There is Something Better About Woman Only Events

I like to joke with the ladies from BELA (Built Environment Ladies Association) that I am their token male just to balance out their mission.

August being Women’s Month, BELA President Sue Parkin and her committee presented their annual Women’s Event last night at Astro Paints on Willow Road.

This year was the third year that BELA has held a Women’s Day Event in aid of Yokhuselo Haven – if you have a few spare Rand please do consider sending them the way of Yokhuselo, they will really appreciate it as they are once again in desperate need of funds to support abused women and children.

As Anotonette from Yokhuselo Haven says; “If you are in a relationship and worry why your partner treats you in a specific way, you may be the victim of abuse.”

The ‘Sometimes Crazy’ BELA Committee. Photo: Alan Straton

At every BELA Event I marvel at the different atmosphere – men only events can be exhausting: all that competition, rivalry and testorone flow can sometimes get in the way and be overwhelming. Plus, the fact that I do not drink creates instant suspicion in the minds of many men. I remember my late Father saying that he did not trust a man who didn’t drink – a reflection of the times, yes, but still relevant amongst my peers these days.

Granted, there are also undercurrents of competition amongst the women but it is not so in your face as between men. Women have this incredible capacity to fight and make up. With men we just seem to simmer for a very long time when slighted.

But, back to BELA at Astro Paints – man can these women put together a classy event with literally no money!

Most of the BELA Women are professionals in the building industry – already a testorone charged environment – and, to the women’s credit they are bringing a softer, wider, more holistic feel to this male dominated industry.

In the space of a few weeks Sue and her Committee put together an event that featured on Bay FM, and was supported by a host of businesses – Astro Paints, Eurolux, Major Tech, Geberit, Woolworths – all had stands – along with many prizes from local businesses.

Former BELA President, Clair Crone presnted a talk titled; ‘Presenting your best professional self!’ – listening carefully to her I re-iterated my thanks that I am not female. Appropriate dress for a man is a very simple and quick affair. For a woman you have to be aware of how much you are showing – cleavage, shoulders, legs – how appropriate your make-up is; your choice of skirts or pants; your shoes; your hair; the list has an end that stretches far past a mans – pants, collared short, practical shoes, clean.

It was most gratifying to see just how much the woman attending the event supported Yokhusela Haven with care packages and free spending on the raffles offering big prizes.

Great was the joy when Yokhuselo won one of the big prizes of the evening – a whopper package of electrical equipment sponsored by Bevan Barkhuizen from Major Tech.

And then, in a strange twist of fate, Bevan won the prize of a Eurolux Chandelier sponsored by Natasha Stroebel. Strange because technically Major Tech and Eurolux compete against each other in certain product lines.

BELA have now opened their directory of women professionals to all women in the built environment in South Africa – listing is free.