Page 51 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

You don’t ask why something is happening, ask,

what are you going to learn from the situation.

Head what she wished to accomplish in her own life. business differently from men to be successful. “We
are set up with so many disadvantages, there are so
of SAS CARES Unfortunately, a hip operation put everything on
hold, and she had to stop working in the health and many things that we need to think about before we
ARCINA MAJID heads up SAS Cares fitness industry, take those steps into business. Men have fraternity,
which is a subsidiary of Southern African My purpose is to help others they have a brotherhood and a comradery, which is
MShipyards. SAS Cares is a skills deve- about uplifting one another. With women, we have
lopment, exposure and experience based non-profit Consequently, Marcina made the decision to work a small gap to contribute in and we are all fighting
organisation. at South African Shipyards which at that time had to be empowered. Michelle Obama said, ‘You can
became part of the family business. “That is when I have it all, you just can’t have it right now’. It is
The organisation was founded on the premise that started working with my husband, Prasheen Maharaj, about taking the time, fighting those causes and
skills and education go hand in hand in developing CEO of SA Shipyards. We worked side by side in making sure that we can get up and have a seat at
individuals and communities. “We want to upskill making a success of the business, but I always felt the table.”
people and also expose people to the possibilities of that I worked better when working on CSI initiatives
careers in the maritime industry,” explained Marcina. and playing a supporting role in that regard. From “I am happy with what I have accomplished. As a
“It is about getting everybody on the same level.” that insight arose SAS Cares and I feel that my person who does a lot of introspection on my life,
I monitor what it is that I think and how I approach
Love for women’s empowerment purpose is to help others.” things. SAS Cares is a stepping-stone that can go

Her journey to establishing the foundation has been In speaking of her sources of inspiration Marcina further. This business is not about my recognition
varied. “After I graduated, I was employed by a firm explained that she is inspired by women who are and ego. The recognition I want is for SAS Cares. I
of chartered accountants. I was very fortunate in go-getters. “I don’t like to glorify people as there want other people to see the good that comes from
that this was at the time when the black economic is a lot of ebb and flow in everybody’s lives. To put this company and that this is going to allow us to
empowerment (BEE) codes came out and I started a one woman up in high regard is doing a disservice take on other partners for our cause.”
BEE verification company.” to all the other women who don’t have a platform Work-life balance
or who are finding themselves. There are a lot
Marcina said that she was in the privileged position of women who wake up at 4 am in the morning Finding a work-life balance is very difficult for
of having her children and being able to run the and slog through a hard day – getting their kids Marcina. “Fortunately, as I have been in the health
company at the same time. However, she then had to school, getting to work on time, having a hard, industry, I try to exercise every day. I like to upskill
a two-year hiatus where she took time out of her honest day. Getting back home, cooking a meal myself so every year I take a recreational course.
working life and reflected on what she really wanted and then getting ready for the next day. They don’t These learnings filter into my family life as whatever I
to do. have learnt I share.”
get recognition and I am inspired by them.”
She explains further, “It just so happened that I However, she added that she is also inspired by “We go through ebbs and flows where we feel like
got into the health and fitness industry. I had two the women who are the chatterboxes; who are we are failing as a mom or as a businesswoman, but
gyms that ran consecutively for about six years. the disrupters. “I am inspired by women who are you do what you can to get through that period.”
During that time, I discovered my love for women’s not defined by a box. By women who have a blank In giving advice to her younger self, Marcina would
empowerment because I worked first-hand with slate – the innovators, our local artists, our designers say drown the noise and don’t listen to all the fears
women. I got to understand the needs and issues and our scientists. All those females who you come that people project onto you. “I would also tell
in their communities and in their lives as well as the across every day in the media.”
socio-economic impact that they have in society or myself to take chances. Every failure is a learning
the lack thereof.” A seat at the table opportunity. You don’t ask why something is
happening, ask, what are you going to learn from
These experiences gave Marcina insight into Marcina believes that women need to approach the situation.”

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