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Whether it's your sister, your friend, your mother, a work colleague, boss, employee or your sister-in-law etc., we all know women who really brighten our day and ad immense value to our lives. This is your opportunity to nominate this outstanding woman and acknowledge her worth.
Please send your story to
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with 'Woman of the Moment Nomination' in the subject and tell us why you think she deserves to be recognised.
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BEV GREEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE GATEHOUSE
She has had huge impact on my life in terms of personal goals, missions & vision. I am humble yet steadfast, adventurous & passionate in my approach & lifestyle.
The Gatehouse is one of the few film & commercial production companies in SA owned and directed by a female. Bev has mastered the natural art of being a powerhouse, a woman of wisdom & humour. A sincere big sister to all her staff compliment whom she refers to as colleagues and a Godsend to the beneficiaries of the personal outreach initiative that she speaks of only when it’s time to plant a vegetable garden or repair a roof etc.
I have yet to meet a woman with such strength, determination, passion, intelligence and most importantly soul
These days I refer to her as the SA's Oprah.
Nominated by Adeliah Jacobs.
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BERNE JONKER
I would like to nominate Berné Jonker as my Woman of the Moment Nomination. Berné has overcome so many obstacles in her life even being hijacked, beaten, and robbed, she is always so encouraging to those around her, but the most amazing thing about her is her love and I mean absolute LOVE for people who are poor and found in squatter camps, and most of all Children from these ‘lost’ communities.
Berné can be found during the week and on Saturday mornings at squatter camps on the West Rand, handing out food and clothing, encouraging, teaching life skills, just loving these people and children who have been rejected by our society. She does it without complaining, without monetary reward, trusting that her family and friends will support her. The tears she cries are those of compassion and frustration at not being able to do more for them.
In short, Berné is not only a Woman of the Moment but of a lifetime.
Nominated by Barbara Heigan.
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CHANTEL OLIVER
I recently met Chantel and her husband on a trip to Cape Town. She works as director of a rape crisis centre in Cape Town and what most inspired me is what their business Bug Zoo is helping to do for woman in the local area. She herself had to work at the crisis centre the day I arrived from Florida, USA. You see, I've been importing their line and selling it here in the states. Her husband took me around to meet some of the African women who are working from their homes or locally in their townships to help make the Bug Zoo clothing line. It was such an experience for me to be able to go into these women's homes and local areas and meet them... see them actually making the clothing lines I sell here in the states.
By working from home, these women can save transport fees to/from the city as well as support themselves and their children. I learned about how the factories closed down and many women lost their jobs (all the women I met that day). It's these small local businesses in the area that are helping to make South Africa a better place to live. I just wish there were more like her out there.
Nominated by Robin Bengtson.
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ELIZABETH WEINER
My sister is my Woman of the Moment. I would like to honour and acknowledge her for her selflessness and perseverance. She has stood the test of time for holding her family together at the most trying times. Today her kids are good, caring citizens.
Liz earned my respect even more when she embarked on a journey of empowering herself with very little resources by getting a driver's license and buying her first car. I have witnessed her struggles, strengths and true emancipation!
Viva, Sister, Viva!
Nominated by Joy Lange.
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GLENDA TAYLOR
I would like to nominate my mom-in-law, Glenda, who was first diagnosed with cancer in December 2005. She underwent chemo and radiation and was in full recovery and remission and then suddenly in March 2007 this year they picked up cancer in her bowel. She has had 3 operations in total to help with her digestive system, she is very weak and has to start with chemo again to try and keep the cancer under control.
She is in her early sixties and has always been such a lively and outgoing, friendly person. I cannot understand how women always complain about their mother-in-laws, mine is just the best! We clicked from the first day and she welcomed me into her family with open arms. She is my best friend, my mother and my inspiration. Throughout all of this, she is staying positive and is more concerned about her family than herself. She is just the best woman I have ever known!
Nominated by Monique Deutschmann.
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PRISCILLA BHIKA
She runs a School of Fashion in Pietermaritzburg. Priscilla has been operating this business for 30 years, taught tons of students about dress design, helps the community in Pietermaritzburg and is very involved in the business world.
Nominated by Bunny Bhoola.
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SHARON HEUGH
I would like to nominate my sister Sharon Heugh who is just the most wonderful human being I know, a person who is genuine, honest, kind and filled with immense love and laughter even though times are really tough and the reason I say that is the following:
Two and a half years ago she lost her beautiful husband, Steve Heugh who was an SA pilot who flew internationally for SA Airways. He was an adventurous young man, who loved to climb mountains, bungi jump, paraglide, hanglide, etc. He was a pilot who also flew for the Smirnoff Spitfires and he was involved in a very bad plane accident about five years ago where he fought for his life. He was in intensive care for nearly two months and then in a back brace for a year suffering immense pain and Sharon ran that house with three children and an invalid husband who was in and out of hospital. He had to reapply for his pilot license in order to get back into flying for SA Airways as that was his life and passion and the way to earn money for his family.
The plane accident happened in Johannesburg so Sharon had to fly up to Johannesburg to be with Steve. My Mom had to look after her three small children in the week and other family members went in the weekend. She has Ryan who was five at the time and the twin girls, Megan and Lauren who were three at the time. It was very traumatic for her to sit at Steve’s bedside who was sedated most of the time because of the pain he was in and not knowing if he was going to survive or not. He fought for his life and came through and got back into flying again for SA Airways but he gave up the small plane flying because of the pain he put his family through. Sharon had written a journal every day so he could see what his family were feeling and experiencing while he was under sedation in hospital.
Two and a half years ago he was given the opportunity to fly small planes again and he was practicing for a wine auction above the Vergelegen farm and the Pharos plane dropped to the ground on the farm after losing both its wings.
She called me at work to let me know that Steve had been killed. I immediately went out to Somerset West to be with her and the children and to inform all his family who are all over the world. She had to go to the farm and see where the plane had crashed and they had marked off a huge area as the two body parts were spread over a huge area of the farm. In all that was happening she stayed strong and composed with such grace. She put a magnificent funeral together for Steve which was more of a wake and a celebration of his life. There were bottles of wine with his photograph and a quote of how he saw life. She did a slide show with all his favourite music from the time he was a little boy to his last photo with his back facing the camera and looking out at the beautiful ocean on a trip in Brazil. All the pilots came in their uniforms on the day of the funeral and the planes flew over to salute him. Sharon stood up at the funeral and spoke from her heart about her husband and how he celebrated life and was loved by so many and that his memory would live on with her and her children. She made it clear that she married Steve knowing he was a pilot and loved flying and she had no resentment that he flew again even though he nearly died the time before and knew what his family had been through. There was not a dry eye in the church! I was so proud of my sister.
Two weeks later my Aunt, my Dad’s sister who was like another mother to us died in my guest room and we had to bury her the next week. She came to the funeral and was so supportive. She then assisted me with winding down my Aunt’s estate and packing up her house which was a huge project. As a single Mom with three demanding children who are now eleven and nine she has managed to also move out of her house and buy a new place that was safer and closer to the children’s school. The house was renovated and interior decorated her new home and she managed that project so efficiently and now has a safe and magnificent home for herself and children.
The deal from the previous house fell through and the people did not move into the house and then her old house was vandalised. Even through all the hardship and tough times of doing everything herself she is always smiling, never says a bad word about anyone and stays positive all the time.
Even though she has so much on her plate she is involved on the hockey committee and plays hockey for the Somerset Women’s team. She is always helping friends, making costumes for the school play, assisting those in need, giving money, time and anything else she can. As a sister she is always there for me in every possible way and as a daughter and mother she is outstanding.
She is my little sister and as long as I have known her she is a shining light and wish there were more people like her in this world! I love her dearly!
Nominated by Jenny Strong.
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GLYNIS HUNTER
I would really like to nominate my Mother Glynis Hunter who does so much for others and ALWAYS puts others before herself.
I had a baby in March this year; we nearly lost him due to his lungs not being developed properly. My mother was my pillar of strength and she stands by her family and friends even strangers no matter what. She has also restored my faith in Jesus. Her faith is very strong. Both myself and others really admire her strength and determination to make this world a better place.
She is a widow and this month is the 3rd anniversary of my Step Father, Brian Hunter and I know that she needs all the love and courage she can get to get her through this rough time. As she has done so much for me and everyone else it would be a great honour to nominate her for "Woman of the Moment".
Nominated by Taryn Sladden.
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