JHB South East - May 2022

Westhuizen, Natasha Joubert and local
TikTok stars Mr & Mrs Big Bite.’
Hard work pays off
Tandi has worked since age 16 and
loved every aspect of business. Being
born into a home with her mum
and dad’s strong business influences
shaped her into a driven and
hard-working person.
‘I have been in management roles
since I was 19. I have also lived in
London for seven years, where I was a
buyer for Harrods. I have experience
in various fields and my greatest skill
is to improve systems and processes.
I am passionate about helping small
businesses flourish, and social media is
a great way to achieve this.
‘I also love helping develop women
and mentoring them to be the best
they can be.’
She is also a marketing partner for
SOJO Business Tourism with a passion
to promote business and tourism in
the South.
When you are
going through a
tough time, just
remember that it
passes so quickly
‘We have just completed our first
Thaba Eco Challenge, a SOJO charity
event at Thaba Trails with partners Balwin
Properties and Group 1 Nissan The
Glen. We aim to grow this into a large
annual event for the South.
‘Can I say working is my hobby? My
work is very creative and I really get to
flex my artistic muscles.
‘I am also partnering with Dr Tshegofatso
Mathe to host Mrs Soweto, a
female empowerment programme
with a focus on charity and tourism
in Soweto. This will be launched in
September.’
When asked about challenges in her
job, she immediately said ‘time’.
‘I know many women have the same
problem, as we try to take on so many
roles. I am still working on overcoming
this. I also know when I say yes to
something, I am saying no to something else. In my case, that is generally
precious family time. These days I do think more carefully before agreeing to
every project.’
Highest accolades
‘My biggest achievement was winning the Chairman’s Award for Excellence at
Harrods. This was awarded to me by Mohamed Al Fayad, who owned Harrods at
the time, and it was an incredible feeling to be acknowledged for my work. It also
gave me the confidence to believe in my abilities.
‘I was extremely honoured to be made a board member of Dignity Dreams
NPO. Charity work has always been close to my heart and I was overwhelmed
with gratitude to be welcomed on the board, where I could make a tangible
difference.’
Dignity Dreams is a charity that provides menstrual health education to young
women and girls and washable sanitary pads that last up to four years.
‘That means when you buy a dignity bag, you are directly impacting a girl’s life
and keeping her in school for up to four years. This is why this charity is so important
and impactful.
‘And while at it, I may as well ask for help. It is so easy for you to help. Dignity
Dreams is a beneficiary of the My School Card programme. Every swipe counts
and it doesn’t cost you a cent. You can link your Woolies My Rewards card or your
Builders Warehouse card to it and Dignity Dreams will benefit from the monthly
donations from every swipe.
‘Please visit www.dignitydreams.com for details on how to make a donation or
set up a debit order.’
She is also a firm believer that when you turn the focus from your own daily
struggles to those in real need, it will add perspective and will give great meaning
to your life.
‘Nothing fills you with more joy than making a difference, however small, in
someone’s life. It is very rewarding and can really impact both their lives and
yours.’
Being mum, wife and business owner
Already admitting she does not have much time, one can’t but to ask how she
juggles family time and work time.
‘I think you can only juggle a busy career and family life with the support of your
family. I am very blessed with my incredibly wonderful and supportive husband,
Stephen, who is happy to jump in and cook dinner or do bedtime tuck-ins if I am
busy with a deadline. Our boys also understand that owning your own business
means you don’t just work from 9am to 5pm.
‘Then it is also very important to me that we sit at the kitchen table and eat
dinner together every night so that we have that connection time every day. It
is a daily balancing act though to make sure I give equal focus to both family
and work.
‘I also feel it is important to nurture your marriage by having time alone with your
husband. We try to go away together or just have a date night.’
Treasuring family time means the Potgieter’s garage in their family home in Eye of
Africa Golf Estate turns into an indoor theatre because Fridays are fun days when
they do family movie and pizza night.
‘Alex loves to go to the park and we (mostly hubby) take him to a different park
in the estate every weekend. Oh, and we would love to walk on the trails in our
estate more often than we do. Does once count?’ she asked laughingly.
As if life is not busy enough, she went on telling us she has recently discovered a
passion for creating balloon sculptures and paper flowers.
‘I love to make sure every occasion is beautiful. I also dabble in a bit of DIY and
started my own YouTube channel – TanDIY.’
What does motherhood mean to you?
‘I am so grateful for my boys, Brandon, Sean and Alex, and they really give my life
meaning and joy. The most important thing for me about motherhood is that my
children feel loved, seen and heard.
‘My biggest piece of advice for mothers is to enjoy the little moments. When you
are going through a tough time, just remember that it passes so quickly. You will
miss that cry in a few years or your child nagging you for attention.’
Text: CARINA VAN DER WALT. Photo: CANDICE ARAUJO PHOTOGRAPHY. Hair: COLLEEN AT CLASSY VIBES HAIR & BEAUTY SALON
May 2022 Get It Joburg South • Alberton • Bedfordview • Greenstone • Modderfontein 13
GIS0506_012_1148748759.indd 13 2022/04/21 08:10:35