Shaking it up
Motivational event sparkles with humour
PHARREL Williams would have been happy to see about 100 women shake “what their momma gave them” to his song, Happy, on instruction from a motivational speaker at the Durban Jewish Club on Sunday last week.
The occasion was a Women’s Day event called With My Girls, hosted by etiquette and empowerment academy Face Value in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Chatsworth.
In addition to the pampering element associated with events of this nature — a mobile nail bar, skincare and body assessment, makeup counter and scented candles — the programme was diverse, inspiring and punctuated by humour.
Television presenter Stevie French ensured that formalities flowed smoothly with speakers sticking to their allotted times.
The academy’s Sasha Martin and Laréchia Parumaul and the Rotary Club’s Babs Pillay and Ansuya Moodley kicked off the first session.
Blogger and motivational speaker Sue Levy encouraged the women to always wear their invisible crown — as well as embrace and shake their booty to Happy.
She was followed by soapie actress and digital media activist Hayley Owen, who delivered an insightful and thought-provoking presentation on the dangers of digital media.
Chartered accountant and former Zululand tomboy Aneshree Naidoo, now a force in Jozi’s concrete jungle, inspired young and old with her success story and tips on “jigga-ing right and shia-ing the accelerator” to your potential.
The self-confessed hater of public speaking, stylist Amanda Stone, was the final speaker before lunch. Her presentation on style would have probably worked better with models than an audiovisual presentation.
During the second session, which I missed, the women got their kicks with a self-defence workshop and a beauty session.