The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber recently hosted its Annual Ladies Breakfast event at the Running Waters Wedding and Conference Centre.
The event, which celebrated the achievements of businesswomen in the Nelson Mandela Bay area, featured an electrifying performance by Kariega’s Alvera De Vos-Hendricks that had all the ladies on their feet, dancing their lives away.
De Vos-Hendricks’ performance was one of the highlights of the event, captivating the audience with her soulful renditions of the legendary Whitney Houston’s greatest hits, and inspiring message. Her set was carefully curated to “convey a powerful message to the women in attendance, emphasising their value, importance, and worth as children of God,” the artist revealed. The crowd was fully engaged, singing along, dancing, and spreading love throughout the venue.
In addition to De Vos-Hendricks’ performance, the event was headlined by seasoned Financial Services Executive and former Miss South Africa, Peggy-Sue Khumalo. Khumalo, who was crowned the third black woman to win Miss South Africa in 1996, shared her impressive career journey and insights with the attendees.
At the event, Khumalo engaged in a conversation with Chamber Chief Executive Denise van Huyssteen, discussing her early days as Miss South Africa and her transition into a respected figure in the banking industry. Van Huyssteen expressed her excitement, stating, “The Chamber is privileged to have a guest speaker of Peggy-Sue’s calibre. She brings a wealth of knowledge and institutional experience from the banking industry both locally and abroad. We look forward to learning about her journey and the key insights she will share with local businesswomen.”
De Vos-Hendricks’, a member of the Andrews family, has been surrounded by music her entire life. Growing up in a family where singing was a way of life, she knew from a young age that music was her calling. “I grew up knowing music my whole life as the Andrews family is a singing family, and ever since birth, I knew that this is what I want to do,” she shared. Her journey began in Kariega, where she started singing at the tender age of eight. Her talent was nurtured by influential figures like the former staff at her school, Randall and Bonita George, who saw the potential in her and guided her through her early years.
Her journey has not been without its challenges – she faced the struggle of not being recognised as an artist and performer. However, her faith and perseverance paid off when she was signed by ZL Entertainment earlier this year. “Because God knew what He was doing, after my trying, praying, and working so hard, He opened the doors, and I was blessed with God-sent angels through ZL Entertainment who have signed me on as one of their artists,” she shared.
As a mother and wife, De Vos-Hendricks’ future looks bright. She is currently building her career throught ZL Entertainment, with a CD set to be released soon. “Lots of amazing things are busy happening, which I don’t want to mention now. The main goal is to become known in the industry and to inspire through song and let anyone know that your dream is valid and will come true. Just work hard and never give up,” she advised.
The Ladies Breakfast event, which sold out after just two days of the tickets going on sale, was a success, with De Vos-Hendricks’ performance and Khumalo’s inspiring talk leaving a lasting impact on all attendees.
