Kouga Municipality held its inaugural Power(ful) Woman event with the 2022 winner, as well as public choice winner, announced at a gala event at The Woods, near Humansdorp, on August 25.
Sam Huisamen was chosen as the winner with Githe-Merét Hancke Koertzen being awarded the public choice award.
To learn more about the winners and the plans they have for the Kouga region, the Kouga Express asked both women questions about themselves.
Describe yourself in a nutshell:
I am the proud owner of Smashed Professional Beauty, with an entrepreneurial spirit that uses her skills and experience to cultivate, encourage and help others on their journey to become successful, independent, and spiritually sound so that they can use their influence to pay it forward.
Describe the community work you do in Kouga?
I have a heart for the community and love to give where I can, whether it be fixing and beautifying walkways, hosting workshops to equip and build other’s confidence, helping those in need with food parcels and helping other local businesses start up. My list could go on and on.
Most recently, I have started hosting events with local businesses in town, to allow them to network and socialise with influential people. I believe that if more people can get together and help just a little bit, we could make a bigger and better difference in Kouga.
What more are you going to do for the community after the competition?
With the support and assistance of the Kouga Municipality and Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, I would like to get involved in more projects to make Kouga a better place. I would also like to encourage our younger people and students to get involved, to uplift and to be an example to others by doing good.
Let us help our elderly; let us encourage the young and let us get into the community where we can make positive changes and a big difference. With the help of my fellow powerful women, we can bring a powerful change if we all stand together.
What is your motto for other women?
Your past does not dictate your future, instead let it fuel you to build the life you want to have. With everything that you do, always do it out of love because love always wins. All the candidates have won because Kouga is made up of all the small acts of kindness from all the nominees.
Describe yourself in a nutshell?
I see myself as a chameleon woman. Sometimes I am a strict mother, meek animal caretaker, strict employer, squeamish friend, the impatient daughter, and I am my own slave driver. All these characteristics are interwoven in my womanhood for my husband.
Describe the community work you do in Kouga?
I believe that one should do one’s heart’s work in the background, away from everyone’s eyes – quiet and composed, but with conviction and determination. I am involved in different projects, but especially have a vision and mission to help make people’s dreams come true.
I often help launch special public events, which range from doing make-up free for a young woman celebrating her matric farewell, to ensuring that large events such as conferences, church camps, weddings, concerts performances and children’s parties are run smoothly. I always try to do something extra or special for those involved. I am also involved in a primate rescue centre, which is very close to my heart.
Furthermore, I have a strong compassion for ordinary people in crisis, from calling an ambulance to helping people experiencing personal crises. I believe I can be instrumental in times of crisis, and this is also the reason why I have ended up in the strangest situations.
What more are you going to do for the community after the competition?
I am still available to anyone experiencing a crisis and I will continue my outreach to deserving projects. As far as our business community is concerned, I hope that our Kouga powerful women group will be able to work together to make a positive contribution to the Kouga environment.
Being able to add value to a single person’s life will ultimately lead to a better society. I believe that all businesses should support each other and rather work together and specialise, than constantly compete against each other. I plan to get involved in projects that benefit the wider community of Kouga and be instrumental in the process of getting homeless and mentally challenged people receive the necessary assistance without hassle at an institution.
I also plan to alleviate the plight of disabled children, especially children who have Down’s syndrome. The safety and social conditions of children is a very important matter to me. I believe that we should join hands with local councillors and work together to address problem areas in our community.
What is your motto for other women?
My list is very short and powerful: See and do. Unfortunately, I get impatient with endless meetings and talking about projects. For me, intervening in problem situations is of the utmost importance. Lastly, accept both compliments and criticism. It takes both sun and rain for a flower to grow.
