Automotive Business Review September | Page 14

MISA NEWS MISA Women’s Forum Breakfasts offer something for everyone August is not only National Women’s Month in South Africa, but also marks the month in which the MISA Women’s Forum traditionally presents its August Day Breakfasts for women in the motor retail industry. “ W e seldom have the opportunity to treat and interact with our female members and therefore our Women’s Forum Breakfasts are a highlight on our Women’s Forum calendar,” says Martlé Keyter, MISA’s CEO Operations. The programme at each of these events offered something for everyone – from a thought-provoking presentation on HIV/Aids by Simphiwe Mabhele, the HIV/AIDS Technical Specialist at the ILO’s team for Decent Work for East and Southern Africa, insight into the newlyformed MISA Young Workers’ Forum, and the community projects run by the MISA Women’s Forum. This was followed by some lighter entertainment from the respective guest speakers and entertainers. In the Western Cape and Eastern Cape guest speaker Lynette Beer from Seeds of Inspiration shared her inspiring, enlightening, and entertaining secrets on different personality profiles and how to deal with them, while journalist, broadcaster and writer Benescke Janse van Rensburg shared her experiences with the guests at the Bloemfontein breakfast. The Natal Region welcomed radio personality, writer, and comic sensation Ben Voss to their function, while Gino Fabbri had the Northern Highveld Region’s ladies in stitches with his hilarious comic acts. The Cape Town breakfast also served as a Fundraiser for Huis Jabes, while Natal’s breakfast raised funds for Bobby Bear and Helping Paws. Guests at the Northern Highveld Region’s breakfasts all came armed with a voluntary “entrance fee” in aid of the Fred and Martie’s Soup Kitchen in Claremont. The 2014 MISA Woman of the Year will be announced at a gala event in November. “There are so many strong, inspirational women in the retail motor industry that do not always get recognised for their efforts and contributions,” says Martlé. “The MISA Women’s Forum and the MISA Woman of the Year Award are just two of the initiatives designed to support our female colleagues.” Growth Not only is MISA showing a steady growth, but the MISA Women’s Forum is growing in numbers – and in stature. “Our Regional teams are doing wonderful work in JOIN MISA AND their communities, EXPERIENCE PEOPLE and the breakfasts WHO REALLY CARE AND MAKE A are a way of DIFFERENCE. showcasing and highlighting these initiatives,” says Martlé. TRADE UNIONS ARE NOT ALL THE SAME ! MISA Woman of the Year Regional Finalists announced The current MISA Woman of the Year, Renee Ntshingila, shared some of her experiences of the past year, while the Regional Finalist for the 2014 MISA Woman of the Year was also announced at each breakfast. They are: Eastern Cape Region Karen Watson, CBF Motors, Humansdorp (Maritime Motors) Membership is open to all Office -, Stores -, “It is and Clerical Sales - also great to see that our MISA employees, Artisans Breakfasts grow in Women’s Forum and Apprentices in popularity each year. These events are the Motor Industry. not only a wonderful opportunity for MISA to treat our members, but also (011) 678 6328 for our members to get to know each (021) 551 2822 (031) 201 2710 fun environment. We hope to see even (041) 364 0102 more of our members there next year!” (051) 447 5339 other and network in an informal and Free State/Northern Cape Region Virna Potterton, Imperial GM, Bloemfontein Northern/Highveld Region Claire Bouwer, Kia Motors, Fourways Western Province Region Amanda Homan, Hyundai Automotive SA | words in action 12 THE INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE september 2014