SPAR My Cape Town Challenge 2026

Itgives me immense pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town; the first in our series of races held under the SPAR banner in cities throughout the country.

Thank you for entering!

As always, we place women first. The SPAR Women’s Challenge series, popularly known as ‘The Most Beautiful Race’, is collectively the biggest 10km road race for women in the world, and brings together women in their tens of thousands in Durban, Mbombela, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Jozi.

Years come and go. So too do these races and their offering. Following the journey of empowerment that began with #iRise in 2022, we have celebrated your ability to flourish despite life’s challenges. We have focused on investing in personal growth and well-being, advocating #ChooseYou. Last year, it was all about thriving. #Twenty20Thrive transforming self-discovery into action, seizing opportunities, and embracing each moment – to live fully and achieve boldly. It was also about endurance, strength, and resilience.

Placing you first ties in beautifully with this year’s theme #CelebrateHer. It’s a natural and inspiring progression. It is about honouring your strength and spirit; what grows when a community unites in support and love. This sentiment threads throughout this magazine, and you will see that ultimately, we are taking time to pause and connect.

The core of our business is individually owned stores serving their communities. As a SPAR family, we are committed to supporting women, the backbone of our communities, through education, women’s empowerment, and sport.

Your participation in the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town assists our SPAR Petals project to donate sanitary pads to NGOs that will help keep girls in need in school, thereby addressing the important issue of period poverty.

With the SPAR End GBV campaign, we continue our aim to help eradicate the violence that is too often aimed at women in our communities.

The SPAR Women’s Challenges, aimed at all women and not only our elite female athletes, promote a healthy lifestyle and mental well-being. They encourage you to look after yourself; only then can you reach out and connect with the communities where you play such an important part.

Enjoy celebrating your personal best with SPAR in Greenpoint, Cape Town, on 29 March.

SPAR Group Regional Marketing Director: SPAR Western Cape & Namibia

It’s time to style your trendy race T-shirt and fabulous crossbody bag, and take on the 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town! The SPAR Women’s Challenge series of races is not known as ‘My Beautiful Race’ for nothing. Let’s do this, Cape Town!

This year, the SPAR Women’s Challenge series and the #CelebrateHer theme encourage you to focus on just that; you. We want you to pause, connect, and celebrate your worth – right now – who you are and what you stand for.

This movement reinforces SPAR’s commitment to uplifting women through initiatives that promote wellness, inclusion, and shared value. Hopefully, it creates a space for joy, recognition, and appreciation, honouring your lives and communities.

#CelebrateHer is a tribute to every woman’s story – your courage, compassion, ambition, and contribution within your community. When you turn up on Race Day and join the crowd, you do not run or walk 10km or 5km alone; you carry the stories of those who came before you and those who stand next to you on the day.

It’s this sense of real worth that we focus on when we look at our sponsorships.

The empowerment of women is one of our standout pillars of support. We at SPAR strongly believe that each girl has a right to an education. Your participation assists our SPAR Petals project in donating sanitary pads to NGOs within your communities where most needed. You will help keep girls in need in school, helping us alleviate period poverty.

With the SPAR END GBV campaign, we aim to help eradicate the violence that is too often aimed at women in our communities.

It’s been a privilege and an honour to have led a team of mostly wonderful women (credit also to the super supportive men), who have given it their all in the planning and preparation leading up to the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town, who truly

SPAR Western Cape & Namibia

for more Race Day Fun! Is Calling

The Countdown to #CelebrateHer

The countdown to Race Day has officially begun and excitement is building across Cape Town. Women from all walks of life are getting ready to lace up, show up, and move together in the joyful spirit of #CelebrateHer. Whether you’re walking or running, joining friends or bringing the family along, this year’s SPAR Women’s Challenge is a celebration of connection, confidence, and community.

As we gather once again, Race Day is about more than the route ahead – it’s about the energy we share, the stories we carry, and the pride of being part of something bigger. Every step, every smile and every cheer adds to a day filled with colour, warmth, and celebration. This is your moment to be present, to enjoy the experience, and to celebrate her – yourself and the women beside you.

March 2026 29

5km/10km

Honouring Every Woman’s Journey

This year’s SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town invites women to do something beautifully simple – to celebrate her. #CelebrateHer is a joyful evolution of the journey women have shared over recent years. After rising through challenges and learning how to thrive with intention, this season pauses to honour how far women have come and who they already are.

#CelebrateHer is about recognition. It’s about applauding the courage it takes to show up, the compassion women offer daily, and the quiet strength found in community. It celebrates women not only for what they have overcome, but for how they shine – in their families, workplaces, friendships, and personal journeys. Whether walking or running, laughing or reflecting, every woman who joins the race brings her story with her.

This theme is rooted in warmth, colour, and connection. It’s the joy of standing together, the pride of shared achievement, and the reminder that no woman moves alone. When women are celebrated, confidence grows, bonds deepen, and communities flourish.

On Race Day, #CelebrateHer becomes more than a theme – it becomes a feeling. One of belonging. One of gratitude. One of collective joy. This year, we move not to prove anything, but to honour everything that makes her worthy of celebration.

Remember to share your experience with the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town community on Race Day by posting on social media and using the official hashtags!

STAND A CHANCE TO A

WIN

HYUNDAI EXTER

when you enter this year’s SPAR Women’s Challenge. Remember to attend the prize-giving after the race to be eligible to win this exciting lucky draw prize!

Safely

As we step into the joyful spirit of #CelebrateHer in 2026, we’re reminded that celebration goes hand-in-handwith care. Race Day is about movement, connection, and shared pride – feeling safe, secure and confident is part of that experience. With the excitement of the day, it’s easy to be swept up in the energy, but a few mindful choices help ensure that it’s a positive memory for everyone.

A celebrating community is a caring community. Let’s look out for one another and take simple steps to enjoy a worry-free Race Day.

Keep your essentials close

This year’s race pack includes a handy crossbody

bag, designed to keep your belongings secure while allowing you to move freely. Worn across the body, it keeps valuables visible and close, making it an ideal choice for busy start areas and post-race celebrations.

Use the tog bag area

Make use of the official tog bag area to store items you don’t need on the route. It’s the safest place to keep extra layers and personal belongings while you’re on the course.

Arriving by car

Take a moment to physically check that your vehicle is locked, and be alert to remote jammers. If possible, leave valuables at home and bring only what you need for the day.

Keeping children safe

Race Day is a family celebration, and a little preparation goes a long way. Write your cellphone number on your child’s arm with a permanent marker, dress them in

bright or distinctive clothing, and agree on a meeting point if you get separated. Younger children should stay with a trusted adult at all times.

Stay aware, stay connected

Move through crowded areas with a friend, trust your instincts, and alert event staff if something feels off. There are always helping hands nearby.

#CelebrateHer is about joy, confidence, and togetherness. When we care for ourselves and each other, we create a Race Day that’s safe, uplifting, and truly worth celebrating. PUBLISHER

info@freeradicalmedia.co.za

MANAGING EDITOR Kim Smit

editor@freeradicalmedia.co.za

DESIGN & LAYOUT

Aneska Meintjes +27 66 489 2915

aneska@freeradicalmedia.co.za

IMAGES © iStockphoto.com, 123RF, Official SPAR Photographer: Reg Caldecott

ADVERTISING SALES info@freeradicalmedia.co.za

CONTRIBUTORS

Elsabe van Zyl, Sean Komlosy, Kim Smit, Anne Taylor, Boland Veteran Cricket Club, #AgainstPeriodPoverty, Kfm 94.5, Bernadine Bachar – Saartjie Baartman Centre, Alta du Toit Centre, Thuthuzela Care Centres, Essence

CAPE TOWN

NOTE : Routes may change slightly on Race Day

10KM RUN AND WALK ROUTE

5KM RUN AND WALK ROUTE

Because We Know You’re Wondering

Sunday, 29 March 2026

You have collected your race number and you’re ready to go! Here are some guidelines to help you get out on the road safely on Sunday, 29 March 2026.

Must I wear my SPAR T-shirt on Race Day?

Please wear your official SPAR T-shirt on Race Day, or (if you must) your club colours. You are welcome to pimp your SPAR T-shirt, and make it you!

Do I need to wear my race number? Yes!

• For the 10km:

One SPAR race number will be issued for the 10km. Your timing chip will be attached. Fasten this bib to the FRONT of your shirt. Registered club athletes need to wear both their ASA licence numbers (FRONT and BACK). Non-club members will be issued a temporary ASA licence, which must be worn on the BACK of the shirt.

• For the 5km:

Only one race number will be issued for the 5km, which needs to be worn on the FRONT of your shirt.

You may not attach your race number to your running shorts, backpack, or any other part of your body. You may not transfer your race number and/or timing chip to another runner. Any runner who is found guilty of breaking this rule will be banned from the race for one year, in addition to being disqualified from the current year. This is an important rule that is in place for your safety!

How is my 10km race timed?

Your timing chip is attached to your race number and linked to your personal profile. Please remember:

• Your chip is not transferable to another runner as it is personalised for your use only.

• The timing chip must stay on your race number. Do not attempt to remove it.

• Remember to attach your race numbers to your t-shirt before you leave for the race to prevent them from being left at home.

• No chip – no results – no exceptions.

• PLEASE do not wear any other timing chip.

• Do not cover your timing chip with clothing or straps from bags or hydration packs.

• Please note: The 5km is NOT timed.

Will there be road closures?

All the road closures will be available on the website, www.sparwomenschallenge.co.za, so please plan ahead and take note of the road closures and access controls beforehand as this may affect your access to and from the event. Kfm 94.5 will also be broadcasting information in the early morning on Race Day, so listen in.

Where should I park?

• Keep in mind that certain roads will be closed, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the road closures before arriving.

• Time your arrival to ensure that you are well in advance of your race start time.

• Parking is available at various parking areas near the Race Precinct in Green Point.

• Paid parking is available at the V&A Waterfront.

• No parking is available on Beach Road.

• Please note that parking is on a firstcome, first-served basis.

Any

safety and security

issues

I should be aware of?

• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

• Be careful of remote jamming when locking and leaving your vehicle.

• Try to travel as a group.

• Wear your pack on your FRONT.

• Leave valuables at home.

• Be particularly conscious about safeguarding phones and wallets.

• Music players with earphones are not allowed in terms of athletics rules, particularly if competing for prizes in the 10km race.

Is there a place for my tog bag?

• Tog bag facilities are available at the Race Finish Precinct, Green Point Common Fields.

• When handing in your tog bag, ensure that your race number corresponds with the number on your bag.

• Items are left at your own risk, so please do not leave any valuables in your tog bag.

Where do I hit the road?

• The start line for both the 10km and 5km races is in Vlei Road facing the DHL Stadium.

• To minimise congestion on the route, both the 10km and 5km will be started in batches.

• Runners are seeded into batches according to the times they indicated during the entry process.

• Runners and walkers will start the race in batches. You will be asked to move into your allocated batch before the start of the race. Batches will be moved towards the start line as the race commences.

• Announcers will make regular announcements in the countdown to the start of the race.

• When it’s your batch’s turn, you will then be allowed to start and cross the start line.

What time do I start?

• 10km Run: 07h00

• 10km Walk: 07h10

• 5km Run/Walk: 07h40

Please note that each of the above is divided into batches. Please arrive early to get into your correct batch. If necessary, you may start in a later batch, but under no circumstances may you move up to an earlier batch without prior approval.

If you are doing the 10km, your chip time will be measured from the start time of the batch you start in.

Are there toilets?

Toilets are stationed at the start, finish, and refreshment stations on the route, but try to go before leaving home.

Can I bring my baby stroller along?

By all means. We need to stress, though, that you should position yourself right at the back - for the safety of the thousands of women running the race, but mostly because we care about the safety of you and your baby. SPAR accepts no liability for any accidents due to negligence.

Can I bring my pet?

Please note that pets are not permitted.

How long will I take to complete the 10km race?

If you are a very fast, fit runner, you’ll be done in just over 30 minutes! If you are not (which places you with thousands of other women), you should be able to complete the race in around 90 minutes.

Is there water along the route?

There are two refreshment stations on the 10km route and one refreshment station on the 5km route. Remember to smile and wave at the folk working at these stations as you speed past.

The race takes place in an environmentally sensitive area, and in doing our part, all refreshments will be provided in cups. Please make sure that you throw your cups in the bins provided. You are very welcome to carry your own water bottle, particularly if it is hot on the day. You will receive a bottle of water at the Finish.

When do I receive my goodie bag?

You get your medal and goodie bag when you finish your race, so stay in the finishers’ chute. The goodie bag tearoff MUST be handed in at the finish to receive your goodie bag – NO tear-off, NO goodie bag.

Will there be something to eat after the race?

Food and refreshments will be on sale at the finish. Halaal options will be catered for by certain vendors.

Where and when does the prizegiving start?

The prizegiving takes place on the expansive grass area on the Green Point Common Fields. The prizegiving and live entertainment will commence at 09h30 followed by the lucky draws. Prepare to be entertained on Race Day with the best in local talent! Remember, only those who stay for the prizegiving will be eligible for the lucky draws.

Am I eligible for category prizes?

The top performing athletes in the following categories will be eligible for prize money: Open, Junior, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79 and 80+ categories.

Please note that to qualify for prize money, your corresponding age category tags must be worn on the FRONT and BACK of the shirt.

Am I eligible for the lucky draw prizes?

To be eligible, you must be present at the prizegiving and you need to put your race number tag in the boxes that will be provided. There are great lucky draw prizes up for grabs, including a bumper R35 000 worth of SPAR vouchers.

Men and children under the age of 14 years are not eligible for any prizes.

How do I show off my time?

10km participants will receive an SMS directly after the race with their provisional time and position. Official race results, including photographs and certificates, will be available on the website www.sparwomenschallenge.co.za

Can I take selfies with my friends?

Yes, absolutely! We want you to share your fun with the world. Please

be considerate, and do not stop on the finish line to take selfies as this causes congestion. A separate Finishers’ Arch will be positioned on the field where you can pose for those super important photos.

@sparwesterncape

#CelebrateHer

Who benefits from the race?

This year’s race charities are linked to the SPAR Petals Project, so you will be giving young women in need the right to their education and hope for a future by providing them with a way out of period poverty.

Now it’s over to you! Show up, have fun, and enjoy the race with thousands of other women on Sunday, 29 March!

Get out on the road safely on Sunday, 29 March!

Start early!

Wear club gear or pimp your SPAR T-shirt. Know the rules around wearing your race number, especially if time is your thing.

Check road closures, and where you can park. Check out www.sparwomenschallenge.co.za, go onto Facebook @sparwesterncape or listen to Kfm 94.5!

Tog bag facilities at Race Finish Precinct, Green Point Common Fields.

Start in Vlei Road, facing the DHL Stadium.

• 10km Run: 07h00

• 10km Walk: 07h15

• 5km Run/Walk: 07h40

For safety reasons, baby strollers should be at the back. Doggies and kitties should stay at home.

Pack sunscreen, a peak cap, and a water bottle.

Pose for pics! #CelebrateHer

You finished! Remember to collect your goodie bag and medal.

Food stalls for the hungry. Prizegiving starts at 09h30. Be there for Entertainment and Lucky Draws – local DJ and R35 000 SPAR vouchers!

[Note: You can only win if you’re there!]

#CelebrateHer

#Twenty20Thrive Choosing Growth Together

The 2025 SPAR Women’s Challenge was more than a race day moment – it was a bold, joyful declaration of what happens when women choose themselves and step fully into growth. With #Twenty20Thrive as its heartbeat, this year’s race celebrated progress over perfection, strength over pressure, and community over comparison.

The Heartbeat of the Western Cape

Where Community Comes First

At the heart of SPAR has always been a deep-rooted connection to the communities it serves. Long before convenience became a buzzword, SPAR understood something fundamental; that the strength of a store lies in its people, its neighbourhood, and its ability to reflect the rhythm of daily life around it. Every SPAR store is shaped by the community it serves, offering an experience that feels familiar, relevant, and genuinely local. It was this belief that gave rise to the Heartbeat of the Western Cape.

SERVING and SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY, from the heart.

The idea emerged from a close look at SPAR’s core pillars, particularly its commitment to community. The insight was simple yet powerful; SPAR stores are deeply embedded in their immediate surroundings. From the way stores are stocked, to the sponsorships they support, and the activations they host, SPAR has always excelled at curating experiences that are tailored to the needs, wants, and character of each neighbourhood. The Heartbeat of the Western Cape resonates as it is authentic; a reflection of how SPAR shows up in communities every day. The Western Cape is a province rich in diversity, energy, and pride. Each town, suburb, and neighbourhood has its own rhythm, its own heartbeat. SPAR’s role is not to override that rhythm, but to tune into it. Whether through local partnerships, community sponsorships, tailored in-store experiences, or support of regional initiatives, SPAR listens first and responds with intention.

This approach allows SPAR stores to go beyond retail. They become meeting points, support systems, and trusted partners in everyday life. From backing local sports clubs and schools, to creating promotions and services that genuinely serve their customers, SPAR proves that being local is not a label — it’s a practice.

The Heartbeat of the Western Cape is a celebration of that philosophy. It recognises that while each community beats differently, SPAR remains a constant presence, engaged and invested. It’s about showing up where it matters most, in ways that feel meaningful and human.

As SPAR continues to evolve its offerings, services, and community initiatives across the Western Cape, the heartbeat remains the same; local pride, connection, and care. When a store understands its community, it doesn’t only serve customers — it becomes part of their story. And that is where SPAR will always be, right at the heart of it.

From Our Aisles to Your Home

Life in the Western Cape doesn’t slow down, and now your shopping doesn’t have to interrupt it. SPAR2U brings your trusted local SPAR store straight to your door, helping you save time without compromising on quality.

With just a few taps on the SPAR2U app or via Uber, you can order groceries and essentials for delivery, freeing up time for family, fitness, rest, or simply enjoying your day. No queues, no rushing — just convenience that works around your schedule, wherever you are.

SPAR2U is about more than delivery; it’s about reclaiming time and choosing how you use it. Whether you’re preparing for a busy week or carving out space for yourself, SPAR2U makes everyday living that little bit easier.

Little Wins in Every Trolley

SPAR Rewards turns your everyday grocery trip into something more rewarding. With no complicated sign-ups or point systems to navigate, SPAR Rewards gives you instant savings and personalised deals on the products you buy most.

Simply swipe your SPAR Rewards card or app at the till and enjoy exclusive discounts, special promotions, and tailored offers designed around your shopping habits. There’s no waiting period; the benefits are immediate.

It’s SPAR’s way of saying thank you for choosing local, for supporting your community store, and for making SPAR part of your routine. When shopping is already essential, the rewards should be effortless too.

Staying Connected, the SPAR Way

In today’s always-on world, staying connected shouldn’t come at a premium. SPAR Mobile offers a wallet-friendly way to manage your airtime and data, designed with everyday South Africans in mind.

Getting started is simple. Pick up a SPAR Mobile SIM at your nearest SPAR store and complete RICA in-store or via WhatsApp. You can even port your existing number if you’d like to keep it. Topping up is just as easy, whether through the SPAR Mobile app or at the till during your regular shopping trip.

What makes SPAR Mobile stand out is the added value. Enjoy competitive rates, easy top-ups, and exclusive promotions where shopping for selected SPAR items earns you free data. It’s connectivity that fits seamlessly into your daily routine — affordable, convenient, and proudly local.

My Stor(e)y My SPAR,

Where Women Lead, Communities Thrive

Cape Town is a city built on character. From coastal villages to mountain-backed towns and bustling shopping hubs, its communities are shaped by people who show up, stay curious, and serve with heart. Nowhere is this more visible than behind the counters and corridors of SPAR stores across the Western Cape — where women retailers are not only running businesses, but anchoring neighbourhoods. This is their stor(e)y.

A cross Somerset West, Grabouw, the Kalahari Mall and Yzerfontein, women have stepped into leadership roles not by following a script, but by responding to the needs around them. Their journeys differ, yet they share a common thread: resilience, communityfirst thinking, and a deeply personal connection to the places they serve.

The world of business doesn’t just need people, it needs a woman’s perspective.

Monique Norman

Carla Zandberg & Mari Bouwer –SUPERSPAR Grabouw

At SUPERSPAR Grabouw, retail is a family language — one spoken fluently across generations. Carla, who runs the store with her sister, Mari, grew up in SPAR aisles, absorbing lessons in humility, consistency, and kindness long before she held her first set of keys. Her leadership style is quiet but powerful, shaped by parents who never sought recognition for their generosity, yet left a lasting impression on their community.

Carla's dedication and impact were formally recognised in 2024 when she received the prestigious Young Achiever Award, celebrating excellence among retailers under the age of 35. The accolade not only honours her entrepreneurial drive and operational excellence but also affirms the remarkable way she has stepped confidently into leadership while remaining deeply rooted in her community.

Grabouw is a town where challenges are real, and needs are visible. The

sisters have intentionally positioned their store as a platform for the community — a place where local schools, welfare organisations, and families in crisis are supported, often without fanfare. From donation trolleys to free transport initiatives on key days like sponsoring a bus for women who have entered the SPAR Women’s Challenge, the store lives the SPAR mantra: in our community, for our community.

Carla’s journey also reflects the realities many women face, balancing leadership, motherhood, and personal identity. Discovering running through the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town became her way of reclaiming space for herself, a lived example of what #CelebrateHer truly means: permission to show up fully, both for others and for yourself.

Monique Norman –SUPERSPAR Kalahari Mall

Monique’s path into retail followed a bold pivot. After more than two decades in banking, she embraced retail for its dynamism, people-focus, and opportunity for growth. At SUPERSPAR Kalahari Mall, leadership is grounded in discipline, adaptability, and trust — built through consistency and presence.

For Monique, the store’s character is carried by its people. Staff who laugh, connect, and create a sense of belonging, transforming selling groceries into a human experience. Customers don’t merely shop; they share news, seek comfort, and treat the store as their own. That sense of ownership is the ultimate marker of success.

Her approach to leadership is rooted in accountability and mentorship. Mistakes are part of growth, and resilience is built collectively. In an environment shaped by constant change, Monique’s calm, people-first style keeps the store grounded and responsive.

Ashleigh

Nel – SPAR Yzerfontein

Yzerfontein is a town in transition — once a quiet seaside retreat, now a vibrant mix of long-time residents, young families, and seasonal visitors. Ashleigh’s leadership reflects this evolving rhythm. At SPAR Yzerfontein, the goal is not just convenience, but experience.

From warm welcomes and tailored product ranges to innovations such as a natural deli and in-store restaurant, Ashleigh has shaped the store into a destination, one that reflects the diversity of its community. During COVID-19, the store became more than a place to shop; it became a social anchor, a rare space of connection in an isolating time.

Ashleigh describes her leadership style simply: “If I can do it, so can you”. Hands-on, honest, and human, she leads from within the team. With women making up the majority of her staff and management, development and empowerment are everyday priorities, not buzzwords.

I had never planned to be in retail. During my final year of Articles, my family invested in a KWIKSPAR. I was just going to do the books, but once I stepped foot into the store and started to learn the retail game, I was hooked. There was no going back to the four walls of my office and accounts alone.

Ashleigh Nel

Magda Stapelberg & Janine Fourie – KWIKSPAR Somerset

For Magda and Janine, retail wasn’t a childhood dream — it became a calling. What began as a practical involvement in a family investment quickly evolved into a full-scale entrepreneurial journey. Drawn in by the pace, people, and problem-solving nature of retail, Janine discovered that leadership is less about control and more about service.

At KWIKSPAR Somerset, the heartbeat of the store lives in its service departments. From the bakery and butchery to the deli, quality and innovation are non-negotiable. Known affectionately by many as “the German store” owing to its unique imported offering, the store reflects its CBD setting and the rhythm of a fast-moving community — weekday convenience balanced with weekend family flair.

For Magda, success is built on people. Leadership means mentoring, guiding, and creating an environment where staff feel seen and supported. With a largely female team, championing women is woven into daily operations, creating ripple effects that reach far beyond the store.

More than retail — a shared Cape Town story

What unites these women is not a single path, but a shared purpose. Each has shaped her store to reflect the personality, challenges, and strengths of her neighbourhood. Each understands that retail is not only about stock and systems, but about trust, consistency, and care.

Their success stor(e)ies are written in small moments: a familiar face at the till, a staff member stepping into leadership, a community finding support when it matters most. In celebrating

these women, SPAR honours not only entrepreneurship, but the everyday leadership that keeps communities connected.

This is #CelebrateHer in action — women leading with courage, compassion, and an unwavering belief that business can, and should, serve people.

#CelebrateHer is about recognising strength, consistency, and the often unseen work women do every day. It’s about leading with confidence while staying authentic — and creating space for other women to do the same.

Magda Stapelberg

Celebrating Courage & Care

Healing, Renewal, Compassion, and Justice at the Western Cape Thuthuzela Care Centres

By: Adv. Bonnie Currie-Gamwo, Special Director of Public Prosecutions: Sexual Offences and Community Affairs National Prosecuting Authority

Nelson Mandela once said: For every woman and girl violently attacked, we reduce our humanity as a society. Gender-based violence (GBV) has reduced our humanity as a society, leaving victims scarred and feeling hopeless, with deep and enduring scars, often silencing survivors at the very moment they need to be heard most.

The National Prosecuting Authority heard the voices of the victims and created a voice for their pain by establishing Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) across South Africa. In the Western Cape, there are 10: Atlantis TCC, Khayelitsha TCC, Karl Bremmer Bellville TCC, Heideveld TCC, Mitchells Plain TCC, George TCC, Paarl TCC, Worcester TCC, Wynberg Victoria Hospital TCC and Stellenbosch TCC.

These Centres stand as places of safety, dignity, restoration, and justice— where the resilience and fighting spirit of victims are celebrated, and where victims are transformed into survivors.

The Thuthuzela Care Centre model is built on a simple but powerful principle: survivors come first. Through an integrated, victim-centred approach, the prosecutor-driven Centres bring

Thuthuzela Care Centres remain a powerful reminder that justice and compassion are not separate pursuits, but partners in the fight to end GBV.

together healthcare professionals, social workers, prosecutors, SAPS members, and civil society partners under one roof. This coordination reduces secondary trauma and ensures the best chance for the victim to get justice – her best chance to celebrate her victory.

Thuthuzela Care Centres do far more than support criminal justice processes. They offer survivors a safe space to begin again. Immediate medical care, trauma counselling, psychosocial support, and prosecutorial legal guidance are delivered with empathy and respect, affirming survivors’ dignity at a time when it has been profoundly violated.

Central to this work is compassion — expressed in quiet moments of listening, in patient explanations of rights and options, and in the steady reassurance that survivors are not alone. For many, a Thuthuzela Care Centre is the first place where their pain is acknowledged, and their voice is believed.

This year’s SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town theme, #CelebrateHer, recognises not only survivors’ resilience, but also the tireless service of those who walk alongside them. Prosecutors who pursue justice with sensitivity. Police officers who believe the victim. Nurses who treat injuries while restoring trust. Social workers who help survivors reclaim agency over their lives. These

acts of service, often unseen, form the backbone of the Centres’ impact. Healing after GBV is not linear, nor is it quick. Yet within the walls of Western Cape Thuthuzela Care Centres, renewal is possible. Each survivor supported, each case handled with care, and each life restored to dignity is a testament to what compassionate, coordinated service can achieve.

As we celebrate her — her courage, her survival, her strength — we also recommit ourselves to building systems that protect, heal, and empower. Thuthuzela Care Centres remain a powerful reminder that justice and compassion are not separate pursuits, but partners in the fight to end GBV.

The SPAR Group donates basic groceries and care items to TCCs throughout the country, valued at approximately R300,000 per month. It was in September 2019 that the SPAR Group Ltd launched its END GBV initiative, in which it pledged to take practical steps towards ending the pandemic of GBV in this country.

The SPAR Group Ltd’s business model is essentially built around serving the community, similar to the TCCs, which are tailored to individual areas and communities. The collaboration with the NPA and relevant stakeholders in the rollout and support of the TCCs nationally forms an important part of the Group’s commitment to this core value.

A Voice for the Holding Space, Restoring Hope

Bernadine Bachar Executive Director of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children,

There are women whose leadership is loud and visible, and then there are women whose strength is steady, deliberate, and lifechanging in ways that rarely make headlines. Bernadine Bachar is firmly the latter. As the long-standing Executive Director of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children, she has dedicated her life to holding space for women and children whose voices have been silenced by violence, and rebuilding hope where it has been stripped away. Bernadine’s work reminds us that celebration is not always about applause. Sometimes, it is about acknowledgement, about recognising the women who carry the weight of others’ stories with integrity, compassion, and fierce resolve.

A centre built on dignity, trust, and survival

The Saartjie Baartman Centre is not merely a place of refuge. It is South Africa’s largest women’s empowerment centre, offering a comprehensive, survivor-centred model that includes shelter, legal support, psychosocial services, economic empowerment programmes, and community prevention work. What makes it exceptional is not only the number of programmes it offers, but the philosophy that underpins them; survivors are not problems to be fixed, but people to be supported holistically and respectfully.

For Bernadine, this work is deeply personal. Growing up in apartheid South Africa, she was confronted early on with the realities of inequality, oppression, and human rights abuses. Those formative experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to justice. From organising her first feeding scheme at the age of seven, to later studying law to challenge patriarchal systems and gender inequality, her path has been one of intentional advocacy.

Yet despite decades of experience, Bernadine remains acutely aware of the privilege and responsibility that comes with leadership. “It is truly a privilege to be in a position to empower women and children every day,” she reflects. “I am always mindful of the trust that survivors extend to us when they allow us to hold their stories.”

When care becomes a lifeline

The impact of the Centre’s work is often most visible in the quiet moments.

Bernadine recalls an encounter early in her tenure that continues to ground her. On Mandela Day – a day usually filled with celebration, donations, and joy at the Centre – she noticed a new client crying in the corridor. When she stopped to ask if she could help, the woman replied: “I am crying because I never knew that there were people outside that care about us.”

That moment, Bernadine says, captured both the devastation of abuse and the transformative power of care. It is a reminder that violence isolates, and that healing begins when survivors realise they are not alone.

Healing, in Bernadine’s view, is not linear. It is a return to wholebody wellness, to hope, autonomy, and community. Survivors heal most powerfully together, when isolation is replaced by connection and shame by shared understanding.

SPAR and the commitment to ending GBV

SPAR’s END GBV campaign recognises exactly this reality; that gender-based violence is not a private

issue, but a societal one. Through its long-term partnerships with organisations such as the Saartjie Baartman Centre, SPAR moves beyond awareness to action, supporting spaces that provide real safety, recovery, and empowerment.

As a beneficiary of the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town, the Centre’s inclusion reflects SPAR’s belief that community upliftment must be rooted in trust and continuity. This is not once-off support, but a commitment to walking alongside organisations doing the difficult, often unseen work of prevention and healing.

The SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town itself becomes a powerful extension of this ethos. Thousands of women gathering to walk or run together send a collective message; violence against women has no place in our communities, and healing is everyone’s responsibility.

Leadership that centres humanity

Under Bernadine’s leadership, the Saartjie Baartman Centre has expanded its offerings significantly, increasing its programmes and strengthening its focus on prevention, particularly work with men and boys. She is clear that

systemic change is essential; women’s economic empowerment, legal reform, stronger enforcement of bail conditions, and improved policing are all critical in addressing South Africa’s GBV crisis.

At the same time, she understands that the work takes a toll. To sustain her team, the Centre prioritises staff wellness through professional supervision, debriefing, mental health days, team wellness activities, and even an on-site gym. Caring for carers, she believes, is non-negotiable.

What keeps her grounded on the most difficult days is the knowledge that the challenges faced now will lead to better outcomes for those subjected to violence. Personally, she finds balance through meditation, running, yoga, and time with her children – small anchors of normalcy in emotionally demanding work.

Celebrating her – and all women who hold the line

For Bernadine, #CelebrateHer is both personal and political. It is about women taking the time to acknowledge their own needs and contributions, even while supporting others. At the Centre, celebration shows up in everyday ways; marking milestones, honouring cultural and religious days, and ensuring that

Saartjie Baartman Centre will always be known as a voice for the voiceless

staff and survivors alike feel seen and heard.

She draws inspiration from the survivors themselves, from her dedicated team, from fellow advocates like Caroline Peters of the Callas Foundation, and from her daughter –whose clarity of vision and courage continue to inspire her.

Her hope for the future is bold, but grounded; that the Centre’s model can be replicated, particularly in rural areas where access to services is limited.

Her desired legacy is simple and profound; that the Saartjie Baartman Centre will always be known as a voice for the voiceless, a champion for the powerless, and a beacon of hope.

In celebrating Bernadine Bachar and the Saartjie Baartman Centre, SPAR’s END GBV campaign reminds us that real change is driven by people who show up, day after day, with courage and compassion. This is what it means to celebrate her – not only for surviving, but for leading, healing, and lighting the way forward for others.

She Leads, She Lifts, She

Dignity is not a luxury; it is a right. Yet for far too many girls and women, something as natural as menstruation continues to be a source of shame, exclusion, and missed opportunities. Period poverty remains a quiet but powerful barrier to education, confidence, and participation in daily life. Through the SPAR Petals Project, SPAR is working to change that reality – one pack, one conversation, and one community at a time.

At the heart of the initiative is a simple but profound belief; when women are supported with dignity, entire communities are strengthened. The SPAR Petals Project, was established to ensure that girls and women have access to sanitary products, education, and support, not as charity, but as an act of care, respect, and solidarity.

This commitment is deeply woven into the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town. Each year, the race becomes a powerful vehicle for giving back, transforming collective movement into meaningful impact. Thousands of women come together not only to walk or run, but to stand for something bigger than themselves. Through the event, sanitary packs are donated to partner organisations and community groups, ensuring that dignity reaches those who need it most.

What makes the SPAR Petals Project particularly impactful is its communityfirst approach. SPAR works closely with local beneficiaries, schools, non-profits, and advocates who understand the realities on the ground. These partnerships ensure that support is distributed thoughtfully and responsibly, reaching girls and women in ways that respect their context and needs.

Over the years, tens of thousands of dignity packs have been donated across the Western Cape and beyond. Each pack represents more than a month of sanitary care; it represents uninterrupted schooling, restored confidence, and the reassurance that someone cares. In a world where menstruation is still too often hidden or stigmatised, these packs are a tangible reminder that periods should never limit potential.

Men Who Celebrate Women:

Boland Veterans Cricket Association (BVCA)

One of the most inspiring aspects of the SPAR Petals Project is the way it brings together people from all walks of life, including men who choose to actively stand alongside women in the fight against period poverty.

The BVCA, in partnership with the Western Province Veterans Cricket Association, is a powerful example of this allyship in action. Through their involvement with the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town and the distribution of dignity packs, the veteran cricketers have embraced a role that goes beyond sport. Their members have committed themselves to raising awareness, mobilising resources, and physically helping to distribute sanitary products within their communities.

For the men of BVCA, supporting the Petals Project is about recognising that period poverty is not a “women’s issue”; it is a community issue. By showing up, speaking openly, and lending their time and energy, they help normalise conversations around menstruation and reinforce the idea that dignity is everyone’s responsibility.

Their involvement also sends a powerful message to young girls; that men can be respectful allies, and that their needs deserve acknowledgement and support. This visible solidarity challenges outdated taboos and helps create environments where girls feel safer, more confident, and more valued.

In celebrating these men, the SPAR Petals Project highlights an essential truth of #CelebrateHer; celebrating women also means building communities where everyone plays a role in protecting dignity.

Celebrating Dignity:

Lindsay Adams and #AgainstPeriodPoverty

At the forefront of the fight against period poverty stands Lindsay Adams, founder of #AgainstPeriodPoverty; a movement dedicated to restoring dignity through access, education, and advocacy. As a beneficiary of this year’s SPAR Women’s Challenge, Lindsay and her organisation bring both heart and urgency to the conversation.

For Lindsay, period poverty is not only about products; it is about the deep emotional and social impact of exclusion. Girls who miss school, women who isolate themselves, and families who must choose between essentials all carry the hidden cost of silence around menstruation. #AgainstPeriodPoverty exists to break that silence.

Through partnerships like the one with SPAR, Lindsay’s work is amplified. Sanitary packs and sanitary pad

dispensers distributed through trusted community networks, especially schools, reach those who might otherwise be overlooked. Just as importantly, education initiatives help dismantle shame and misinformation, empowering girls to understand their bodies without fear or embarrassment.

Lindsay’s advocacy embodies the spirit of #CelebrateHer. It celebrates girls who continue to show up despite challenges, women who speak out for others, and communities that choose compassion over complacency. Her work reminds us that dignity is not something to be earned, it is something to be upheld.

Community at the Centre

What unites the SPAR Petals Project, the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town, the BVCA, and #AgainstPeriodPoverty is a shared commitment to community. This is not a top-down initiative, but a collective effort rooted in listening, partnership, and presence.

SPAR’s role is not merely to fund or facilitate, but to connect – linking resources with real needs and ensuring that support reaches the right hands. The SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town becomes more than a race; it becomes a moment of shared purpose, where celebration and compassion move side by side.

In a society where dignity can too easily be stripped away by circumstance, projects like this restore balance. They remind us that small, consistent acts – a pack, a conversation, a show of support – can have a life-changing impact.

As SPAR continues its commitment to ending period poverty, the message is clear; dignity matters. Community matters, and when we truly #CelebrateHer, we create space for every girl and woman to participate fully, confidently, and without shame.

Purpose, Packed with

At the heart of the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town is a powerful truth; when women come together, extraordinary things happen. The event is more than a race; it is a celebration of strength, community, and shared humanity. In 2026, as the Cape Town Challenge embraces the theme #CelebrateHer, one partnership continues to quietly and beautifully bring this spirit to life; SPAR’s ongoing collaboration with the Alta du Toit Centre.

Longbefore the starting gun sounds and thousands of women fill the streets, meaningful work is already underway at the Alta du Toit Centre in Bellville. Here, residents gather around tables, carefully packing the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town goodie bags – one item at a time, one bag after another. What may seem like a simple task carries deep significance. Each bag is packed with intention, focus, and pride, becoming a tangible symbol of belonging and contribution.

The Alta du Toit Centre supports adults with intellectual disabilities, creating a space where individuals are encouraged to grow, learn, and participate meaningfully in the world

around them. The partnership with SPAR offers residents the opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves; an iconic event that celebrates women across the Western Cape. For many residents, this work brings a sense of routine, purpose, and joy, reinforcing that their efforts matter.

As the bags take shape, so too does a powerful sense of achievement. There are moments of quiet concentration, bursts of laughter, and shared smiles when a job is well done. Residents work together as a team, supporting one another, and taking pride in the role they play. Knowing that their hands have helped prepare something that will be received by thousands of women on

Race Day is deeply affirming.

Behind every successful packing session stands the Centre’s dedicated team, whose patience, care, and encouragement are integral to the process. They understand that this work is about more than completing a task; it is about dignity, inclusion, and celebrating each person’s abilities. Through their support, residents are empowered to participate fully and confidently, reinforcing a culture of respect and belonging.

For SPAR, the partnership with the Alta du Toit Centre reflects a genuine commitment to uplifting communities and creating opportunities that enrich lives. It is a reminder that meaningful corporate involvement is not only about visibility, but about relationships – built over time, rooted in shared values, and driven by a desire to make a difference within the communities it serves.

Within the context of the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town, this collaboration speaks directly to the heart of #CelebrateHer. It celebrates the women who walk and run on Race Day, the women who organise and support the event, and the women – and men – whose contributions happen quietly behind the scenes. It honours the residents of the Alta du Toit Centre, whose work reminds us that every contribution counts.

When participants collect their goodie bags in 2026, they will be holding far more than Race Day essentials. They will be holding a story of hands that worked with care, hearts that found purpose, and a partnership built on inclusion and respect. Each bag carries with it a message of community, connection, and shared pride.

Through partnerships like this, SPAR continues to celebrate women, champion inclusivity, and strengthen the communities it serves. It is a powerful reminder that when we truly celebrate one another, we all move forward, together.

From the start line of the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town to the morning commute and afternoon drive home, the voices of Kfm 94.5 are woven into the rhythm of the Western Cape. As a proud and longstanding media partner of the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town, Kfm doesn’t just broadcast the race — it amplifies its spirit. Every year, the station’s leading ladies help bring the event to life, encouraging women to show up, move with confidence, and celebrate themselves exactly as they are. In the spirit of #CelebrateHer, we honour the women behind the microphones; storytellers, cheerleaders, creatives, and connectors whose voices echo far beyond the airwaves. These are women who don’t merely speak to the Western Cape; they stand beside it, every step of the way.

Broadcasting Confidence

Celebrating Kfm 94.5’s leading ladies

Cassidy Nicholson

The Flash Drive with Carl and Cassidy

Monday to Friday 15h00 to 19h00

Cassidy Nicholson, also known online as A GIRL NAMED CASSIDY, brings her sharp wit and storytelling talent to The Flash Drive with Carl Wastie on Kfm 94.5 weekday afternoons. Long before the mic, Cassidy was shaping the woman she is today through stories and imagination.

“As a young girl, I always knew I was meant for more than the ordinary,” she recalls. “The chaotic energy inside me was a hunger for stories, to be in them, write them, imagine them, and tell them as our ancestors did.” She remembers gathering her family to watch the silly plays she created, loving how

stories could shift thinking and draw people out of their own busy minds.

Even when faced with repeated “No’s” because of things beyond her control, a lisp, her height, lack of funds, Cassidy wasn’t deterred. Instead, she became more determined to shake up the industry by writing herself into storylines, proving that resilience and creativity often go hand-in-hand.

The woman she celebrates most is her mother, whom she describes as strong, funny, loving, and endlessly supportive. “Honestly, I don’t think she was ever celebrated enough,” Cassidy admits.

Her message for women in the Western Cape? “There is more than enough room for all of us to thrive.”

Now on air with Carl Wastie, Cassidy continues to live this belief every day, blending humour, heart, and bold creativity to inspire listeners and remind everyone that there’s space for all voices to shine.

Liezel van der Westhuizen

Early Mornings with Liezel van der Westhuizen Monday to Friday 5h00 to 6h00

If there’s anyone who understands the magic of women showing up for themselves, it’s Liezel van der Westhuizen. Long before she became a neuroscience and mental fitness coach, a hypnotherapist, an endurance athlete, and the voice behind Kfm 94.5’s popular Feel-Great Fitness Guide, she had a moment that quietly shaped her path. About 15 years ago, while commentating at a SPAR Women’s Challenge in Pretoria, she invited firsttimers on her radio show to join her for a 5km walk/run. She expected one or two. Instead, a whole group arrived, buzzing with nerves and determination. Walking beside them as they crossed their first finish line lit something in her. Their pride was electric, and the seed for her future coaching work was planted right there among the laughter and the finish-line tears.

Today, Liezel uses that same energy on air, connecting women to fitness spaces across the Western Cape and cheering on anyone battling first-time fear. She knows how loud that little voice of doubt can be, which is why she believes the message that women most need to hear right now is simple; you are not behind. Rest is not laziness. Asking for help is strength, and your voice and boundaries matter.

Liezel celebrates her mother as her greatest quiet hero; the kind of woman who holds families and communities together without applause. That grounded strength guides her through the pressures of broadcasting, too. She prepares like an athlete, leans on her team, and reminds herself she is there to serve the listener.

In true giraffe style, Liezel helps women stand taller; one honest conversation and one finish line at a time.

Sibongile Mafu

Sibongile Mafu Kfm Mornings with Darren, Sherlin and Sibs Monday to Friday 6h00 to 9h00

Sibongile Mafu’s love affair with storytelling began long before she became one-third of the dynamic Kfm Mornings with Darren, Sherlin and Sibs. Growing up in a home that cheered on every spark of curiosity, she spent her teen years buried in books, theatre, and oratory. As a high-school library monitor, she spent hours surrounded by stories, escaping into different worlds and discovering their power. Those pages stretched her imagination, sharpened her empathy, and planted the dream of a brave, adventurous life. Journalism and broadcasting soon became the obvious path for a girl who already understood how stories can move people.

When she entered commercial radio in her early twenties, Sibongile quickly

Tracey Lange

Mid-Mornings with Tracey Lange Monday to Friday 9h00 to 12h00

One thing that Tracey Lange definitely brings to the airwaves every weekday from 9 to 12, is joy; the big, sparkly, contagious kind. The Somerset Westborn TV personality, entrepreneur and all-round creative dynamo has become the Cape’s unofficial “workday bestie”, known for her warm smile, infectious laugh, and uncanny ability to make even a grey Tuesday feel like a mini-holiday.

For Tracey, women’s empowerment isn’t a grand gesture; it’s an everyday practice. “It’s not always about creating opportunities,” she says. “It’s making sure I’m not the reason another woman can’t reach her highest level of success.” In other words? Queens fix each other’s crowns, even in the office.

That ethos shines through on her weekly on-air feature, Woman Crush

realised she wasn’t merely learning a craft; she was growing up on air. In the beginning, she felt pressure to shrink herself, to be more palatable and easier to accept, but life and experience taught her the opposite. Showing up as her full, unapologetic self opened doors she never expected. Through tough mornings and magical ones, she always returns to her “why”; connection. Being the soundtrack to the start of someone’s day is a privilege she never takes lightly, and every Kfm Mornings show is another chance to build the community she loves so deeply.

To her, #CelebrateHer means something beautifully simple; we see her. In a world that sidelines and silences women, celebrating someone means inviting them to tell their own story, to show up whole and imperfect and powerful. It’s an act of visibility and Sibongile champions it with the same boldness she brings to every show.

And off-air, she’s still the adventurous, curious spirit fans adore — reading, travelling, watching cricket, and chasing her next great story.

Wednesday. Each week, she chats to women smashing ceilings, doing good, building businesses or simply refusing to be stopped. They share their highs, lows, and lessons – and Tracey makes sure that listeners celebrate their journeys as loudly as their achievements.

It’s exactly this spirit that makes Kfm such a natural partner for the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town, says Tracey. “Both SPAR and Kfm are about making you feel good, but there’s always a purpose behind what we do. It’s never just about ourselves.”

When she’s not on-air spinning office anthems or delivering her beloved Flou Joke Fridays, Tracey’s travelling, telling Capetonian stories or dipping into her film and TV work, because of course she has award-winning projects on her résumé too.

One thing is for sure; mid-mornings never looked (or sounded) this good.

Sherlin Barends

Kfm Mornings with Darren, Sherlin and Sibs Monday to Friday 6h00 to 9h00

Sherlin Barends lights up every room she enters, whether it’s the Kfm 94.5 studio at sunrise or a stretch of Cape Town’s Atlantic Promenade. Bold, bald and brilliantly bubbly, she’s one-third of the much-loved Kfm Mornings with Darren, Sherlin and Sibs – and a force of nature whose energy is as grounding as it is infectious.

What excites her most about the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town is simple; the sea of pink. “It’s women coming together for a common cause, moving our bodies while we’re at it,” she says. Some of her fondest memories involve running the race with her aunts and cousins; a reminder of how joyfully movement connects generations.

For Sherlin, empowerment begins quietly, internally. “It starts with being soft and kind with myself first,” she shares. One of the women she celebrates most is her mother, Sherine Christine Barends; her first teacher and biggest cheerleader, who taught her to “do it scared”. Sherlin believes that the message women in

the Western Cape need right now is one of worthiness: “You are worthy of the love, light, and resources you so graciously share with the world. Slow down and celebrate yourself.”

Connection is at the heart of everything Sherlin does, especially on Kfm Mornings. It’s the kind of connection she feels every day when thousands of listeners welcome the team into their homes, offices, and cars. “There’s a reason it’s called Kfm Mornings with Darren, Sherlin, Sibs and YOU,” she says – because the community is the heartbeat of the show.

Movement, wellness, and mental health anchor her life, whether it’s a 5km jog, dancing in the kitchen or breathwork sessions. Her grounding daily rituals – including a 90-minute morning routine and playful evenings with her twin boys – help her embrace the beautiful chaos in between.

Sherlin lives by the RuPaul truth: “If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else.” She adds, “It’s the same with empowerment. Empowered women empower others.”

A dynamic Maties alumna with more hair on her teeth than on her head, Sherlin continues to champion joy, feminism, and fierce self-love, working hard, playing harder, and pouring her heart into every moment.

Cooking Up

Made with Purpose, Powered by Community

Every great business begins with a spark — a moment where creativity, necessity, and courage intersect. For Kathleen Quillinan, founder and creative force behind Pesto Princess Foods, that spark was born out of a love for music, food, and the determination to create opportunity from what she already had. Today, Pesto Princess stands as a proudly South African success story — one that reflects the power of a woman-led enterprise, community upliftment, and the kind of partnership that allows local businesses to thrive. This is a story that is naturally #CelebrateHer — not only celebrating achievement, but honouring individuality, resilience, and purpose.

A side hustle with heart

Kathleen’s entrepreneurial journey did not begin in a boardroom or a factory. A classically trained musician, she needed additional income to support her music studies. Drawing on another lifelong passion — food — she began selling baked goods and preserves at her son’s school each week. Jams, carrot cakes, pickles, and pesto filled her table, but it was the pesto that customers kept coming back for.

Listening closely to what people loved, Kathleen made a bold decision: she streamlined her offering, letting go of everything else to focus on what truly resonated. Pesto Princess was born, not as a polished brand, but as an authentic expression of skill, intuition, and responsiveness.

That instinct to listen — to customers, to community, to opportunity — remains one of the defining features of her success.

When SPAR opened the door

One of Kathleen’s earliest supporters was a day-one customer who suggested she approach a retailer. Encouraged by that belief, Kathleen walked into her local KWIKSPAR Observatory and shared her product with owner–manager Alcino Pecego. Rather than dismissing a small start-up, he said yes, offering space in the convenience food fridge to test customer response.

The results were immediate. Sales were strong, feedback was positive, and confidence grew. That initial listing did more than move jars off a shelf; it gave Pesto Princess access to market, visibility, and validation at a critical stage. From there, the brand expanded into top SPAR stores across the Western Cape, supported by a retailer that understands the value of nurturing local entrepreneurs.

This is where SPAR’s role becomes central. As a retailer deeply rooted in its communities, SPAR has long recognised that supporting small, women-led businesses strengthens not only the supply chain, but the social fabric around it. For Kathleen, SPAR was not merely a stockist — it was a catalyst.

Business as a force for good

Kathleen has always believed that business should do more than generate profit. That philosophy found powerful expression through Pesto Princess’s partnership with Ladles of Love; the nonprofit organisation founded by Danny Diliberto. Through the Buy One Give One soup campaign — now in its 10th year — every Pesto Princess soup sold through SPAR helps provide a hot meal to a child in need.

SPAR is the only retailer in South Africa to list the Pesto Princess fresh soup range, recognising not only its quality and innovation, but its potential for social impact. These soups are fresh, plant-based, and free from preservatives, fillers, dairy, and wheat — but their greatest ingredient is intention.

Together, SPAR and Pesto Princess have helped raise over R1 million, translating into thousands of meals served to food-insecure children and early childhood development centres. Without SPAR owners and managers

nationwide choosing to support and list the range, this level of impact would not have been possible.

It is a partnership that reflects shared values; nourishment, dignity, and care for community.

Showing up for women, together

The relationship between SPAR and Pesto Princess continues to evolve. In 2025, Kathleen and her team proudly donated over 600 jars of pesto to the SPAR Women’s Cancer Event in the Western Cape — a premium, awarenessdriven fundraiser conceptualised by Elsabe van Zyl. The event not only raised vital funds, but also reinforced the idea that women-led brands can actively support women’s well-being and health initiatives.

For Kathleen, participation in such initiatives is non-negotiable. It is part of how she measures success; not merely in turnover, but in contribution.

From kitchen table to national footprint

More than 25 years since its humble beginnings, Pesto Princess has grown into a thriving operation. The business now employs around 100 staff and operates from an accredited, food-safe facility in Cape Town. Over 22 tonnes of fresh product are handmade and sold each month through major retailers and foodservice distributors nationwide. While fresh pesto remains the brand’s signature, the range has expanded to include spice pastes, hummus, nourishing soups, and convenient

cooking sauces — products designed for busy households and professional kitchens alike. Whether serving home cooks or chefs, the focus remains the same; flavour, quality, and trust.

Kathleen is now supported by a CEO, Lesley Grimbeek, allowing her to remain closely involved in the creative and values-driven aspects of the brand while ensuring operational excellence.

Lessons in balance and bravery

As a female founder, Kathleen is candid about the challenges of entrepreneurship. Business can be allconsuming, and success often comes with personal trade-offs. Her advice to young women is honest and grounded; money will come and go, but time with loved ones cannot be replaced.

“If I have a regret,” she reflects, “it’s not going on more family holidays when my children were young.”

It is a message that resonates deeply within #CelebrateHer — a reminder that success is not only about growth, but about balance, well-being, and choice.

Celebrating her — and what she represents

Pesto Princess is more than a brand. It is a living example of what happens when creativity meets courage, and when retailers such as SPAR choose to invest in people, not only products. Kathleen’s journey celebrates the individuality and spirit of women who build businesses with heart and the communities that rise alongside them.

In celebrating her, SPAR celebrates the belief that when women are supported, everyone benefits. That is the true power of partnership, and that is the promise of #CelebrateHer.

From Rising to Thriving to

A journey of movement from joy to recognition and shared strength

Every era tells a story. Over the past few years, the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town has quietly but powerfully traced the evolving story of women; how we rise, how we grow, and how we now stand confidently in the light, ready to be celebrated. From the resilience of #IRise, through the intentional growth of #Twenty20Thrive, to the joyful affirmation of #CelebrateHer, this journey reflects not only changing race themes, but the emotional and lived realities of women across South Africa. Each chapter has met women exactly where they were and invited them to take one meaningful step forward.

#IRise: Finding our feet again

The journey began in a time of rebuilding. In 2021, the world was still navigating uncertainty, loss, and exhaustion. Many women felt depleted, emotionally, physically, and financially. Against this backdrop, #IRise emerged as a message of courage and renewal.

The theme encouraged women to rise “like a phoenix from the ashes”, to push past boundaries, reclaim their energy, and begin again, even if the first

step felt small. It wasn’t about speed or performance. It was about showing up. About remembering that strength still existed, even when life felt heavy.

For many women, #IRise marked the moment they reconnected with movement – walking, running or simply choosing to participate. It reminded them that rising doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like putting on a T-shirt, pinning a race number, and saying: I’m still here.

#ItsPersonal and #ChooseYou: Claiming identity and selfworth

As women found their footing again, the focus shifted inward. In 2023, #ItsPersonal invited participants to define themselves on their own terms, and to honour individual stories, styles, and reasons for being there. Women were encouraged to reclaim their personal stories.

Then came 2024’s #ChooseYou; a theme rooted in self-worth and self-care. It recognised a truth many women know well; we spend much of our lives pouring into others, often at our own expense. #ChooseYou was a reminder that caring for yourself is not selfish; it is essential. Together, these themes marked a shift. Women were no longer merely rising from difficulty; they were consciously choosing themselves. Filling their own cups. Laying foundations for something more sustainable.

#Twenty20Thrive: Growing with intention

Building on that foundation, the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town moved into a season of growth. #Twenty20Thrive celebrated progress over perfection. Thriving was framed not as flawlessness, but as momentum; showing up, levelling up, and embracing possibility. Women were encouraged to move forward with confidence, at their own pace. Whether walking, running or cheering from the sidelines, participation itself became a statement: I am investing in my well-being.

This era reflected a collective readiness. Women weren’t merely surviving anymore. They were growing stronger, more connected, and more aware of their own value.

#CelebrateHer: A season of joyful recognition

And now, in 2026, the journey arrives at #CelebrateHer; a theme that feels both natural and powerful in its simplicity.

If #IRise was about resilience, and #Twenty20Thrive about growth, then #CelebrateHer is about recognition. It honours women not only for overcoming challenges, but for shining in everyday life. For their courage, compassion,

ambition, and contribution to their families and communities.

This is a season of joy. Of colour, warmth and connection. #CelebrateHer reflects abundance and togetherness – the idea that when women stand together, everyone benefits.

Importantly, celebration here is not reserved for a select few. It belongs to every woman who shows up. Every pace. Every body. Every story.

A movement bigger than Race Day

What makes this evolution so meaningful is that it mirrors real life. Women rise when times are tough. They choose themselves when they’ve been neglected. They thrive when supported. And now, they are ready to be celebrated – not conditionally, but wholeheartedly.

The SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town has become more than a race. It is a shared ritual. A place where women gather, move, laugh, reflect, and belong. Where community replaces comparison. Where achievement is measured not only in kilometres, but in courage.

On Race Day, women don’t move alone. They carry the stories of past seasons with them, the rising, the choosing, the thriving, and step into a future defined by joy and pride.

The journey continues

#CelebrateHer does not mark an ending. It marks a moment of pause and appreciation. A reminder to look back and see how far we’ve come, and to look around and see who we’re celebrating alongside. When women are celebrated, not only for what they endure, but for who they are, something powerful happens. Confidence grows, communities strengthen, and the journey continues – brighter than ever.

Still Running. Still Rising.

Glenrose Xaba made history in 2024, becoming the first South African since 2019 to claim victory in the SPAR Grand Prix! With unwavering determination and a relentless drive, she’s now setting her sights on building even further on this incredible achievement in 2026. The last time a South African had won this prestigious title? None other than Glenrose herself in 2018.

Where Experience Meets Excellence

At the pinnacle of the 2025 series stood Glenrose Xaba, whose performances throughout the season were nothing short of exceptional. By winning all five races in the series, she secured her third SPAR Grand Prix title, becoming the first black South African woman to achieve this remarkable milestone. Her consistency, confidence, and sheer determination set the tone for a season that celebrated excellence at the highest level.

Yet while the overall victory was historic, the heart of the 2025 Grand Prix lay in its depth – in the stories unfolding across age categories, particularly among the older runners who continue to redefine what longevity in sport looks like.

A series that grows with its athletes

One of the defining strengths of the SPAR Grand Prix is its recognition that athletic careers do not end when youth fades. Instead, they evolve. Through age-category competition and meaningful prize structures, SPAR has created a space where women are encouraged to continue competing, setting goals that are realistic, rewarding, and deeply motivating.

This philosophy was evident throughout the 2025 series, and nowhere more so than in the Cape Town race, where veteran and master athletes delivered performances that were both inspiring and fiercely competitive.

Grace de Oliveira:

A lifetime of commitment

Few athletes embody the spirit of longevity like Grace de Oliveira. With a SPAR Women’s Challenge history stretching back to the early 1990s, Grace’s journey through the series reads like a living archive of women’s running in South Africa.

In 2025, Grace once again stood proudly on the podium in the Grandmaster 60+ category, finishing second overall in the series. Her presence is a reminder that dedication does not fade with time; it deepens. Grace’s career spans open, veteran, master, and grandmaster categories, with each phase marked by renewed purpose and evolving goals.

For her, SPAR’s recognition of age categories is not merely motivational; it is affirming. It says to older women: You still matter, your effort still counts, and your journey is worth celebrating.

Judy Bird:

Evergreen excellence

In the 60+ category, Judy Bird once again demonstrated why she is regarded as one of the most respected figures in women’s distance running. Her consistency across the series earned her top honours in her age category, reinforcing a career defined by discipline, resilience, and love for the sport.

For Judy, the SPAR Women’s Challenge is more than a race; it is a cornerstone of her year, a place where effort is recognised, and older athletes are treated with the same respect afforded to elite open competitors. She speaks openly about how rare it is for older women to be acknowledged so visibly in sport, and how SPAR’s commitment to doing exactly that has kept her motivated to return to the start line season after season.

Her message to other women is simple and powerful; movement is a gift, and age should never be a reason to stop claiming it.

Nancy Will: Still Showing Up

For Nancy Will, standing on the start line of the SPAR Women’s Challenge is something she approaches with gratitude and pride. After many years of participation, she describes it simply as a privilege to still be there; a sentiment that captures the quiet strength behind her continued commitment.

Nancy values the inclusivity of the race, particularly the way it encourages older women to take part and feel welcomed. She believes that the SPAR Women’s Challenge sends an important message; movement does not have an expiry date, and participation matters at every age.

Her motivation is not driven by accolades alone, but by the opportunity to challenge herself and remain part of a supportive, like-minded community. Looking back, Nancy feels proud of what she has achieved and encourages other women to keep going, in whatever way feels right for them.

Her story reflects the heart of the Grand Prix; endurance is sometimes simply the choice to show up, again and again.

Marlene James:

Pride, Purpose and Persistence

For Marlene James, the SPAR Women’s Challenge has become a cherished privilege built over many years of participation. Each time she steps onto the start line, she does so with gratitude — thankful to still compete and contribute to a race she holds close to her heart. The Grand Prix’s challenge, camaraderie, and enduring sense of community have kept her returning season after season.

What Marlene values most is SPAR’s recognition of older athletes. In a sporting world where veteran competitors are often overlooked, the SPAR Women’s Challenge continues to acknowledge age-category winners at prize-giving ceremonies, validating the dedication and commitment that come with longevity in sport. For Marlene, that recognition matters deeply.

She is a passionate advocate for visibility, encouraging older runners to wear their age-category tags with pride. Her message is clear; getting to the start line – whether to run, jog, or walk – is an achievement in itself. Marlene’s journey is a powerful reminder that movement, motivation, and joy do not fade with age; they grow stronger.

Anne Stewart:

Finding new purpose

For Anne Stewart, the SPAR Grand Prix represents a powerful chapter of reinvention. After years focused on longer distances, Anne discovered new confidence and competitiveness in the 10km format through the SPAR Women’s Challenge.

Her performances across the 2025 series earned her a podium position in the 50+ category, but more importantly, the series gave her a renewed sense of belonging. Anne speaks about how the Grand Prix allows athletes to travel, reconnect with friends across provinces, and form lasting relationships, turning competition into community.

Her experience reflects a broader truth of the SPAR Grand Prix series; that motivation is sustained not only by medals, but by connection.

Celebrating women, always

What unites all these stories is SPAR’s unwavering commitment to celebrating women at every stage of life. From junior athletes finding their feet to grandmasters redefining endurance, the SPAR Grand Prix creates space for ambition without exclusion.

The Cape Town race, in particular, stands as a testament to this ethos. It is a race where walkers, joggers, elites, juniors and veterans share the same streets, the same cheers, and the same sense of belonging. Where age is worn with pride, and effort is honoured in all its forms.

As SPAR continues to invest in women’s sport, the Grand Prix leaves a clear legacy; excellence has no expiry date. Strength evolves, confidence deepens, and celebration becomes richer when it includes everyone.

This is what it means to #CelebrateHer, not just the fastest, but the faithful; not just the youngest, but the enduring. Every stride matters. Every woman belongs.

Ready, Set, Refresh Your Power Move in Style

Race Day is all about enjoying the moment, moving with confidence and celebrating every step. A little preparation goes a long way in making sure you feel comfortable, relaxed and ready to soak up the joy of #CelebrateHer. From what you wear to what you carry, these Race Day must-haves will help you focus on the experience – connecting with others, looking after yourself and celebrating the woman you are.

Nurture Your Body

SPAR Savoury & Salty Assorted Cocktails

SPAR Savoury Pretzels

SPAR Coated

Cashew Nuts Roasted Corn Flavour

SPAR Active Snack

Bar 5 x 40g Assorted SPAR Cheese Flavoured Potato Crisps

Sip Your Strength

You’ve trained. You’ve shown up. Now seal the moment. Choose the SPAR juice that celebrates you. From fearless to inspiring, every flavour is made for Race Day energy. Don’t start (or finish) without one — hydrate, recharge, and celebrate every powerful step.

SPAR Sweets Loads of Liquorice, Sour Squirms, Jelly Hearts, Wine Gums, Minty Chews

SPAR White

Cheddar Flavoured Popcorn

SPAR Cheese Flavoured Corn Chips

SPAR Potato Chips Assorted

Strong

Finding fresh energy with small moves and big balance

There’s a certain moment every woman recognises, when the day feels heavier than it should. The alarm rings too early, the to-do list feels endless, and energy feels like something reserved for “other people”. But this year’s #CelebrateHer reminds us of something powerful; fresh energy doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from choosing yourself, even in the smallest ways.

Fitness isn’t only about race numbers, finish lines or fast times. For many women, it begins quietly, with a stretch in the morning, a walk around the block, or a deep breath before the day begins, which is exactly where balance lives.

Energy starts with permission

So many women believe they need to be “ready” before they begin. Fitter. Stronger. Less tired. But energy doesn’t arrive first – it’s created through movement, care, and kindness towards yourself.

This year’s Cape Town SPAR Women’s Challenge celebrates women exactly where they are. Whether you’re training for your first 5km, returning after a long break, or simply looking to feel better in your body, your journey counts.

Fresh energy begins when you give yourself permission to start small.

Movement that fits real life

Not every woman has time for long gym sessions or structured workouts. Life is full – careers, families, responsibilities, and expectations all compete for space. That’s why everyday movement matters more than perfect plans.

A short walk after dinner. Taking the stairs instead of the lift. Stretching while the kettle boils. These moments add up. They wake up your body gently and remind you that movement doesn’t have to be extreme to be effective.

Consistency beats intensity every time, especially when you’re starting out.

The power of gentle strength

Many women underestimate the strength they already carry. Strength isn’t only visible in muscles; it’s found in endurance, resilience, and showing up when times are tough. When you begin to move your body regularly, even lightly, you’ll notice changes beyond fitness.

Posture improves. Energy lasts longer throughout the day. Confidence grows quietly. You begin to trust your body again. That trust is a form of physical, mental, and emotional balance.

Rest is part of the plan

In a world that praises productivity, rest often feels like a luxury, but rest is

not the opposite of fitness, it’s part of it. Muscles recover. Minds reset. Energy rebuilds.

Simple self-care rituals can shift your entire day. A few minutes of stretching before bed. Putting your phone down earlier. Drinking enough water. Stepping outside for fresh air. These choices tell your body it’s safe to slow down. And when you slow down, energy returns naturally.

Gratitude fuels motivation

One of the most powerful – and overlooked – fitness tools is gratitude. Appreciating what your body can do, instead of focusing on what it can’t yet, changes everything.

Thank your legs for carrying you through the day. Appreciate your lungs for each deep breath. Honour your heart for its steady strength.

Gratitude turns movement into celebration, and that’s exactly what #CelebrateHer stands for. Every step is a thank you. Every stretch is recognition. Every walk is a moment of pride.

Fitness as self-respect

Choosing movement is an act of self-respect, not punishment. You don’t move because you “should”. You move because you deserve to feel strong, capable, and energised.

When fitness comes from care rather than pressure, it becomes sustainable. It becomes something you look forward to, not something you avoid.

This race season isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about reconnecting with yourself.

Celebrating everyday victories

Not every win needs a stopwatch. Some victories are quieter:

• Choosing a walk instead of scrolling

• Stretching even when you feel tired

• Showing up for yourself on a busy day

• Trying again after missing a week

These moments deserve celebration. They are proof that balance is built through intention, not perfection. As Race Day approaches, remember that the journey itself matters. The laughter, the shared steps, the courage to start –

that’s where the real energy lives. Start with what feels manageable. Even five minutes counts. Build slowly, celebrate often, and remember that every small step is a powerful act of selfcare. We don’t chase energy, we create it. Together, we move, we grow, and we #CelebrateHer.

Easy Start

Simple Exercises to Build Fresh Energy

No equipment. No pressure. JUST MOVEMENT.

1. March on the spot (2–3 minutes)

Lift your knees gently and swing your arms. Keep your chest upright. Great for warming up and boosting circulation.

2. Wall push-ups (10–12 reps)

Stand an arm’s length from a wall. Place your hands on the wall and lower your chest towards it, then push back Builds upper-body strength safely.

3. Chair squats (8–10 reps)

Sit back onto a chair and stand up again, using your legs. Strengthens thighs and supports everyday movement.

4. Standing side bends (5 each side)

Lift one arm overhead and gently bend to the side Improves flexibility and relieves tension.

5. Heel raises (10–15 reps) Hold onto a chair, lift your heels, then lower slowly. Strengthens calves and improves balance.

6. Gentle walk (5–15 minutes) Indoors, outdoors, wherever feels comfortable. Build endurance and clear the mind.

Celebration doesn’t begin at a finish line. It doesn’t wait for a smaller size, a stronger reflection, or a future version of yourself. Celebration begins now, exactly where you are. That’s the heart of #CelebrateHer: honouring women not for who they might become, but for who they already are. For too long, women have been taught to view their bodies as projects; something to fix, shrink, sculpt or apologise for. What if we changed the conversation? What if beauty were no longer measured by comparison, but by comfort? What if movement were chosen for joy, not punishment?

This season, the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town invites every woman to step into a kinder relationship with her body; one built on respect, gratitude, and self-acceptance.

Your body is not a before-andafter story

Your body has lived a full, complex life. It has carried you through long days, emotional seasons, celebrations, and challenges. It has adapted, protected you, healed, and held you steady when life felt uncertain.

Stretch marks, scars, softness, and strength are not flaws; they are proof of living. Body positivity isn’t about loving every inch every day; it’s about choosing not to wage war against yourself. It’s about neutrality, compassion, and understanding that your body deserves care regardless of how you feel about it in any given moment. Self-acceptance is not giving up; it’s choosing peace.

Movement as celebration, not correction

One of the most powerful shifts a woman can make is redefining why she moves. When exercise is framed as correction, it becomes exhausting and unsustainable. When movement is framed as celebration, it becomes freeing.

Walk because it clears your mind. Stretch because it releases tension. Dance because it makes you smile. Movement doesn’t need to look a certain way to “count”. There is no ideal pace, distance or body type. The most meaningful movement is the kind that makes you feel more connected to yourself, not more critical. On Race Day, thousands of women will move together at different speeds, with different stories, bodies, and motivations, with every single one of them belonging.

Beauty begins with how you speak to yourself

The way you talk to yourself matters. Your inner voice shapes how you show up in the world. Body-positive living often starts by noticing – and gently challenging – the language you use about your body.

Instead of “I hate my legs,” try “My legs carry me.”

Instead of “I’m too slow,” try “I’m moving at my pace.”

These small shifts create space for kindness. Over time, they build confidence that doesn’t rely on mirrors or scales, but on self-respect.

Everyday

ways

to celebrate yourself and your body

Celebration doesn’t need to be loud or public. Often, it’s found in small, intentional moments of care.

• Dress for comfort and confidence Choose clothes that allow you to breathe, move and feel like yourself. Comfort is not a compromise; it’s a form of self-honouring.

• Fuel your body with care

Eat in a way that supports energy, not guilt. Enjoy food without labels or judgement. Nourishment is not something to earn.

• Create a movement ritual you enjoy

Whether it’s a morning stretch, an evening walk, or a weekly class with friends, let movement feel like something you get to do.

• Rest without apology

Your worth is not measured by productivity. Rest is essential, not indulgent.

• Celebrate progress that no one else sees

Feeling stronger. Sleeping better. Showing up when you didn’t want to. These wins matter.

• Say thank you to your body

It may feel unfamiliar, but gratitude is transformative. Thank your body for what it allows you to experience each day.

Community changes everything

Body positivity grows stronger when it’s shared. When women move together, laugh together, and support one another, comparison loses its power. The SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town is not about who finishes first; it’s about finishing together.

When you cheer another woman on, you reinforce your own belonging. When you celebrate her courage, you mirror your own. This is what #CelebrateHer looks like in action; collective joy, shared strength, and mutual respect.

You are already worthy of celebration

You don’t need to wait. Not for confidence. Not for motivation. Not for change. Celebration is available now – in your breath, your movement, your presence. This race season, let beauty be defined by authenticity. Let movement be guided by joy. Let self-acceptance be the foundation on which everything else grows. The most powerful thing a woman can do is show up as herself – and celebrate that.

YOU Bold, Bright, Bold, Bright, YOU

Everyday Glow to Race Day Bold

The 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town is more than just a race; it’s a celebration of strength, community, and the joy of showing up exactly as you are. With its uplifting #CelebrateHer theme and vibrant palette of sunflowers, white daisies, and bold magenta, this event is all about movement, confidence, and self-expression. When it comes to beauty, essence believes in the same philosophy; makeup and skincare should enhance your natural radiance while giving you the freedom to play, express, and shine. Whether you’re embracing a soft, feel-good everyday look or going bold for Race Day, here’s how to create two beauty moments that feel effortless, expressive, and completely you!

The Soft Everyday Look

Fresh, Hydrated and Naturally Radiant

The foundation of any great makeup look starts with skincare that works with your skin, not against it. For everyday glow, hydration and comfort are key.

Start by refreshing tired eyes with the essence hydro gel eye patches eyespresso 30 pairs. With a cooling, refreshing texture, they help reduce puffiness and create an instant eye-awakening effect – perfect for busy mornings or post-workout recovery. Formulated with caffeine and hyaluronic acid, they leave the under-eye area looking smoother and more radiant.

Next, prep your skin with the essence bouncy plump smoothing primer. Its hydrating, plumping formula smooths the skin with a subtle blurring effect, making it ideal for a clean, natural base. Wear it alone for a fresh-faced look or under makeup to enhance longevity, all while enjoying its cooling sorbet-like texture and juicy watermelon scent!

For lips, keep things soft and effortless with the essence satin glow luminous shine lipstick. Its richly pigmented yet comfortable formula delivers a sophisticated sheen that’s perfect for everyday wear. Compact and easy to apply, it’s ideal for touch-ups wherever the day takes you!

To frame your face effortlessly, reach for the essence brow lift & freeze glue 01 clear control with its transparent, ultrastrong hold, this easy-to-use formula shapes and sets brows in place for a softly laminated effect that still feels natural.

Finish with a light spritz of the essence bouncy plump hydrating dewy spray to lock in hydration and give skin that healthy, glowy finish!

Race Day Beauty

Bold Colour, Energy & Expression

Race Day is your moment to turn up the colour and celebrate movement, joy, and individuality. Inspired by the SPAR Women’s Challenge Cape Town colour story, this look is all about playful pops and long-lasting performance.

Start by prepping lids with the essence jelly grip undereye primer stick. Its gripping jelly texture intensifies colour payoff and ensures a crease-free finish that lasts even through movement, heat, and celebration.

Add sparkle and dimension with the essence jelly jewels glitter stick 01 frosted twinkle, gliding it across lids or cheekbones for instant shimmer. Available in three shades, shade 03 golden hour is a standout for a warm, sunlit glow that beautifully echoes the sunflower tones of Race Day. To complete the eye look, swipe on the iconic essence lash princess false lash effect mascara purple. Loved for its dramatic false lash effect, this mascara delivers bold volume and defined length.

For lips, reach for the essence hydra kiss lip tint berry crush 06, for colour that feels fresh, lightweight, and effortless. This hydrating lip tint delivers a natural-looking flush with a soft, luminous finish, making it ideal for Race Day when comfort is as important as colour. The weightless formula keeps lips feeling moisturised while adding a vibrant berry tone.

Finish off your look with the essence soft touch bouncy blush, which delivers longlasting, highly pigmented colour that blends effortlessly and builds beautifully. Paired with the essence baby got bronze shimmering bronzer, your skin is wrapped in a warm, golden glow, as its silky smooth formula melts seamlessly into your skin, creating a luminous, sun-kissed effect that enhances your natural radiance.

Whether you’re running, walking, cheering or celebrating, beauty should move with you. essence’s skincareinfused makeup is designed to support confidence, creativity and comfort – empowering women to express themselves, naturally or boldly, every step of the way.

Because #CelebrateHer isn’t about perfection; it’s about joy, individuality, and showing up exactly as you are.

Follow @essence.cosmetics.africa on Instagram for the latest news, trends, and competitions!

The Strength in Stillness, The Power in Pause The Strength in Stillness, The Power in Pause

Why rest, recovery, and gratitude are essential parts of thriving

In a world that applauds busyness, rest can feel like rebellion. Many women move from one responsibility to the next, juggling careers, families, relationships, and expectations, often without stopping to breathe. Yet true wellness – and lasting strength – is not built through constant motion. It is built in the pause.

This season of #CelebrateHer invites women to redefine what strength looks like; not as endless endurance, but as balance. Not as pushing through at all costs, but as knowing when to stop, soften, and recover.

Rest is not weakness –it is wisdom

Somewhere along the way, rest became something we felt we had to earn. As if slowing down required justification, but the body and mind don’t thrive under constant pressure. Muscles need recovery to grow stronger. Minds need stillness to stay clear. Emotions need space to be processed, not suppressed.

Rest is not quitting. It is choosing sustainability. It is listening to the signals your body sends before exhaustion becomes burnout. When women honour rest, they protect their energy, creativity, and joy.

True resilience is not about never stopping. It’s about stopping before you break.

Recovery fuels progress

Recovery is an active part of wellness. It allows the nervous system to reset and the body to repair. Without it, even the most well-intentioned routines can become draining.

Recovery can look different for every woman. For some, it’s physical –stretching, sleep, gentle movement. For others, it’s emotional – boundaries, quiet time, or simply saying no. What matters is recognising that recovery is not time wasted. It is time invested.

Just as a runner doesn’t train hard every day, life requires rhythm; effort followed by ease. This balance creates momentum that lasts.

Gratitude as a source of strength

One of the most powerful tools for resilience is gratitude. Not forced positivity,

but intentional noticing. Gratitude shifts attention from what’s missing to what’s present. It grounds you in reality, rather than anxiety.

Gratitude doesn’t ignore challenges; it places them in perspective. When women acknowledge small wins – a deep breath, a good conversation, a moment of calm – the nervous system responds with a sense of safety. That safety builds emotional resilience.

Try asking yourself at the end of the day: What supported me today?

The answer may be simple, but its impact is profound.

Mindfulness as celebration

Mindfulness is often misunderstood as something complicated or timeconsuming. In truth, it’s simply the act of being present, of noticing your life as it unfolds.

Mindfulness can turn ordinary moments into celebration; feeling sunlight on your skin; savouring a cup of tea; noticing laughter; or allowing yourself to enjoy a moment without rushing to the next.

In a culture of constant distraction, presence becomes a gift. When you are present, you honour your experience. That, too, is a form of celebration.

The cost of always being switched on

Technology keeps us connected, informed, and productive – but it also keeps many women perpetually “switched on”. Notifications interrupt rest. Screens extend work into evenings. Comparison creeps in quietly through endless scrolling.

Being constantly plugged in keeps the nervous system alert, making true rest difficult. Over time, this leads to fatigue, irritability, and reduced focus. The danger isn’t technology itself, but the absence of boundaries.

Choosing rest is an act of selfrespect.

Rest requires disconnection. Silence. Space.

Choosing to pause digital devices is not about missing out – it’s about tuning back in to yourself.

Creating space to pause

Rest doesn’t require a retreat or a perfect routine. It can be woven gently into daily life.

Set technology boundaries

Create phone-free times, especially before bed and during meals. Even small breaks from screens can calm the mind.

Protect your sleep

Sleep is foundational. Prioritise consistent rest by winding down earlier and creating a calming bedtime ritual.

Schedule nothing

Allow space in your week with no agenda. Rest doesn’t always need a purpose.

Move gently

Stretching, slow walks or mindful breathing helps release tension without draining energy.

Say no without guilt

Every no is a yes to your well-being.

Practise micro-pauses

Pause between tasks. Take three deep breaths. Look out the window. These moments reset the nervous system.

Create a gratitude ritual

Write down one thing each day that supported you. Let appreciation become a habit.

Rest as self-respect

Choosing rest is an act of self-respect. It sends a message to yourself: I matter beyond what I produce. When women rest, they reclaim ownership of their energy.

In the spirit of #CelebrateHer, rest becomes something to honour – not hide. It is part of showing up fully, with clarity and compassion. It allows women to continue giving, leading, and loving without losing themselves in the process.

Strength includes stopping

This season, let rest be part of your definition of success. Let gratitude anchor you. Let mindfulness turn small moments into celebration.

The strongest women are not those who never pause – but those who know when to stop, breathe, and begin again with intention.

SPAR’s Power of Pause & Engage

In a world that never seems to slow down, SPAR is reminding South Africans of something deeply human; the power of being present. Through its regional franchise rugby sponsorships, SPAR is using the game not only as a sport, but as a catalyst for real connection – bringing families and communities together around shared moments, food, laughter, and belonging.

Similar to wellness, rugby is about rhythm. There are moments of intensity, but also moments of pause – where breath is caught, connection is made, and presence matters. SPAR’s campaign encourages us to step away from constant distraction and return to what truly restores us; time together, attention, and shared experience.

When we pause long enough to be present, with ourselves and with others, the noise quietens, resilience grows, and strength takes on a deeper meaning. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply stop … and be there.

Her Kitchen, Her Heart

Simple food, meaningful

moments

Every kitchen tells a story. It’s where care is shared, memories are made, and love is often expressed in the simplest ways – a meal prepared with intention, a recipe passed down, a moment of nourishment created for yourself or someone else. In the spirit of #CelebrateHer, we celebrate the kitchen as more than a place to cook. It’s a space of connection, comfort, and creativity, where women feed not only bodies, but hearts. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends or just yourself, these recipes are a reminder that taking time to nourish is a beautiful act of self-care; one that celebrates her, every single day.

CARROT CAKE

30 minutes. Prep time: 50 minutes. Cook time: 1 Cake

Makes:

Ingredients

• 250 ml (1 cup) oil

• 500 ml (2 cups) brown sugar

• 3 SPAR eggs

• 750 ml (3 cups) cake flour

• 5 ml (1 tsp) bicarbonate of soda

• 10 ml (2 tsp) baking powder

• 5 ml (1 tsp) ground nutmeg

• 5 ml (1 tsp) ground cloves

• 5 ml (1 tsp) ground cinnamon

• 10 ml (2 tsp) vanilla essence

• 1 tin (440 g) SPAR pineapple crush, drained

• 500 ml (2 cups) grated SPAR Freshline carrots

• 250 ml (1 cup) SPAR pecan nuts, chopped

• 250 ml (1 cup) raisins or fruitcake mixture

Topping

• 125 ml (½ cup) butter, at room temperature

• 125 g SPAR cream cheese

• 500 ml (2 cups) icing sugar, sifted

• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla essence

• 10 ml (2 tsp) grated zest of 2 SPAR Freshline oranges

• Pecan nuts, to decorate

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Grease a round ring pan.

• Mix the oil, sugar and eggs. Sift the dry ingredients together. Mix the dry ingredients with the egg mixture. Add the vanilla essence, pineapple, carrots, nuts and raisins. Mix well.

• Put the mixture in the pan and bake for approximately 50 minutes. Allow to cool and then remove from the pan.

• To make the topping, mix all the ingredients, except the pecan nuts, until smooth and spread it over the carrot cake when cool. Decorate with pecan nuts.

PINEAPPLE FRIDGE TART

30 minutes. Prep time: 30 minutes. Cook time: 6-8

Serves:

Ingredients

• 1 × 200 g packet SPAR tennis biscuits

• ± 100 ml (2/5 cup) melted butter

• 1 × packet pineapple jelly

• 250 ml (1 cup) hot water

• 1 × 385 g tin SPAR sweetened condensed milk

• 1 × 440 g tin SPAR crushed pineapple pieces (keep the juice)

Method

• Crush the tennis biscuits. Add the melted butter and combine. Push into the base of a pie dish.

• Make the jelly with the hot water, then add 250 ml (1 cup) pineapple juice and the remaining water.

• Add the condensed milk and pineapple pieces.

• Pour over the base, flatten, and leave to set in the fridge.

20 minutes.

Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 1 Loaf

Makes: Ingredients

• 180 g self-raising flour

• 5 ml (1 level tsp) baking powder

• 180 g (¾ cup) SPAR castor sugar

• 2 large SPAR eggs

• 60 ml (4 Tbsp) milk

• Grated lemon rind

Lemon drizzle

• 120 g (½ cup) SPAR castor sugar

• Juice of 1 SPAR Freshline lemon

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180 °C.

• Put all the ingredients into a food processor and mix for 20 seconds or until the mixture is smooth.

• Bake in a large greased loaf tin for approximately 25 minutes (lower the heat to 160 °C when you put the loaf into the oven).

• To make the lemon drizzle, dissolve the castor sugar in the lemon juice. Mix vigorously with a whisk (do not heat). Spoon the drizzle over the hot lemon cake when it comes out of the oven and leave the cake in the tin until it is cool.