Reflections of a Chairlady

Stepping into February, I can’t help but feel that January was our warmup month. January was our month of resetting, planning and finding our rhythm again.

But as we step into the second month of the year, it is now all about intention in action. It is where momentum truly begins. It is where we stop preparing and we start progressing.

The month of February is also often associated with relationships. In business, relationships are everything.

For me, in life, all the relationships we build mean everything. And often, we are given signs that direct and guide us. But how often do we miss them?

Let me regale you with a story from my past weekend.

I went to watch the Sharks Match on Saturday afternoon. I have not been to a match in a very long time. Truth be told, rugby is not my preferred sport, but the entire population of South Africa loves this sport, so I digress. I guess it was the fact that there was also a music concert by one of my favourite local bands called “Freshly Ground”. And if any of you know me well, music is my soul. I will deal with 90 minutes of grown men beating each other up for a small oval ball so I can listen to my favourite band afterwards.

The air was heavy and thick, with all of us perspiring from the insane humidity level. I happened to have chosen seats much preferred by young teenagers, mostly over the age of 14 years old. Note to self, choose different seats next time. The further away from yelling teenagers, the better.

Here I was wedged firmly between my 6-foot-tall husband and a young lady who had the same healthy form as mine. We were both silently cursing the inventor of these seats.

Now this young lady seemed to have the patience of a saint. That, or she just had a really good sense of humour. For the entire 90 minutes, she endured beer being spilled on her, yelling from male teenagers to their counterparts walking past, and assisting me in helping young girls climb over our seats in the shortest skirts since their invention in the 1960’s.

In those torturous 90 minutes we established a relationship. We had not even exchanged names yet, but we exchanged silent cursed looks as beer came showering over us on a regular basis.

After the match, I proceeded to watch my favourite band on the outside field. It was pure ecstasy for me to listen to live music by my favourite artist. It almost made enduring the 90 minutes of teenage torture, worth it.

I watched as all genders and all ages of a very diverse crowd sang and danced in unison. In those moments, everything seemed well. In those moments, I remembered how much I love being South African. I thought to myself, imagine if we could be this united every single day?

I did get to know my young lady’s name by the way. She told me that her name was “Simunye”. I remember thinking that this definitely means something. I researched the meaning of her name, and it is a zulu word meaning “we are one”. It represents unity, solidarity, and the rainbow nation concept in our Country. Often emphasizing collective strength, community and the philosophy of Ubuntu. It is frequently used to promote collaboration and togetherness.

In closing, I say, we should not aim to be competitors but rather aim to be collaborators. We should be mentors, partners and champions of one another’s successes. When we grow, we open the door for many others to follow.

At KZN Women in Business, let us aim to always practice the spirit of Ubuntu. Let us show up consistently, even when it’s uncomfortable. Let’s speak about our businesses with confidence, not apology. Let us ask for support without guilt and offer it without hesitation.

Let us always move forward with clarity, courage and community.

May we continue to remind ourselves, and each other that we belong at every table we sit at.