Women’s Month

Women’s Day is an inspiring day on which we celebrate women empowerment. As incredible as the day is, there is still a lot of prejudice and discrimination in the work place when it comes to females. At Picup, we don’t view anyone as inferior or superior, whether it be their gender, race or sexual preference. We wanted to change the way in which we celebrate Women’s Day to inspire change within the work place and move towards a better work environment for women.
What we did
We started off by not only celebrating Women’s Day on one specific day but celebrating for an entire month. We had shirts made, which we felt promoted the strength of women and, on the last few days of August, we delivered these shirts to women who are involved with Picup. When we delivered them, we asked the women a few questions based on themselves, their work environment and their inspiration.
Why we did it
The reason for our leaving of the event for the end of August was to show that we not only celebrated Women’s Day, but celebrated Women’s Month. Having done this right before the 1st of September was also symbolic as the 1st of September is the first day of spring. Spring also marks a point of change and beautiful new things. We wanted our activation to fall just before this season to show that we are trying to mark a point of change for women in the workplace and help to empower them. We are in the twenty-first century and are a company which promotes equality. We are trying to break away from the prejudice of the past and create a future of equality for everyone.
Below are the women we interviewed and their amazing responses and stories.

Nikki Albertyn (right) and Karmen de Reuck (left) from LionHeart. Nikki and Karmen are the co-founders of LionHeart and have been friends since they were 3 years old.
“We are an all-girls team and the only men that help us out are Picup men. We have a really good relationship with Picup; they always help us out around here. The products are fragile and it’s great to have it delivered in one piece.”
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
Nikki: “A vet.”
Karmen: “A scientist. And now I am sort of doing it, just through baking.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
Nikki: “Be brave and don’t beat yourself up when you make mistakes.”
Karmen: “Don’t overthink it, just do it and think later.”
What female has inspired you and why?
Nikki: “My mom because she puts others before herself always; she has a big heart.”
Karmen: “Chrissy Teigen. She goes against the way society has perceived women to be, she is super quirky and funny and she is alternative in the way that she lives. I also like that she can be silly and isn’t afraid to do what she wants.”

Claudia Valensky (right) is the Finance Manager for Formula D interactive and Carmelita Valensky is the Procurement Manager.
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
Claudia: “A movie Star.”
Carmelita: “Anything in the entertainment business.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
Claudia: “Be yourself. Wherever you go, take as much advise as you can from people around you and use it as stepping stones for your life.”
Carmelita: “Empower yourself. It doesn’t matter how small it is, get yourself on board and utilise it to make yourself and the people around you better.”
What female has inspired you and why?
Claudia: “My best friend Charlene. When I met her, I wasn’t into meeting people but she has brought me out of my shell and I am now more outgoing and more vocal than before.”
Carmelita: “My mom because she was a single parent. Because my dad died when we were young and she raised 4 children. You can’t top that; you can only learn from that.”

Melanie Ohlsson has been with Le Bonbon Confection for 1 year and is their Procurement Assistant.
“Everyone is so close, like at Picup, everyone is a family here too.”
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“I wanted to be a waitress. My main goal was serving people and helping someone else.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“First of all, today women are more empowered, but in the work place people still see women as weak and they are overly controlled. You must be strong, be yourself and don’t let people bother you.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“My mother. She is my rock; I go to her for everything and anything. She is just a strong and wise women and I want my daughter to be like her. I am following through with the same values which she taught me.”

Claire Cafun — Customer Service and Operations Manager for Cybercellar.com.
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“A forensics psychologist.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“It is tough and you need to continually stand your ground and not let people stereotype you. You need to remain who you are, always be humble and always be willing to work hard.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“Melanie Van Der Bank from Aramex. She works so hard. She has two toddlers, comes home every night and still looks after her family and then wakes up early to go to work again. Her work is demanding and she is still moving up. For me to see her run such a smooth work life and home life is very inspiring.”

Ziyanda Mbulawa is the Customer service agent for Cybercellar.com and has been since February.
“I studied chemical science. This is just a stepping stone for me. My family is in the Eastern Cape so, until I get to the place I want to be, I am doing this and working my way up.”
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“I dreamt of being an accountant.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“Have backup, go to school and take any job until you get to the place that you want to be.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“Gabriella Union. She is strong, fearless and she has an amazing voice.”

Suné De Lange — Cybercellar.com’s Marketing Coordinator
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“I wanted to be a writer.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“Know your rights. Because I have experienced issues where I didn’t and, luckily, the people at work saw what happened and informed me. Don’t be afraid to use your rights because they are there to be used. Have confidence in what you studied because they prepare you and that is your backbone when you start working. You must have confidence. I have thought something so often without saying it and then someone else will say it. When you just enter, you are young, but you are an adult so don’t feel as if you are undervalued.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“It isn’t a specific female. Women who you can see are entirely comfortable with themselves and fulfil their potential and who can stand their ground.”

Simonè Doyle — Creditor’s Clerk at Cybercellar.com.
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“A criminologist (criminal psychology)”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“Be yourself, don’t try to adapt to other people and lose who you really are just because of work.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“My mother. She has been a single mother since I can remember and that is one of the major things that made me independent. The TV would break and she would fix plugs and wires. She never really needed a man.”

Nicole Petersen — Procurement at Cybercellar.com.
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“A teacher or doctor”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“Women sometimes say you need to take a little bit of a step back when it comes to working with men in the workspace and that men are superior. Don’t take that step back. You can also be in charge and be the boss. It isn’t just fit for men and don’t let anyone make you think you can’t become the boss.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“Myself, not for where I am in my life right now, but because I know that I always stand my ground and stand for what I believe. I always make a point of being heard.”

Rowena Frenchman — IT Project Manager at Cape Union Mart.
“Being in a male-dominated industry can be hard. I have had instances where I would go to a meeting and the men would think that I was there to get them drinks. They also don’t always engage with me because I am a woman.”
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“I wanted to be an astronaut. I lay upside down on my bed staring at the stars. I was mostly fascinated with the space suits though.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“Dress for the job that you want and always show up. Be consistent. Always cover yourself.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“My aunt, June. She has had various roles from sales to hairdressing and even a karate instructor. She decided to become a house wife and then started writing. She has now published three books. She always gives great advice like: “If you have to miss out on sleep to not miss an opportunity, do it.” She is very motivating she always gives facts, never beating around the bush.”

Sherri-Lynn Corbello — Business Analyst at Cape Union Mart.
“I have been with Cape Union Mart for one year and one month. You feel cared for and looked after and people actually care about you. You aren’t just a number. Everyone greets everyone.”
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“I wanted to be a vet or a ballet dancer. But then I found out that you have to cut into an animal if you are a vet.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“I entered a very male-dominated industry and I was the only women in the team. It can be intimidating but you need to be confident and not be intimidated or undermined. You also need to see how men do things; there is no bitchiness. They agree to disagree and then just move on. Women tend to hold onto things and hold grudges. Don’t be intimidated by people older than you. Being humble goes a long way. You may not be the best anymore even though you may have been in class, when you were a student.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“The women that I have interacted with over my lifetime. People who have sacrificed a lot to put their children through school. Like my mom and inspirational teachers.”

Ronel Straughan — Director and Property Attorney at Straughan Inc.
“I didn’t find starting a new business too hard as I continued with what I had done before. What I love about Picup is that it is fast and responsive and you interact with people you get to know. I can top up my account instantly. The system is seamless. I use it for my personal stuff and business. It is a door to door business people can actually come inside, right to you. Our businesses launched at the same time and I think it is great that Picup is expanding so much.”
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“I wanted to work overseas doing something with languages; translation perhaps.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“There is no glass ceiling. Your career will respond to the choices you make.”
What female has inspired you and why?
As a student I worked with Eleanor Finlayson on Hartenberg Estate. She was the doyenne of the Finlayson families still in wine in the Cape. She taught me about wines, but about much more. She was the strongest and most empowered woman I knew and I still want to be like her when I grow up.

Johanna Mogatliwe — Office Clerk at Straughan Inc.
“I started looking after Ronel’s children with her. I couldn’t finish my schooling and I started going to night school to finish my education. I even gave the valedictory speech. I then started cooking and I am now at chef school and work in Ronel’s business.”
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“I wanted to sing.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“Keep on dreaming and never give up. Tomorrow will come.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. She fought the struggle and was an amazing woman.”

Kaymin Ormerod — Candidate Attorney at Straughan Inc.
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“I wanted to be a vet. Until I found out that you have to put animals down sometimes.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“To really hold a sense of self confidence and self-worth, especially with women in the work place. A lot of the time, people don’t take you as seriously and you have to fight to show that you belong here but you never actually have to think that way. Just believe that you need to be there and that it will help with propelling you through the work place. It is easy to let things eat away at you so make sure you don’t let that happen.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“My mother. She has five degrees and a PHD she practically raised me single-handedly and lives an incredibly balanced life with a career and a family. I have always admired the way she has brought me up and the way she helped me think. It is amazing how she has created a reality which is so far from where she originally started.”

Dr. Carita McCallum — Leadership Development Specialist at Keystone Coaching (Pty) Ltd.
“I did my doctorate in Psychology of Black Women Empowerment. I did a study about how professional women think that they have to be extremely intellectual but you just have to bring your own unique qualities to the work place because that is what makes you different.”
What did you want to be when you were a little girl?
“I wanted to make a difference. I was always listening to my friends’ problems. I taught my younger brother how to read and write before he went to school and, ultimately, I became a coach and now do leadership coaching.”
What advice can you give to young women entering the work space?
“They mustn’t think that they are any less than a male professional. Ask many questions and maintain an attitude of curiosity. People aren’t born knowing everything.”
What female has inspired you and why?
“My mother did because she was actually my athletics coach. I was a hurdler. I started as a life coach then small business coaching and now do big corporate coaching. She taught me the lesson to never give up and also to never compare yourself to other people. It’s like that ad where Kara Delavigne told people “don’t be me”.
This was an amazing first run of Women’s Month and, in the future, we aim to do even better things to celebrate women. There are great things to come and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.

