Monthly meeting encourages women to care for themselves
MBOMBELA - The South African Council for Business Women (SACBW) is determined to keep women empowered and surviving in the business world.
On October 13, the council held its monthly sessions under the theme “Take care of yourself!” at the Chill Pepper Boutique Hotel.
Lihandri Maritz, the Riverside Industrial City Improvement District’s manager and financial manager, spoke about the foundation and how people could become involved.
Annriette Slabber, a registered psychologist and director of LifeLine Nelspruit, introduced the organisation and services it offers.
Jessica Prim, Mrs Mpumalanga Semifinalist 2023, shared her experience of mental health challenges and the importance of a healthy mind, body and soul for a functional society.
Prim shared her journey and how she had to reach out to seek help.
“I had a moment in which the overwhelming demands of an unhealthy working environment, family dynamics and life, crushed into me like waves at high tide. It completely swept me off my feet. I felt anxious, scared and lonely. Mainly scared, because the reality of not wanting to be here was greater than the fight I had in me to stay.
“In the middle of the chaos I had been going through and the battle between my heart and head, I managed to pluck up the courage and call my mother. No matter how old we get, we always need our mothers. I told her I found myself in a place where one or two things were going to happen. One, I was willing to voluntarily admit myself into an institution for self-care, or two, I take my own life.
“At this time I had a two-year-old daughter and had completely detached myself from my husband. It may sound dramatic, but it came to that point.
“With the love and support of my family, I made the commitment to stand in the power of my own truth. I resigned from the family business and made the conscious decision to be gentle on myself.”
According to Prim, it is only when we put on our oxygen mask that we are able to help those around us.
The members of SACBW Nelspruit support one another’s businesses as much as possible, to help them grow. They meet once a month.
For more information, contact SACBW at nelspruit@sacbw.org.