EMPOWERING AND INSPIRING E Z LY N B A R E N D S , F O U N D E R O F D R E A M G I R L S AC A D E M Y, D I S C OV E R E D H E R T R U E C A L L I N G I N L I F E A S A S O C I A L E N T R E P R E N E U R , W I T H A PA S S I O N F O R WO R K I N G W I T H YO U N G P E O P L E I N O R D E R TO I N S P I R E , E M P OW E R A N D S U P P O R T T H E M I N F U L F I L L I N G T H E I R OW N P OT E N T I A L A N D B U I L D I N G A P U R P O S E F U L , M E A N I N G F U L L I F E .
BY E LS KE JOU BE RT
PHOTOG R APH BY LE BO THOK A
What led you to found the DreamGirls Academy? In 2010, I was managing my family youth education and development organisation. We ran an international internship programme where university students from the United States could volunteer to work in various positions at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Two students shared their story of how they started DreamGirls International Outreach and Mentoring Programme at their university, an initiative to expose marginalised teenage girls to higher learning and education opportunities. At the same time, I was also in the planning phase to launch a girl-focused education programme under the Dad Fund. Given our shared passion for education and the desire to start making a difference in the lives of teen girls, together with Lyndon Barends, my dad, we decided to launch a chapter in South Africa. The team, well aware that the context and needs of young girls in the country were slightly different, saw this as an opportunity to develop a more holistic programme that would imprint a deeper impact on teen girls in South Africa. It was at this point that we created a structured eight month mentoring programme which included education and empowerment on the topics of Life Design and Goal Setting, Education, Entrepreneurship and Careers, Leadership and Service, Women Wellness and Dignity and Professional Etiquette. After three successful years, the South African board made a decision to register DreamGirls South Africa as an independent entity. In 2017, it was decided that given the vast differences in the uniquely South 70 FASTCOMPANY.CO. Z A
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African programme, DreamGirls South Africa would be further rebranded and positioned as DreamGirls Academy: Empowered to Rise. What have been some of your biggest challenges and successes? One of the biggest challenges that I’ve faced was transforming my mindset to create positive experiences and a life that I love. I come from a loving family and a good upbringing, however, I struggled with serious bouts of self-doubt, people pleasing and low self-esteem. Because of that I gave my time and energy to many people, places, jobs and things that didn’t serve me well. My biggest success was taking ownership of my mind, my life and future and directing it with intention, purpose and clarity. You’re quite passionate about women empowerment. Where did this passion originate? I’m actually really passionate about youth development as a whole and am involved in a number of other initiatives that empower both young women and men. When we started DreamGirls, it came at a time of increasing research and evidence showing that gender empowerment and equality has a direct impact on a country’s economic growth and prosperity. We know that women have an inherent nature to uplift and nurture their surrounding communities and as such, we also focus on educating these young women to become agents of change in their schools, universities, places of work and communities. Please comment on the importance of mentorship in any organisation.
I believe that setting up effective mentoring platforms can further contribute to an organisation’s success because it allows for the transference of skills and knowledge through intergenerational dialogue; it’s mutually beneficial for both parties as learning occurs both ways and it provides a supportive relationship for professional advancement. Having a mentor provides a source of impartial advice and encouragement, assists with problem-solving, improves self-confidence, offers development opportunities and encourages reflection. For mentors, being in a mentoring relationship helps them build communication, leadership and management skills. They can also learn a lot from the younger generation. Overall, if someone with more experience can save another person from making certain mistakes, it can help one fast track their career trajectory. What, in your opinion, makes a great leader? I believe that leadership is a way of life, a way anyone can choose. I think being in touch with your soul is the secret of a great leader. A great leader is one who uplifts others and brings them on the journey with them. They inspire and motivate others to step into their own greatness. Leaders exist to serve others. How would you describe your leadership style? My leadership style is visionary, dynamic and empowering. Women join the DreamGirls Academy because of the inspiring vision and values that the leadership team so passionately and authentically live by. I believe that the role of a leader is to create more leaders. How important is wellness in ensuring overall productivity? Wellness is essential to productivity. I believe that one produces their best work when they are at their best and invest in their own self-care. That way one works from a place of calmness, groundedness and strength. This was a hard lesson I learned a few years ago when I suffered a burnout as a new entrepreneur. I worked around the clock and had no social life. Now, I’m very intentional about my wellness. I have at least one full day a week where I don’t do any work. Every day, I also make the time to pray, meditate, read, and relax.
NOVEMBER 2018
2018/10/26 13:49
