The Wellness & Networking Event For Women 2012 - images and feedback

My annual Wellness & Networking Event For Women was hosted on Tuesday, 16 October 2012, at the beautiful Alice Art in Ruimsig.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.  These include all my fabulous guests, my husband who was the MC / programme director, all those who sponsored prizes and the sponsor: Old Mutual.

I have received wonderful feedback, including that I should consider making the Wellness & Networking Event a monthly event and that it should be a full-day conference.

This tells me that there is no doubt about the value of the event and that it is in line with what I initially intended.  

See the link at the end for images by a journalist from Get It magazine.  The event is also featured in the November issue of the magazine.  be sure to get your copy.

Thank you once again.  We'll go bigger and do better next time.

Feedback: "Dear Andeline,  WOW! What an amazing event! Well done!  My apologies for leaving early but I’m sure it continued to be great!  May you always be blessed every step of the way!  Many blessings and love."

-Chris Stormer-Fryer- 

Chris is a recognised authority on reflexology and natural healing worldwide.

Andeline and Faieza Sanders, the winner of the mid-week break.  Faieza is from Blackapples and she specialises in creating photo books.  She also sponsored a few prizes.

Feedback: - "Well organised and I liked the venue and the speakers.  Well done!!!"

Andeline and Mr. Stander from Old Mutual.  His talk on financial well-being provided food for thought.

Feedback: "I learnt a lot.  Enjoyed it.  Have lots to think about."

-H. Totos-

Delegates talking while enjoying the delicious treats on the menu.

Feedback: "Thank you for the wonderful line-up of speakers.  The food was awesome."

Feedback: "A very informative seminar.  Thank you for organising it for us.  We really enjoyed it.  Good luck for the future."

Last-minute networking before going home.

Feedback: "Wonderful feel-good session.  It reminded us how passionate, yet fragile life is and how we walk with blinkers on.  Do take care and walk this journey."
-Shariefa from Nexus travel-

Colleen, Andeline and Dudu.  They are both from Absa Bank.

Feedback: "Hi Andeline.  It was a privilege representing Absa yesterday and I thank you for the opportunity.  Thank you for the fabulous event, I really enjoyed networking with all the Ladies and I enjoyed all the presentations as well! I realised that we really do need a Networking Forum where we get together on a monthly basis, this will assist in empowering women and increase business. Once again thanks so much!" - Colleen van Rensburg-

Educational Psychologist: Dr. Lanette Hattingh, Andeline and Izelle Venter.  Dr. Hattingh generously donated a few copies of her book towards our lucky draw.

Delegates interacting

Feedback: "Andeline, thank you for the wonderful learning experience.  It was inspiring and motivational."

Feedback: Great!  I enjoyed it very much!  Loved it!

Dr. Pieter Smal From The Developmental Institute for the deaf and Blind in Rustenburg.  Andeline, hubby and Christiaan Smal.

Feedback: "Fantastic and well-organised event.  Really motivational and inspirational speakers, covering different aspects.  Well done and thank you so much for having me as a guest."
-Heidi Hannig, from Bag Secure-

Our speakers with their gifts, sponsored by Absa Bank.

From left to right: Mali Ramara, Nobuhle Ncube, Andeline, Annelie Potgieter, Annelise Bunce, Dr. Pieter Smal, Christiaan Smal is at the back.  Dr. Tshepiso Matenjie had to leave early.

Delegates queueing to have their blood pressure taken.

A little more networking before going home.

Annelie Potgieter, Nobuhle Ncube, Andeline Williams-Pretorius

Feedback: "Fantastic event!  Sharing, caring and learning.  Absolutely wonderful.  

 Thank you the opportunity to present to your delegates. I hope you had as much fun as most of us did.  Keep well and hope we meet soon to discuss more women’s workshops."

-Nobuhle Nchube, from EQ Legal-

The table setting.

My MC / hubby and I

Feedback: "Well-organised event.  I will recommend it to all my friends.  Well done."

Andeline and Dr. Tshepiso Matenjie, Resident Psychologist on 3Talk with Noeleen

Andeline, Petra Burger & colleague.  They are from the National Council for People with Physical Disabilities in South Africa.

Andeline and Emilie Olifant

Andeline in the middle, with from left: Faieza Sanders, winner of the mid-week break, Nicole Crawford, Mercy Klassen, Mpho, her friend and Mariana van Rheede van Oudtshoorn at the end.  Mariana is from Exempt BEE.

Andeline and Mariana, from Exempt BEE

Get It Magazine was there.  See this link for images by Get It Magazine journalist.  The event is also featured in the November 2012 issue of the magazine.  Get your copy.

http://joburgwest.getitonline.co.za/gallery

Contact them (ask for Distribution) to find out where you can get your free copy of the magazine.  Tel: 011 955 1130.

If you have any enquiries about the event, my training programmes or speech topics and how I can contribute to your event or corporate function, contact me: Andeline Williams-Pretorius.

Email: info@andeline.co.za
Mobile: 072 856 0218

A little history behind The Wellness & Networking Event For Women

As I am getting everything in place for my upcoming event: The Wellness & Networking Event For Women, I cannot help, but think of my journey and of where the idea to host this event comes from.

Yes, there are many events out there, the one more spectacular than the other.  But when I got the idea for this event, I asked myself: "How do I make this event one that will speak to the heart of women, of all women, irrespective of race, culture, religion - especially since I do not have the fame-factor that tends to more easily draw people?

I thought of what was important to me, about what I would like to hear when I attend an event.  And I decided to bring a number of experts together, to ensure that my event is able to touch everyone present.  At the end of my event, I want delegates to be able to list a few things that they know more about or understand a little better BECAUSE they attended The Wellness & Networking Event For Women.


My beautiful invitation

Do send me an email if you would like to receive the invitation via email.  

My sponsor

This year I am honoured to have Old Mutual on board as sponsor and Ms. Sylvia Walker, Market Development Manager, who will share some of  her knowledge and expertise around financial matters. 

When I look at the invitation and at all our contributors, I am proud to say that my delegates will be in great company.



My passion for health and well-being
I believe in balance.  As women we may not always get this perfectly right, but trying, is good enough to start with.

I often look back and think about my mother, because this is something that she never experienced.  All the sacrifices that she's made for her children when she was left to raise seven children by herself, after my father left and failed to support us.

Well, I don't know how she did it.  And even though I am grateful that she was my mother, even though I am grateful that she has made all the sacrifices, I wish that she would have done a little more for herself.  But it is too late now.  On 28 March this year, she was gone (had passed on) for 19 years.


You are fabulous, special and worthy With this event, I would like to say to every woman out there, who is still not quite featuring on her list of priorities, that you have to find time to focus on yourself.  
This is the reason why I always sponsor the mid-week break. 

One lucky lady will walk away with this prize - a week (Monday - Friday) at Mabalingwe Nature Reserve in Bella Bella.

Some feedback from the lady who enjoyed the mid-week break after a previous event.  Her colleague was the actual winner, but gave her the prize.  For privacy reasons, I have altered her email address a little.

----- Original Message -----

Fro N T (N.T @absa.co.za)

To: Andeline Williams-Pretorius

Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2011 2:21 PM

Subject: RE: Seasons Eco Golf Estate

"Good Day Andeline.

The holiday was awesome.

The accommodation was really beautiful.

I got some time to relax and refresh, which I really needed.

I received great service from the staff there as well.

All went 100% smoothly.

Thank you

N. T."

.........................................................

Why do we have an expert at the event, doing blood pressure checks?

I have always been a very healthy person and was blessed with genes that ensured that I never struggled with weight issues.

Yet, at age 33, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure.  I was embarrassed about it and remained "in the closet" about this diagnosis for a long time.

Most women are still struggling with assertiveness.  How often do people step on our toes and we keep quiet, because we do not want to come across as rude?

We tend to turn the other cheek, take a deep breath and often suffer in silence. The worst part is that every little issue that is not dealt with, makes a dent in our overall emotional well-being.  And when we deal with enough issues in this way, there is a good chance that we will end up with some disease. 

Women are often the last to feature on their list of priorities, if at all.  This is also true for health matters. Most women tend to put off those important medical check-ups.  Well, it IS better to know.  It is important that we know our numbers, i.e. blood-pressure, cholesterol and so forth.

I am proud to say that because of The Wellness & Networking Event For Women, we have saved, or at least prolonged quite a few lives over the years.  A number of women, have been diagnosed with sky-high blood pressure, while they had no idea of their condition.  We need to look after ourselves a little better. 

Your number is private

We respect your privacy, therefore you have to volunteer to have your blood-pressure taken.  Rest assured - the medical expert won't blurt out your measurement in front of everyone.

The danger of an inability to let go

Apart from doing everything right, I was diagnosed with this disease because I did not realise the impact that my inability to let go of crippling emotional pain and prolonged anger, had on my health. 

With the diagnosis and the inability to let go, came severe chronic shoulder pain - every day.  My dear husband had to give countless neck and shoulder massages.  I am grateful for his wonderful support. 

The switch to that chemical imbalance (high blood pressure diagnosis)

Looking back, I remember the details about that switch, from being free from high blood pressure to being counted as a sufferer.  I remember what I was thinking, I remember feeling angry. I remember being aware of how my blood pressure increased. I remember the sensation on the top of my head, the sensation of my tongue.  I remember focusing and trying to pull myself away, changing my state and focusing on breathing.  

I managed to do this, but I could not prevent that switch... 

Today, I can't help but wonder whether I was heading for a stroke, if I did not manage to pull myself away in time.  

This is one of the things that I discussed with one of my Psychology professors a few years ago, when I had him review my programme on emotional intelligence: The Art Of Letting Go.  A programme that I developed after my miraculous healing.

Possible future research
I am very interested in finding out (research) what exactly happens with stroke victims, just before their stroke.  Perhaps I could do this research as part of my doctorate studies.
I am interested in finding out more about the sensations that stroke victims experience just before getting a stroke, when the stroke is as a result of holding onto bad anger.

It would also be wonderful to perhaps have an expert determine that I was indeed preventing a stroke that day.  And if it is, perhaps what I have done, could be taught to possible stroke victims - struggling with anger issues.

See, I am very passionate about Psychology and about learning exactly how the mind works and more.

This experience was a profound journey and a wonderful lesson in emotional intelligence.  

I shared a little about my experience (in Rooi Rose, May 2012) and about the powerful vision that I had that finally made me realise that I was going to die prematurely, if I didn't let go.

Long story short...

I eventually managed to tackle the "demons."  I worked through the issues, and managed to let go and forgive.  When I felt that I was eventually free from the pain, I noticed that the chronic pain in my shoulder had disappeared.

Let's appreciate the one body that we have and let's look after it to the best of our ability.

Today, I am looking forward to becoming a Psychologist and to contribute. 

I look after my health, do regular exercise and always take time to breathe.
  

Even though it is not recommended, I have (for personal reasons) decided to chuck the chronic medication out the window. 

PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS!!!  

My advise is that you speak to your medical practitioner and be closely monitored by them and only take such action, under their guidance and with their approval.

.......................................

Thank you. I am looking forward to hosting you.

And remember to look after yourself, your health and well-being.

Andeline.

Email: info@andeline.co.za
Mobile: 072 856 0218

Dr. Tshepiso Matenjie to speak at The Wellness & Networking Event For Women

It is my pleasure to introduce to you, yet another professional to speak at The Wellness & Networking Event For Women on 16 October 2012. 

She is Dr. Tshepiso Matenjie.  She will fill the Emotional- / Psychological well-being slot on our programme.

Dr. Tshepiso Matenjie

I first met her at the gym a few years ago. I had to look twice, to see whether it was indeed the Psychologist whom I admire and regularly saw on 3Talk. I never spoke to her at the time, because I was somewhat star struck and didn't want to make a nuisance of myself.

A few months ago, I got to meet her, when we both participated in a programme. I then introduced myself to her and as they say: “the rest is history.”

It is indeed an honour to be able to expose my delegates to her wonderful expertise.

Please see below for a snippet of her expertise.  I also include the link (at the end) that will take you to her complete profile.

About Dr. Tshepiso Matenjie

Dr. Tshepiso Matenjie is the Managing Director at Matenjie Consulting Services. She is an Educational Psychologist, Co-Active Coach and Part-time Lecturer at the centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) at the university of Pretoria as well as Wits university, at the school of Public Management and Development.

She runs her private practice in Strubensvalley on the West Rand, near Roodepoort. She obtained her first Masters degree in Higher Education, cum laude from the university of Stellenbosch.

She is also the Resident Psychologist on 3Talk with Noeleen, on SABC 3.

Her long list of titles and expertise include:

Educational Psychologist

Co-Active Coach

Training and Development

Change Management

Competency Assessments

Career Coaching and Assessment

MVA Assessments

School Readiness, Subject Choice Assessment and

Psycho-educational Assessments

Talent Profiling and Management

NPO Governance Coaching

Life Coaching

Coaching for Women in Leadership Development

Change Readiness Intervention

You can view the complete profile of Dr. Matenjie here:  

http://matentjie.wozaonline.co.za/Director27s+Profile

Should you require more information about The Wellness & Networking 

Event For Women and all our experts, contact Andeline and / or view 

previous blog entries about the event.  

You can also go to the Events page on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/events/117067038440813/

Seats are limited!!!

When you book your seat and attend the event, you could be the winner of a 

fantastic break at Mabalingwe Nature Reserve in Bella Bella.  You could be 

the one sitting here and taking in this absolutely beautiful environment.

Contact me with your enquiries.

Andeline Williams-Pretorius

info@andeline.co.za

Mobile: 072 856 0218

Andeline was recognised by African Innovations as one of South Africa's Most

Inspirational Women.

Their glossy-page coffee table book, featuring 30 women, including Andeline, 

will be available soon.

Andeline's Motivational Training was nominated in the prestigious ROCCI - 

Business Of The year Awards, 2012.