Page 21 - Standard Bank KZN Top Business Women 2021

If you’re connected with your inner voice,

you will be fine. Trust that voice more.

Rugby Commentator and Businesswoman acknowledgement, even though half the time they didn’t trying to adjust to the demands of the situation. Dawn
know what I was talking about was really wonderful. feels that her one piece of advice to other women would
I think that came through especially when I was a bit be to find your voice. “And if you do lose your voice
awn Dunn has worn many caps over the
older, and I was challenging the norms. It was really because you will; life happens – it is important to go
years and is a powerhouse of a business-
wonderful to have that background, that grounding and back to your default button and start again. Be kind to
woman. She is a well-known and loved
that certainty of self.” yourself, it’s important to always find that happy voice
Drugby personality who over the last eight
inside you that makes you joyful and makes you want to
years has interacted with many of the rugby fraternity. Her Dawn commented that she has always found business
get up and do what you love. If you’re connected with
technical knowledge, together with her eclectic, vivacious to be easy especially as she has worked with incredible
your inner voice, you will be fine. Trust that voice more.”
nature brings a fresh take on the rugby commentator. people who have had vision. “We have been able to
work together to really produce beautiful work that has Future goals
In addition, Dawn has successfully run events, marketing
inspired me.”
campaigns and a PR business since 2003 and is Dawn says that turning fifty this year has been amazing
responsible for innovative events around South Africa. On the rugby side, Dawn has found the challenges to be for her. Her birthday has given her clarity of vision, which
With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, she has more multi-layered. Men found having a female voice has caused her to shift her goals slightly and she has
diversified into the online space proving that there are in a male dominated environment very challenging. She fresh energy. One of her recent projects is her ongoing
always opportunities in any situation. Consequently, explains that there was a bit of controlling involved as far podcasts with co-host Lauren Terras, which feature the
Dawn has branched into broadcasting, webinars, as that was concerned and which she does not do well, so achievements of women in sports.
photography, and story writing. she pushed back.
She explains, “I want to focus a lot more on story telling
An incredible story “I haven’t grown up with rugby or business in my life, with women in sport. I really find them completely
so I believe that you can break the mould. I think that it inspirational. For me doing the podcasts around the
Dawn’s story is an incredible one. She is a previously
is important not to judge the person by the outer cover. Olympians, focusing on ladies in sport was a game changer
disadvantaged black female who grew up during
A lot of people thought I was blond with big boobs,” because the story telling involved, inspired and energised
apartheid in a township. “We only got electricity she explains. me and created a beautiful new baby.”
when I was eight years old, and I didn’t have to read
Finding your voice In addition, Dawn would like to travel a lot more in sport
by candlelight any more. I only found out that toilets
and be able to tell the stories of the Olympians and of our
weren’t outside in a long drop, when we got a ‘proper’ “For me the biggest challenge was that at some point I
‘beautiful’ Springbok players. She added that the initiative
house. I didn’t know that we were deprived in any way did lose my voice and when you are surrounded by quite
is about making us as South Africans remember just how
because I was a happy child.” a bit of negativity, especially by the boys you love, you do
incredible we are, as well as bridging the gap between the
tend to retreat. I think that it is important to every day
Significantly, the support of her family has ensured she sportsperson and the public.
reconnect with who you are. Reconnect with what is it
has not allowed herself to be limited in her career choices.
that you want to do and sometimes it means removing Dawn would also like to see women in business supporting
Dawn explains, “I do think that your childhood plays a
yourself from the situation, finding the quiet place inside each other more for business execution on all levels.
big part in your person, in your personality and in your
you so that you can be authentic again, be strong again,
strengths. I have always been a bit of a round in a square She concludes, “Let’s look at changing the narrative from
and find your voice again.”
or a square in a round and I really had a lot of support a gender-based violence perspective, from a business
from my father and a bit later assistance from my sister It is not uncommon for women in business to be perspective and from a women’s perspective. I do hope
and the rest of the family. I was always that girl who did challenged on the business level and for them to lose that in my way I can inspire little girls to dream bigger, to
things differently. Having the family’s acceptance and their voices because they are trying to be flexible and want more and to try and get more.”

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