In a world that often asks women to shrink, soften, or second-guess themselves, these voices rise in quiet defiance. This is a celebration of women owning their journeys. Each answer reveals a deeply personal moment of strength, resilience, or clarity. Together, these seven women form a powerful portrait of what it means to live with courage, trust your gut, and stand tall in your truth, unapologetically.
What lesson did life teach you the hard way – and how did it shape you into who you are today?
“I love unconditionally—whether you’re furred, feathered, wounded, or wild. I’ve fought for every fragile breath, believing love could rescue anything. But life, with its quiet ache, taught me the sacredness of pain and grief. I’ve held death gently and learned that letting go can be an act of mercy. Pain lit a fire in me—not to harden, but to awaken. I no longer fear heartbreak, I honour it. I am unapologetically her—still tender, still fierce, and no longer chained to only life, but brave enough to walk with death, too.” – Kate Stucke
What part of your life journey are you most proud of – even if nobody else saw it?
“I’m most proud of earning my child nursing science qualification cum laude while hard of hearing—using those skills to save lives and lead a paediatric ward. I was once a sick seven-year-old saved by nurses; becoming one felt like destiny fulfilled. A former student’s shared notebook helped me through lectures, and later I paid it forward by teaching others. I’m also proud of writing my memoir, The Crowing Rooster, which connected me to an inspiring deaf community. Today, I embrace my hearing journey with confidence and am being assessed for cochlear implant surgery—another chapter in a life shaped by resilience.” – Nomaza Malamlela Mei
What does it mean to be unapologetically yourself?
“To be unapologetically yourself means trusting your instincts, especially in an industry full of external influences. For me, that begins with small daily rituals, like grooming, that build self-confidence and self-trust. Over the years, I’ve learnt to listen to my gut, which has guided me through challenges and brought me to a place where I now create beautiful clothing with an incredible team. Our customers wear our designs with confidence, and that’s something I’m deeply proud of. Being unapologetically myself has meant leading with courage, working hard, and staying true to a vision we’ve brought to life together.” – Debbie Blake
What’s one moment you realised your own strength?
“I realised my strength the day I stepped into a cold, empty exhibition hall with nothing but a sketchpad, a vision, and two young sons depending on me. I had no capital, no partner—just an unshakeable belief that South Africa’s design talent deserved a global stage. That moment became the birth of Decorex. It wasn’t just about building a business—it was about building a future. My purpose was clear: to raise my boys with dignity and create a platform for others like me—mothers, dreamers, and doers. Strength, I learned, is quiet, determined, and rooted in something greater than yourself.” – Nicola Hadfield
If you could pass on just one life lesson to your younger self, what would it be?
“Start practising self-compassion sooner. We are so hard on ourselves, we expect so much from ourselves, and when we do drop the ball, we can be so mean to ourselves. We would never talk to or treat a friend the way we do ourselves. It’s time to embrace ourselves as our own best friend, and acknowledge that we all have good days and bad days, and that’s ok. We are all imperfectly human, as it is meant to be, and we should treat ourselves with love and compassion. The world lightens a little when we do.” – Jacqui Meyer
What is one piece of advice you now live by that your younger self would’ve rolled her eyes at?
“Live in the present moment. And yeah, it sounds cliché and easy. My younger me would’ve questioned what was extraordinary about what I’m saying, but experience has shown me that worrying about what was and stressing about what’s to come only limits one’s ability to truly experience the moment. You can’t predict life’s playbook or pre-empt its lessons—so enjoy the ride, wins and setbacks alike. It’s through those moments that your character is built and your strength is revealed. Life’s unpredictability is exactly what makes it such a joyful ride.” – Wendy Nwankwo
What would a letter to your 20-year-old self say?
“Dear Dreamer,
What stories I could tell you! The places you’ll go. The wars you will fight. The people you’ll know. But what if you’d known how life would twist off your path? That “Job One” would wreck you. That food wouldn’t last. That babies would scream. That friends would pass away. That depression would suffocate. Would you have stepped away? But, what if I told you, you’d see the world? That babies stop crying and turn into sweet little girls? That young lovers would marry. That old friends would stay. That depression would fade, and your dreams remain.” – Kate Botha