Page 41 - Winning Women 2017

BWASA 41

Xoliswa Hlongwane won Durban’s
. FROM PAGE 40 government category. She echoed what
East London’s professional category “ “ the journey to the award – it was about
compliment to be acknowledged by this
many of the other winners said about
highly regarded association, and
especially when the criteria [used by
the judges to choose the winners] are
“self-realisation, self-appreciation and
the urge to give back”
values that are intrinsic to my business
I plan to not waste this
Hlongwane found the experience
and personal philosophy. This natural
opportunity and will use
alignment affirms my ambitions.”
“humbling” but said it was testimony to
The journey to becoming a regional
the fact that “there is a positive
my voice and my
business achiever award winner was
“amazing”, said Dr Robyn Spring,
honour”.
woman by revealing tips
Now, she is moving on to “newer and
winner. experience to uplift other correlation between hard work and
bigger challenges”.
on how I’ve done it and
It allowed the Beacon Bay “We can’t live on past successes. If I
gynaecologist and obstetrician to assess encourage other woman am as good as this award suggests I am,
“what I have achieved and where I am to never give up. – Petta it must be visible in the difference that
in terms of my long-term goals. It has Mclellan, corporate I make at work, in my family, in my
been such an amazing opportunity to category winner, East community and South Africa as a
reflect on these things.” whole.”
Petta Mclellan, a project manager who London For many of the regional nominees,
received the East London branch’s this was their first introduction to the
award in the corporate category, Businesswomen’s Association in their
described the moment when she knew wherever I could. To be recognised for region. Their feedback was invaluable to
she was in the running as “a Cinderella rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck the leadership of the various branches,
moment”. in, mentoring others, giving back to the and their positive experiences should
“I’ve been in the industry in one way community and achieving success in encourage other women to join the
or another for 30 years and know that I this amazing career in construction has organisation.
have contributed in meaningful ways been an absolute highlight in my life.” . TO PAGE 42

The East London branch chair Deidre Nxumalo-Freeman (right) with the winners

PAST PRESIDENT Basetsana Kumalo,
a former president of the association,
addresses the Port Elizabeth function ONE VOICE The East London event featured the popular Soweto Opera Quadro