FIRST ON ER AGENDA — WOMEN

Nomndeni Mdakhi, 35, founder of Agenda Women and Edits Communications, is passionate about creating a space where women can excel

- LINEO LETEBA AND KELETSO SEKERE

What inspired you to launch Agenda Women in 2016?

I separated from my ex-husband in 2016 after being together for 13 years. That transition made me realise that I had no-one, who would understand my standpoint, that I could talk to. Now I have this desperate need to bring women together and create a space where they can have conversations about common issues they’re facing. I felt like there was no authentic space where that was already taking place and in a manner that made it easy for people to open up. For me, it was about creating a space online and offline where women could have content that would help them grow personally as well as in their careers and businesses.

How do you embrace the challenges you face in entrepreneurship?

It’s tough, but you keep going. For me, there’s just no way out. I lost a big chunk of my family when I was young and I think that planted the seed of resilience in me. My outlook on life is, ‘you just have to figure it out’. There was a time in my life where I felt like there was no-one to call when I faced challenges, and that made me stronger. I believe there’s a solution for every problem, so you just have to find it. I’m going to fight until the day I die.

Please tell us more about #30DaysOfAwakening and how you hope it will inspire others?