“Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength” - GD Anderson.

It’s no secret that women have had to work hard for their place in the working world and have had to overcome several obstacles over the years – not least of which has been this crazy new normal of lockdown, home-schooling, video conferencing, never-ending cycle of meetings and calls - where personal space and work-life seem to have morphed into one. But what all this change and discomfort has brought to light is that our purpose is something greater than us, greater than our single, individual journeys and that we can achieve more than we realise.

Working mom? You’ve got this!

“It feels good knowing that we are part of a company that makes such a difference.”

Being a working woman especially requires one to go above and beyond yourself. Multitasking while helping others and rising to daily challenges to achieve your goals and live out your purpose. At Capital Legacy, our mission is to Make the Loss of a Loved One Easier, and the women in our business have shown incredible tenacity and have been an absolute inspiration during these crazy times. We have seen women come together to help each other and our clients in the most determined and caring way. Khutso Sundhlane, one of the Financial Controllers at Capital Legacy, says that “It feels good knowing that we are part of a company that makes such a difference.”

As many of the influential women in Capital Legacy can attest to, by working alongside one another and embracing a change in routine and habits - women adjust and conquer each challenge lain before them. When asked what motivates her to keep working hard while adapting to the new normal, Gazelle Capazorio, National Manager of Facilities & Logistics, says “To make a meaningful difference every day and help take something off one of my colleagues’ plates to lessen their load - then I have made a difference”. Cloe Gentz, our Western Cape Regional Manager says, “My life is 100% better for the support I receive daily, and the amount of formidable woman I can rely on in every aspect, every day.”

It’s not easy wearing multiple caps, especially for working moms. Whether you’re a mom, an aunt, or a single working woman – regardless of where you are in your journey – it can be tricky to stay positive and motivated and still help carry those around you. It’s all worth it, though, when you see other women rise to the challenge. Sheri Meyer, National Manager – Booking Agents, offers this advice for bad days: “Pause. It’s okay to stop for a little while. The way you’re feeling on one of your worst days is the same way so many other people are feeling too. You are not alone in this – it’s ok to call on your people.”

Taking time to pause and celebrate achievements

“Our achievements can also uplift others to believe that anything is possible!”

August is Women’s Month and the 9th of August signifies National Women’s Day where we celebrate and acknowledge the economic, political, social, and cultural achievements of women from all walks of life.

Danyella Liebenberg, one of the Executive Manager’s at Capital Legacy, put it beautifully, “Women’s Day is essentially a day where we get to celebrate and reflect on the amazing things that women have achieved and continue to achieve and the uniqueness we bring to the table in doing so. It’s a reminder of the stereotypes women are breaking, the challenges we are overcoming and the glass ceilings we are shattering.”

Our achievements can also uplift others to believe that anything is possible! Let’s take Tatjana Schoenmaker, as an example. She recently won a gold medal for the 200-metre breaststroke at the Olympics. She, through years of discipline and unseen efforts, encouraged and raised a nation’s hopes, in only 2 minutes and 18.9 seconds. All her efforts, those we had the privilege of witnessing and those we didn’t, culminated into a win of epic proportions.

Have a vision and leave a legacy  

“A Will forms the basis of a blueprint for planning your legacy – and we often see that it’s the women’s influence in the home that drives getting the household affairs in order.”

Building a legacy is something that takes time. It’s like a long-term investment. Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the long-term goal. Defining your vision allows you to stay focussed on what it is you want to achieve and how to achieve the legacy you’ll leave behind. It’s the same reason Capital Legacy works so hard to help more South Africans get their Wills in place. Without a Will – legacies are lost.

A Will forms the basis of a blueprint for planning your legacy – and we often see that it’s the women’s influence in the home that drives getting the household affairs in order. It’s probably in our make-up or our instinctive nature to care and protect.

No matter what adversity or challenges you have faced over the last year, it’s vital to choose to rise to the challenge, overcome the obstacles and conquer the new normal. Choose to support one another, choose to grow, and protect the legacy you work at creating each day.

Let’s celebrate Women’s Day with all the vigour that this special day deserves.  As Riona Naiker, Estate Practitioner, so aptly put it: “It’s a day to celebrate what ordinary women in the past have done for the women of today. Let’s celebrate all women for their determination and courage. A reminder to stay strong and never give up.”

Written by Capital Legacy staff writer