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As South Africa marks Women's Month, some of the country's most recognisable women are encouraging others to celebrate themselves, support one another and embrace the unique strengths that make them who they are.
As South Africa celebrates Women's Month, four remarkable South African women, broadcaster and author Carol Ofori, actress, entrepreneur and Tropika Island Of Treasure contestant Leandie du Randt, Jacaranda FM radio personality Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp, and dancer and creative Courtnaé Paul, are sharing the lessons that have shaped their lives.
Their words aren't about having all the answers. They're reminders to slow down, trust yourself, embrace your uniqueness and remember that success looks different for every woman.
Leandie du Randt: Stop Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else
Actress, entrepreneur and Tropika Island of Treasure contestant Leandie du Randt believes one of the greatest gifts a woman can give herself is permission to be exactly who she is. "Always show up as yourself. Don't compare yourself to anyone else because God has made you you for a reason, and there is no one who can bring to this world what you can."
She also hopes Women's Month inspires more women to champion one another instead of competing. "Women need to continue supporting other women. We are multitaskers, empaths, leaders. We can be soft but also incredibly strong, and that's something worth celebrating."
Her message is simple: collaboration will always achieve more than competition. "Let's keep standing together in collaboration over competition."
Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp: You Can't Build Tomorrow If You Don't Love Yourself Today
For Jacaranda FM presenter Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp, Women's Month offers more than a celebration. It's an opportunity to pause, reflect and reset. "I always ask myself: What do I still want to achieve this year? But I also take time to appreciate just how far I've come."
Whether balancing a broadcasting career, motherhood or everyday life, she believes women should spend less time criticising themselves and more time acknowledging their own growth. "One can't work on your better future self by not loving the one that you have today."
She believes self-love isn't selfish; it's essential. "No one becomes better in the future if they don't like what they're working with right now. Love yourself now so that you can work on your future self in a loving and beautiful way," the Jacaranda FM presenter continues.
Afrika-Bredenkamp also encourages women to keep giving generously. "We can't give with a closed hand, so open your hand so that you can give to others. From my experience, everything I give always comes back."
B-Girl, DJ and choreographer Courtnaé Paul believes the women who change the world are rarely the ones who follow the expected path. "Happy Women's Day to the women who colour outside the lines. The ones who challenge expectations, create opportunities where none exist, and remind us that progress has never come from playing it safe," Courtnaé says.
She celebrates women who continue to ask difficult questions, support one another and redefine what leadership looks like. "Today, we celebrate your resilience, your ambition and your willingness to leave the world better than you found it."
Her closing thought feels like the perfect Women's Month mantra: "Keep colouring outside the lines. That's where the magic happens."
Carol Ofori: Give Yourself the Same Grace You So Freely Give Others
For award-winning broadcaster and author Carol Ofori, strength isn't about pretending to have it all together. "Strength isn't only found in surviving hard seasons or going through tough times," she says. "Strength lies in giving yourself grace when you've made a bad decision or a mistake."
She believes women often become experts at forgiving everyone except themselves. "Strength lies in forgiving yourself, laughing, choosing yourself in situations, resting without guilt and choosing peace instead of trying to make everybody else happy."
While accountability remains important, Ofori says women should remember that being imperfect doesn't make them weak. "You deserve the same grace that you give every other person that's hurt you or done wrong to you. You're human, and you're allowed to make mistakes."
Although their journeys are different, the message these four women share is remarkably similar: Be kinder to yourself, stop measuring your success against someone else's, support other women, embrace change, even when it feels uncomfortable and never let your current circumstances convince you that they define your future, because Women's Month isn't only about celebrating the women who inspire us. It's also about reminding every woman that her own story, exactly as it is today, is still being written.
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