WOMEN WHO MADE ME
Veteran Journalist Tanya Nefdt has been on our screens for over 16 years. Now she’s the Co-founder of the new multimedia platform Feel SA, which focuses on sharing positive local news. Here, she shares five women who’ve influenced her journey.
NERINA NEFDT, MY MOM
She’s my role model and my rst impression of a woman’s strength. Having raised children while working a fulltime job to provide for our family and running a home, my mom demonstrated from when I was young that a woman has superpowers and can take on so much with grace. She taught me not to be scared to take on challenges and always follow my dreams and passion.
Her relentless support and encouragement have continued throughout my life, and today she’s still my number one fan in everything I’ve achieved.
VANESSA NEFDT, MY SISTER
She’s more than a sister; she was also a mother gure to my brothers and me while our parents were working. But above all, she’s always been my best friend and condant. Throughout my life, Vanessa has been in my corner – from standing on the sidelines, cheering for me at sporting events to gathering all her friends to support me at music concerts when I played the piano. The rst time I went live on national television, she bought a new TV to host a viewing party for everyone to watch. To this day, she’s still my number one person.
NAOMI HERSELMAN
I met Naomi while working part-time at the V&A Waterfront information desk more than two decades ago. One day she swung by my desk, looking for advice on exciting things to do around Cape Town. I was eager to tell her. She came back later that day to tell me about her fantastic day, gave me her business card and, to my surprise, asked, “How’d you like to come and work for me?” She taught me so much. Most importantly, she always supported me and opened my eyes to a new exciting world: magazines.
KAREN ROTHSCHILD
I met Karen when I was working as the National Marketing Director for Sun International. I was in awe of this dynamic, easy-going, friendly woman. I thought, wow, I want to be like her one day – a strong female in a male-dominated industry. She offered me a position, trusting me to be a part of the opening team for Grandwest Casino and Entertainment World.
She was the most amazing boss, always pushing and encouraging me to try new things. After eight years of working together, she was not only my boss but my friend.
JACKI MCEWENPOWELL
I met this beautiful woman during my time at Sun International’s Grandwest Casino. She was so full of life with amazing ideas and I hung onto her every word. Years later, our paths have crossed and we’ve partnered on an exciting multi-media channel, Feel SA.