More than 300 female entrepreneurs, innovators and community builders gathered at this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) event at Nederburg Wines in Paarl on 7 March to draw inspiration and valuable life lessons from media owner and television presenter, Ingrid Jones, who presented a masterclass, #DalaWhatYouMust (do what you must do).
The event, which was hosted by Ju’Al Inc. and Mikateko Media, also featured Desireé Johnson, MD of Mikateko Media, who highlighted the importance of job creation and making a social impact.
Sharing lessons from her own life story, Ingrid turned the spotlight on gender-based violence and called on women to reflect on their life stories.
“I’m not here to talk about entrepreneurship and how to brave the boardroom. Women’s Day is not Mothers’ Day; it’s not Valentine’s Day and neither is it Workers’ Day. It’s a day to get acquainted with ourselves. To ask ourselves who we are. Who do I see when I look in the mirror? Am I a true sister? Who am I? Once you know who you are, you can be anything,” she said.
Ingrid also hosted a panel discussion with other associates who are trendsetters in their respective fields of business, media, fashion and philanthropy, namely, comedian Marc Lottering; Marc Jacobs, co-founder of Vannie Kaap; Jacky Goliath, co-founder of Defynne Nursery; fashion designer Hugo Flear; entrepreneur Nwabisa Mayema; and Elsabé van Zyl-Félix of SPAR Western Cape.
Ingrid concluded the masterclass by leading a demonstration outside the venue, during which the women created posters with slogans to voice their feelings in response to gender-based violence.