MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Berenice Kogana, who was the Mossel Bay South African Council for Business Women (SACBW) branch leader last year, has been elected the Western and Eastern SACBW region leader.
We asked her about this new title.
This is a wonderful achievement. You have lived in Mossel Bay for 40 years and only this month moved to George. You are certainly putting both Mossel Bay and the Garden Route as a whole on the map.
Yes, it still feels strange to say I live in George now, having spent four decades in Mossel Bay, but I love the move and am an advocate for change in order to grow.
It is a huge honor to be appointed as the SACBW regional leader for the Western and Eastern Cape. I believe a leader should serve, so my plan is to serve the Western and Eastern region ladies through the SACBW platform.
Our managing committee consists of some successful business women and I'm looking forward to learning from each one.
What are your goals for 2025?
To enlarge the SACBW platform by reaching out to the smaller towns and foster inclusivity to involve all business women and entrepreneurs, from the top business woman to the one selling cookies from her home.
You still have close links to Mossel Bay. You had a women's conference here last weekend to "kick-start" the New Year.
Yes, I am not fully sure now what God requires from me in this new season, but I enjoyed kickstarting my year with Mossel Bay and George ladies, who attended.
The Myrtle Tree NPO, of which I am the founder, still serves Mossel Bay, so yes, I will be around Mossel Bay.
People describe the SACBW as a sisterhood. What does this mean?
That's what I love about the SACBW n- the sisterhood.
We are not business women competing against one another, but learning from one another.
As regional leader, my portfolio is events and my plan is to focus on the sisterhood aspect of the SACBW through events.
How does joining the SACBW help business women? There are many successful business women who are not part of the organisation?
The platform is designed to support, equip and help with collaboration.
Our theme for this year is Innovate to Grow and we have some exciting new membership benefits planned.
Our monthly networking sessions are a highlight and every month we leave, motivated.
The networking session is open to members and non-members.
How has being part of the SACBW helped you?
My entrepreneurial vision has been ignited through being in rooms filled with business women.
Through the SACBW my business has received exposure and collaboration.
The SACBW has also grown my personal branding and business confidence.
What is the criteria for being chosen for your position? Are you nominated?
Yes, I was nominated to be regional leader. One of the criteria is that you had to be a branch leader previously.
Is the SACBW membership growing?
Yes, not just in numbers, but in towns. Our vision is to have a branch in every town. Business ladies can contact us about opening a branch in their town.
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