Motherhood is a powerful force. It teaches resilience, compassion, and how to lead with heart. For many of the women in the FURTHER community, being a mother isn’t separate from their entrepreneurial journey – it’s central to it. This Mother’s Day, we honour five women who are raising families, building businesses, and leading movements that uplift others. We asked them to answer one meaningful question and their reflections speak volumes about the deep, everyday power of motherhood and impact.
Glenda – Founder, Baking Academy & Agripreneur
“Family isn’t just blood — it’s business, community, and connection.”
We wanted to know how Glenda weaved family values into her company culture or community work. For Glenda, family values are the foundation of everything she does. As a wife and mother, she carries the values of nurturing, support, and perseverance into both her business and her community work. “In my business, I foster an environment that mirrors the warmth and unity of a family,” she says. “Whether it’s through mentorship, encouragement, or offering affordable programmes to uplift aspiring entrepreneurs, I strive to make everyone feel valued and empowered.”
Her journey started with a passion for baking, which blossomed into a cake business and then evolved into a QCTO-accredited academy. There she now offers full qualifications and skills programmes at affordable rates to help people build sustainable livelihoods.
But her work doesn’t stop at the classroom. Glenda is also an agripreneur, working with local farmers to turn excess produce into products that fight food waste and support local economies. One of her proudest initiatives is the transformation of butternut into gluten-free flour. This project supports small businesses and reflects her values of sustainability, collaboration, and resilience.
“Ultimately,” she says, “I believe that family extends beyond blood. It’s about building connections, supporting one another, and leaving a lasting impact.”
Itumeleng – SAB Foundation
“I want my daughters to see what it means to build a better nation.”
We asked Itumeleng, “If your child could visit your workplace for a day, what impact milestone would you be proudest to show them – and why?” Her response didn’t disappoint. If Itumeleng’s children visited her workplace, she’d proudly show them the stories of transformation behind every social innovator she supports at the SAB Foundation. These are the entrepreneurs creating real change by increasing access to healthcare, education, food security, and so much more for South Africa’s most underserved communities.
She hopes to inspire her daughters not just by what she says, but by the example she sets. “As we elevate social innovators on their journeys, I encourage my daughters to pick up the baton and contribute positively to society, aspiring to build a better nation for everyone.”
Her vision is bold but clear: A sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future. “Every effort matters,” she says. “And together, we can turn ambitious ideas into impactful realities.”
Bathabile – STEM Educator & Entrepreneur
“Science is actually not hard — we just need to show that to our learners.”
From Bathabile, we wanted to know when she first realised that her impact was reaching beyond her home and into her community, and she remembered the exact moment. A learner from a disadvantaged school turned to her after doing science experiments together and said, “Science is actually not hard.” That single sentence captured everything she was working toward – changing mindsets and unlocking confidence in learners who had never seen themselves as scientists. “As a mother we strive to develop confidence in our children, in my case I have the joy of extending that to young scientists across the country.” For Bathabile, impact looks like, “from something intimidating into something playful, possible, and powerful, whether at home or in the classroom.”
Yamkela – Communications Strategist
“The moment I know I’m redefining balance? It’s Tuesday ice cream dates.”
Yamkela’s story isn’t one of grand moments – it’s about the everyday choices that make motherhood feel whole again. “Honestly? It’s not the big headline moments. It’s the tiny ones – the in-between stuff that used to get lost in the hustle,” she says.
Whether it’s taking her child to a doctor’s appointment without asking for permission, or enjoying a quiet bedtime story on a Sunday night without the “Sunday scaries,” she’s chosen a life where motherhood is central, not squeezed in. “I’m redefining work–life balance by putting ‘Mom’ at the top of my CV and shouting it from every Zoom call, WhatsApp group, and LinkedIn post.”
Her message is simple and strong: “Before all else, I am a mother. And that is the title I wear with the most pride.”
Randy – Social Impact Leader
“My real superpower? Getting up and trying again.”
Randy calls her mom superpower the art of multitasking, planning, and resting. But there’s one more she wears with pride: Perseverance. “Leading an organisation and being a mother is very challenging,” she says. “But with the necessary support of family and my superpowers, I am able to consistently show up for my children, even if at times I fall off the wagon.”
She’s honest about how messy and overwhelming the journey can be, but also fiercely proud of her ability to keep showing up. “Actually, I think that’s my superpower – trying over and over again to show up for my children every day. Because WOW… It can get messy. But we do it anyway.”
To All the Mothers in Our Community
This Mother’s Day, we honour the women in our FURTHER community who are raising children and driving impact – sometimes all at once, often with grace, and always with heart.
Thank you for the care, courage, and consistency you bring to your families, your ventures, and your communities. You are building a better future in more ways than you know.
