Women's Day Event

ABOUT

Amidst the challenges of the hard lockdown in 2020, MicDrop was born as a beacon of light, hope, and connection. Inspired by the vision of Michelle and Gadifele, two passionate souls who believed in the power of community, we set out to create a space for creators, innovators, dreamers, and lifelong learners. And now, we are back, ready to embark on an exhilarating journey of growth and inspiration!

Step into a World of Empowerment and Celebration at Morningside Country Club this Women's Day - 9th August 2023!

On the 9th of August 2023, a historic day that commemorates the remarkable women's march of 1956, Micdrop and Morningside Country Club will be hosting an extraordinary Women's Day event. Join us as we pay homage to the courageous spirits who paved the way for change, and celebrate the indomitable strength and beauty of South African women!

Unite in the Spirit of Empowerment: This Women's Day is all about embracing the power within and uplifting one another. Prepare to be captivated by an exceptional lineup of speakers who will share their inspiring stories on women's empowerment and motherhood. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and encouraged to conquer your dreams fearlessly.

Experience an extraordinary lineup of empowering speakers who will ignite your passion, motivate your dreams, and unleash the power within you.

Tara Williams: Igniting the Spark: Sex and Intimacy After Childbirth

In a world where women's concerns about this topic often go unvoiced due to its sensitivity or taboo status, Tara fearlessly dives into the heart of the matter. Together, we will unravel the reasons surrounding why we lose interest in sex post-birth and while breastfeeding. But don't expect the typical "contraceptive" conversation that fizzles out after six weeks. Tara is here to push boundaries, normalize tough discussions, and guide us on a shared journey through the postpartum period.

Tara is not just your average perinatal yoga specialist, doula, and coach; she is a passionate advocate for expecting parents, guiding them to trust and understand their bodies through movement, mindfulness, and evidence-based information.

As a mother of three, Tara's care extends beyond her professional expertise. She brings her invaluable experience as a mother to the table, adding an extra layer of understanding and compassion to her work as a birth professional.

Tara's areas of focus include physiological birth, perinatal mental health, and lactation.

Michelle McCarter: Self-Care for Mothers: Nurturing the Nurturer

Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. With a Bachelor of Education and Honours in Psycho-Educational Support, she has spent 10 incredible years as a teacher, covering a wide range of subjects and age groups from Grade 1 to Grade 11.

The arrival of Michelle's daughter marked a significant turning point in her life. She made the heartfelt decision to resign from teaching and dedicate quality time to her child's early development. This period proved transformative, igniting Michelle's love for Early Childhood Development and shaping her future path.

As a Learning Support Specialist, Michelle continued to contribute part-time until March 2020. However, it was during the lockdown in 2020 that she and her daughter embarked on an incredible venture together, creating "Fun Learning with Lea." Through social media, they shared engaging ideas and activities, laying the foundation for their thriving business.

Their entrepreneurial journey skyrocketed as they expanded into selling sensory kits for kids, educational toys, products, and games. In 2021, Michelle furthered her expertise by completing the Infant Massage Instructor Course with the International Association of Infant Massage. This accomplishment enabled her to offer Stimulation Classes for Caregivers & Little ones, along with Baby Massage Classes.

Never one to stop learning, Michelle pursued additional qualifications in 2022. She completed the Tummy Time Practitioner course with a UK-based Occupational Therapist, enabling her to offer a unique and comprehensive Tummy Time Course at The Play Studio.

To fulfill her vision, Michelle opened The Play Studio, funlearningwithlea at Rustic Timber on Witkoppen Road in May 2022. This charming boutique studio offers a plethora of classes and activities for babies, children, parents, and nannies.

Of all her passions, Michelle holds a special place in her heart for maternal mental health and support. Understanding the challenges faced by mothers struggling to conceive and those who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, she is committed to providing solace and guidance to these incredible women.

Michelle Dos Santos: Embracing the Strength of Single Working Mothers.

Michelle is a true inspiration, with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Early Childhood Development space. As a mother of three boys, she embarked on an incredible journey at the young age of 19 when she decided to open her own creche. From there, Michelle co-founded a corporate ECD center at Siemens corporate office, providing support for working parents striving for a healthy work-life balance.

Throughout her career, Michelle has made significant contributions to the field of early childhood education. She serves as the head of teacher training at Earlybird Educare, where she passionately trained over 100 staff members, setting the stage for growth and excellence within the organization. Earlybird Educare, under her guidance, flourished from a single center to multiple centers in prestigious locations such as Siemens, ABSA, FNB/RMB, The Parks, and Carlswald.

Michelle's remarkable journey isn't just limited to professional achievements. She has successfully balanced the roles of being a single mom, a business owner, and a corporate professional, all while raising three teenage sons. Her ability to adapt and thrive during different phases of motherhood is truly remarkable.

During our Women's Day event, Michelle will share her personal story, focusing on the delicate balance between work and motherhood, especially when it comes to supporting mothers with teenagers. Her insights and experiences will undoubtedly provide invaluable guidance to all the mothers in our community who are navigating this exciting yet challenging phase of parenting.

Colleen Larsen: Gender Mainstreaming: Paving the Path to Equality

Get ready to be inspired by Colleen Larsen, CEO of Business Engage: https://www.businessengage.africa/ and a leading voice in gender mainstreaming.

As the first chairperson of SAWEN, Colleen shaped the national strategy for women entrepreneurs, driving positive change for SMMEs. Her work has been groundbreaking!

In 2005, Colleen founded Business Engage, an innovative organization spearheading gender mainstreaming in the private sector. Her vision has empowered countless women in business.

Colleen's impact reaches far beyond South Africa. She launched the Gender Mainstreaming Awards: https://www.genderawards.com/ , showcasing the power of women's representation in business. The event attracts thousands of attendees both in person and online.

Leading by example, Colleen is the President of the 30% Club Southern and East Africa, advocating for more women on boards. Diversity makes undeniable business sense!

Accredited by the ILO, Colleen conducts gender audits and is an esteemed expert in women's entrepreneurship. Her expertise has shaped policies and empowered women globally.

Colleen's achievements speak for themselves: finalist in influential awards, Fellow of the Institute of Directors, and author of empowering books like "Guidelines for Mastering Effective Corporate Decision-Making" and "Gender Matters."

Onicah Masangane: Overcoming Perfectionism and getting to a decision-making position

As a Transformational Speaker for public servants, she believes in the power of an entrepreneurial mindset to elevate the public sector and deliver 5-star service excellence.

With over 21 years of dedicated service in various governmental departments, including the South African Police Service, Department of Land Affairs, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, Department of Education, and the City of Johannesburg Municipality, Onicah's experience in the public sector is unparalleled.

Holding a Master of Business Leadership and a Degree in Human Resource Management, she is on her way to achieving her Ph.D. Additionally, Onicah is a recognized Master Human Resources Professional by the South African Board of People Practices (SABPP) and a member of the Institute of Directors South Africa.

Passionate about empowering the next generation, she serves as the President of North Riding Toastmasters and is a certified Neuro Linguistic Programming coach. Onicah dedicates her time to coaching youth graduates and professionals aspiring to be in decision-making positions, as well as mentoring women in their corporate journey.

Above all, Onicah is a loving mother of two, which fuels her determination to make a difference in people's lives and improve her country.

Rima Khawaja: The challenges that teens go through and how parents can support them and speak to them

Rima is not just a copywriter but also a psychology student at WITS, making her a powerhouse of both creativity and knowledge. Ever since she was young, she has had a passion for words and the incredible impact they can have when woven together.

To Rima, writing is an art, and she sees it as a way to ignite emotions and create a unique atmosphere for the reader. Whether it's crafting persuasive marketing campaigns, captivating novels, or moving speeches, she does it all with finesse and style.

Her journey has been filled with challenges, but through it all, writing has been her safe haven and creative outlet. Now, she is eager to share her inspiring story about the challenges that teens go through and how parents can support them and speak to them

Desray: Performer

Her passion for artistry is unparalleled, and her connection to melodies, lyrics, and captivating visions of music videos runs deep within her soul.

Desray's songs transcend mere creation; they are born from moments of pure inspiration. With a versatile and distinct sound, Desray fearlessly defies the constraints of genres. She firmly believes in breaking down barriers and pushing the boundaries of creativity.

Join us on Women's Day as Desray takes the stage, captivating us with her extraordinary talent and boundless imagination.

Prize giveaways:

• Two lucky ladies stand a chance to WIN a R1 000 voucher for Cradle Moon Lodge at the event, These vouchers grant each winner 20 Entries to the breathtaking Cradle Moon Lodge, a hidden gem nestled under the majestic Zwartkop mountain.

• We will be giving away a luxurious Physeqfit Wellness & Spa voucher worth R899 to one lucky lady at our event!

• Three lucky ladies stand a chance to WIN a voucher for a 1-month free access, to the Healthy Hormone Club online Club Membership. 

Join us on the 9th of August 2023 at Morningside Country Club as we come together to celebrate the boundless potential of South African women. It's time to amplify your voice, embrace your power, and ignite the flames of inspiration within you.

Let your presence be a testament to the strength, resilience, and beauty that defines the women of South Africa. Reserve your spot now and be part of an unforgettable Women's Day event that will uplift, empower, and leave you inspired to conquer the world!

DIRECTIONS