, insects and other small mammals.
In the same way the 41-year-old Amanda Blankfield-Koseff works passionately to empower and motivate the next generation of active citizens by providing skills development and teaching leadership skills.
She is the founder and chief executive officer of The Youth Citizens Action Programme (Y-CAP) – a youth development competition-based programme focusing on empowering and motivating children and youth through conscientiously teaching leadership skills and competencies for them to become active citizens and social entrepreneurs in their communities.
“Ever since I can remember I wanted to help others. My parents are caring people, and they instilled that value in me,” Amanda explains. “I wrote a poem about how parents need support to help their children when I was in primary school. I submitted the poem to be published, but it was rejected. When I finished school, I was still searching for a way I could help people, because I did not want to be a doctor.”
Amanda started working for the nonprofit organisation Afrika Tikkun as a marketing manager and found her calling. “My passion for youth development began there – especially after seeing their afterschool programmes. Shortly thereafter I started Y-CAP.”
The programme was so successful that it was moved to its own youth empowerment organisation, Empowervate Trust, in 2013. “I get a sense of fulfilment when I see young people discovering they have the power to make positive changes to their circumstances and their lives. I love seeing people grow and develop into the best versions of themselves,” Amanda says.
This mother of one is also involved in many other sectors of her community. She is a guitar teacher, volunteers as a trainer and mentor of small and medium enterprises at ORT Jet and performs at homes for the elderly to cheer up the residents. She is even running the Cape Town Marathon to raise funds for Empowervate!
Life has however had its own difficulties over the years. When Amanda was just 12 years old, she and her family were the victims of an armed robbery at their house. “I had to untie my grandmother and unlock the bathroom where they kept my parents after they [the robbers] left. It was a scary experience, but I was grateful we were not badly hurt or worse.”
When she was 13 years old her parents got divorced. Even though they are all close and get along, Amanda says she is proud of the fact that none of those experiences negatively affected her. “I am proud that I started an organisation and got married in 2013 at the age of thirty. I am also proud that Y-CAP is 15 years old. I am proud that I am managing juggling all the things I do in my life, like being a wife, mother, homemaker, CEO, guitar teacher, marathon runner, opera student, music theory student, daughter, sister, and friend.”
One of my greatest achievements in life: “I love it when I meet up with an alumnus from Y-CAP who tells me how the programme changed their lives – or I meet a guitar student who says their confidence was boosted from lessons with me and they improved in all aspects of their lives. “It is all about helping people see and reach their potential.”
Marion
Peake
Helping Those in Need
Read more…
Marion Peake
“I grew up in a coloured community where we had enough to live by. I served soup alongside my mom as a child growing up,” she tells of her childhood and how she started caring for others in need since she was a young girl.
Today Marion is an inspiration and pillar in her community. Except for her own two beautiful biological daughters, she also cares for a further 25 children they have rescued from abuse and abandonment.
She has also since fallen pregnant – a miracle and against all odds after being diagnosed with triple positive receptor invasive cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy and cervical surgery. She and Matthew never thought they would ever be able to have more children after being told it was medically impossible.
Now she is excitedly looking forward to the day they get to meet the new life in her belly.
She is however still in the midst of her cancer battle, but Marion makes it her life’s work to not just care for all the children in need in her community but also motivate and inspire many women facing the same trauma she has.
“We all need a helping hand sometimes. The turning point for me was when that hand wasn’t available during my times in need. I decided I wanted to be the hand that’s there for others as I know what it feels like not to have that,” she explains.
So, what are the things this remarkable woman that has overcome so many challenges are the proudest of in her life?
“I’m most proud of my spirit to never give up – despite what life throws at me. My faith and the thousands of children who call me mom from the bottom or their hearts make me proud daily. I don’t focus on my actions but rather the smiles I get to create through being humble.”
One of my greatest achievements in life: “Being a safe haven for many women and children – not just in my home but also in my heart.”
“]
“If life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade – take it up a notch and make lemon meringue.”
East London – The protea flower doesn’t just symbolise strength and resilience, but also a mother’s love.
The meaning behind this flower could however not be more fitting when it comes to the 38-year-old Marion Peake, a humanitarian, philanthropist, mother, cancer warrior and advocate for children’s rights in the Eastern Cape.
Marion is the chief executive officer of the nonprofit organisation Helping Those in Need (HTIN), an organisation she started with her husband, Matthew, in 2017 to foster abused and abandoned children, and feed families in need and the homeless.
“My greatest achievement in life so far has been realising my greatest desire of being a mother of the nation to all the races [in Africa] living in our home. I also provide a safe haven for many women and children – not just in my home but also in my heart. There is no greater joy and achievement in life than earning true authentic gratitude and changing lives – not by my works, but by God’s works and a community who stands by us,” Marion explains.
“I grew up in a coloured community where we had enough to live by. I served soup alongside my mom as a child growing up,” she tells of her childhood and how she started caring for others in need since she was a young girl.
Today Marion is an inspiration and pillar in her community. Except for her own two beautiful biological daughters, she also cares for a further 25 children they have rescued from abuse and abandonment.
She has also since fallen pregnant – a miracle and against all odds after being diagnosed with triple positive receptor invasive cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy and cervical surgery. She and Matthew never thought they would ever be able to have more children after being told it was medically impossible.
Now she is excitedly looking forward to the day they get to meet the new life in her belly.
She is however still in the midst of her cancer battle, but Marion makes it her life’s work to not just care for all the children in need in her community but also motivate and inspire many women facing the same trauma she has.
“We all need a helping hand sometimes. The turning point for me was when that hand wasn’t available during my times in need. I decided I wanted to be the hand that’s there for others as I know what it feels like not to have that,” she explains.
So, what are the things this remarkable woman that has overcome so many challenges are the proudest of in her life?
“I’m most proud of my spirit to never give up – despite what life throws at me. My faith and the thousands of children who call me mom from the bottom or their hearts make me proud daily. I don’t focus on my actions but rather the smiles I get to create through being humble.”
One of my greatest achievements in life: “Being a safe haven for many women and children – not just in my home but also in my heart.”
Matimba Glacia
Makaringe
Courageous Cosmetics
Read more…
Matimba Glacia Makaringe
“The sky is not the limit.”
Tzaneen – The Protea flower is symbolic of strength, power and resilience. These flowers are bold and represent beauty and encouragement.
One can say that the 34-year-old Matimba Makaringe, an entrepreneur and motivational activist, encourages the people in her community and surrounding areas to heal and rebuild their confidence in the same way.
This mother and businesswoman have used the difficulties and challenges she has experienced in life to build a business that restores hope and dignity – motivating other women to rise above, fight against all odds and rebuild their lives.
Matimba is the founder and managing director of Courageous Cosmetics, a perfume shop in Nkowankowa, Limpopo, manufacturing oil-based perfumes and learning women about the industry and running a small business. She is also a mentor and coach for The Sistapreneur, and initiative she started to help young women running informal businesses to formalise their operations.
“I grew up in Nkowankowa, a township on the outskirts of Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province. I was raised by a single mother who worked as a teacher,” Matimba explains.
“My mother didn’t have a car, and I was an athlete so on weekends she had to hire someone to take me to school to catch the bus for that weekend’s sports activities. She would also make sure to fetch me from my daily sport practice and we would take a taxi back home together.”
According to Matimba there were two challenging life events she experienced that eventually led her onto her current life path. “As a young adult, dealing with a miscarriage was one of the most difficult things I ever went through. I also sustained second degree burn wounds on my lower body. This affected my self-esteem greatly and I had to fight so hard to find myself again and regain my confidence,” she says.
“I however woke up one day and decided that I no longer want to feel the darkness. One of my greatest achievements in life so far is bouncing back from depression and going on to help many other people find their voice and strength,” Matimba adds.
She is extremely proud of the fact that she can bounce back from any situation and wants to share that with others. “I want to restore hope and dignity in underdeveloped communities. I want to heal people and help them rebuild their confidence. Fighting anxiety and depression and realising that I didn’t have a support system, made me want to be the pillar of strength and a mentor for children and women in and around my community.”
One of my greatest achievements in life: “Bouncing back from depression and going on to help many other people find their voice and strength.”
Brenda
Scheepers
Knoop Academy NPC
Read more…
Brenda Scheepers
“Get up . . . don’t give up.”
Durban – The protea flower’s unique appearance has always been perceived as a symbol of individuality and the ability to stay true to oneself.
The 55-year-old Brenda Scheepers, a social entrepreneur, creative and changemaker, encourages authenticity and empowers a network of crafters to rise above their circumstances and stay true to themselves in the same way.
Brenda is the founder and managing director of Knoop Academy NPC, an organisation striving to develop more sustainable crafters by empowering them to create products of a very high standard and quality – along with increasing their skill level and market share.
Knoop Academy was founded in 2017 and has since empowered numerous crafters with the necessary skills to grow their businesses and change their own lives.
Brenda herself started her career as a sample set manager, pattern maker and designer in the clothing manufacturing industry in KwaZulu-Natal, after which she ran her own fashion atelier. She is passionate about design and making things with her hands, but just as passionate about empowering women and fellow creators and helping others to thrive by using their God-given talents.
Brenda can do both through Knoop Academy. When you ask her why she has become involved in social entrepreneurship and empowerment work, she explains that it brings out the best of her in terms of her skills and talents. “It doesn’t feel like work; it is a way of life,” she says.
She describes her divorce and getting back on her feet financially after that, as one of the most challenging experiences in her life. It however also set her on the path she is today – helping others become the best version of themselves by finetuning their skills and establishing successful businesses.
“Surviving on my own with no financial backup has really been one of my greatest achievements in life so far. “It has been a tough journey, but it has made me resilient and determined. I’m a better person because of it,” she says.
She is also extremely proud of the milestones the Knoop Academy has achieved – like being able to sell their products in the USA. “I am also extremely proud of the empowerment of two of our learners to become trainers over the past four years. It has truly been a dream come true for me, and one my crafters didn’t think was possible.”
She adds that the gap year she took at 40 was also a turning point in her life and reminded her of the passion and dreams she had for empowerment work and social upliftment. “It helped me to remember the dreams I had to do community upliftment when I studied. I decided to dust those aspirations off and give it a go.”
One of my greatest achievements in life: “Survival on my own with no financial backup. It has been a tough journey, but it has made me resilient and determined. I’m a better person because of it.”
Showcasing the endurance +
dedication of Mzansi’s leading ladies
Hailing from different corners of South Africa, these ten extraordinary women are a testament to what’s possible when compassion meets courage. Their legacies continue to inspire us as we look ahead to this year’s celebration.
