“Growing up as a farmer’s daughter, I was taught to respect my elders,” says Susan Abro, a prominent Durban-based attorney specialising in family law. “My parents treated all staff equally, which instilled the values early on which still govern my life.” Though she had an interest in pursuing multiple careers after school, none were as appropriate for women at the time as law. After qualifying, Abro was a partner in a large legal firm for the first five years of her career. “I soon realised that in order to follow my passion for advocating for gender equality, children’s rights, and legal structures, I would need to go on my own.” Having played a pivotal role in advancing family law in South Africa, Abro today has more than 34 years of legal expertise and is a leading authority in the field. She served as co-chairperson of the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) in 2003 and 2004, and as chairperson of the LSSA Family Law Committee for 20 years. Further afield, she has been recognised for her expertise in international family law, including handling cases across various worldwide jurisdictions under The Hague Convention on the Abduction of Children. A no-nonsense person with a heart of gold, Abro has, through her practice, long been involved with the greater community in advocating for gender equality, children’s rights, and an end to domestic violence. She has also mentored women within and without her profession. “I have a comprehensive and holistic view of the legal landscape for family law, and have been involved in humanitarian work,” she says. “It’s through this lens that I have helped countless families and communities to live with dignity and justice. In my later years, I have managed to use my network and skills to influence others to do good.” Now 60, Abro still runs her own practice and serves as president of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies KwaZuluNatal Council. “I enjoy serving in the greater community in this regard, so I wouldn’t change a thing,” she says. For Abro, a standout career moment was acting as judge at the Durban High Court in December 2005. Though she regrets not applying to become a judge, she says she’s proud of the successful practice she’s built. Abro’s biggest challenge was being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 2009, a group of genetic disorders that cause a slow loss of vision. “My brother, who resides in the United Kingdom, is totally blind and unemployable,” she says. “This condition is progressive, and there’s no available treatment. I’m grateful to have my own business and amazing employees and a strong tribe to assist me.” Managing a small team, Abro says she and her three staff members are more like family. “I face many challenges losing my vision, but I have wonderful individuals who support me as well as amazing technology.” She’d like to be remembered for making an impact as a gender activist, role model, and loyal friend. Viv Anstey As director of the Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute (EOLI) and the Midrasha Adult Education Institute, Viv Anstey has played a significant role in building the Jewish community. “I believe leadership is a practice rather than a position,” she says. “Everyone leads in some way, and my role is to develop and empower people so that they become active citizens who step up.” Having long been a community consultant, Anstey has worked in various leadership positions and established many organisations and teams to sustain them. “Eliot Osrin was a doyen and well-loved leader of Cape Town Jewry, a visionary and mentor to many, including myself,” she says. “When he passed away, the family approached me to set up EOLI in his memory. His legacy has given me the platform to honour his leadership and express my own, thereby securing a strong, vibrant, and thriving Jewish community.” EOLI aims to create a pipeline for leadership succession by upskilling, developing, and empowering current and emerging professional and lay (volunteer) leadership, she says. “The institute designs fully customised biannual, year-long leadership development programmes, workshops, and short courses for the Jewish community, incorporating local and global best practice and a world-class faculty.” Long before establishing EOLI, Anstey started the Midrasha Adult Education Institute as an umbrella organisation in 2005. Midrasha incorporates the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, a project of the Hebrew University, the first inclusive and comprehensive textbased adult Jewish learning programme in South Africa. Throughout her professional career, Anstey has focused on developing and elevating others in the community as professionals and as volunteers. “I have supported people to show up as their best selves, mentored and coached them, and opened doors, carved career paths, and offered skills development,” she says. Taking her skills outside of the Jewish community, Anstey has mentored many entrepreneurs in their fields. Reflecting on her achievements, Anstey considers herself to be blessed to celebrate many milestones in her professional and voluntary careers. “I’m grateful and proud of the organisations I’ve initiated and the rewards I reap in knowing I have had a hand in their birth. Being a mother to my two children has also been a huge blessing,” she says. Like many in leadership roles, she continually seeks to create a better work-life balance. “My professional passion and purpose has provided immense satisfaction and meaning, but at the same time, has placed many demands on me,” Anstey says. She’s inspired by her late father, who was also a communal leader. “From him, I learnt that community is a commitment that enriches your life. He and I served on the South African Jewish Board of Deputies at the same time. He taught me to stand up for what’s right, and champion moral and ethical voices. Ahead of his time, he used his professional skills for the benefit of the community. He welcomed the stranger, and hosted many international Jewish leaders.” Anstey is proud to have emulated all of these qualities. Susan Abro Photographer Romy Becker believes that love of her work shines through in her imagery. She specialises in capturing the most personal moments of motherhood, family, and newborn documentary photography. “I’m invited into people’s homes at a very intimate time of bonding with their families,” she says, “private moments that clients trust me to capture in the most beautiful way. My work is unique as I get to expose rawness and empowerment in motherhood, which allows me to showcase what I do best.” While she’s now based in the United Kingdom (UK), Becker always books shoots when she visits South Africa. “I grew up in Johannesburg, where I loved going to the bush and taking photos with the camera my dad got me,” she says, discussing her path to photography. “I always loved photography, and studied it in high school and after school through the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown.” Yet it was only after having her daughter, Isabella, that Becker knew she wanted to pick up a camera again. “I now knew the direction in which I wanted to go – motherhood, family, and newborn photography was my passion. I started by reaching out to my antenatal groups, friends who had kids, and anyone really who wanted a family or newborn shoot.” From starting out offering shoots for free to photographing celebrities including Carrie Johnson, the wife of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Becker is proof of the power of selfbelief. Off the back of the Johnson shoot, she has had her photographs published in the Daily Mail and has been interviewed by the UK Jewish News. “The motivation to succeed, the drive to get my passion off the ground from scratch and to find the niche of my look and feel, could make me a leader in my field,” she says. While Becker captures the essence of motherhood through her photos, she says the biggest challenge she faces is creating a balance between her work and being a mother herself. Having given birth in September, she now has three children under five who need her. “We live in the UK where help isn’t always available and we have to manage as a family of five on our own, especially with my family being based in South Africa. I spend a lot of time with my clients on shoots, being away from my kids and husband for potentially four shoots a weekend.” Yet, she is grateful to have her husband as a strong support system. Becker hopes to create a lasting legacy through her photos. “I’d like my work to be hung in galleries and people’s homes and be seen as a wonderful reminder of a special time when their babies were young and things were different. This time doesn’t last forever. I want my work to be seen and people to think, ‘Ah, that’s Romy Becker Photography.’ I would like to be remembered as someone who you enjoyed having in your home to capture these memories, and who made you feel relaxed and at ease during these vulnerable moments.” • Romy Becker is also nominated in the Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur category Romy Becker 30 Europcar Women in Leadership Award nominees
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