14/08/2023
BWA Celebration of Women - Truida Prekel
It is a great privilege and honour to feature Truida, an inspiration to many. Truida has been a member of the BWA since the beginning. She is a true enabler of women and we continue to be inspired by her journey and her passion to improve any situation she encounters. Her special talent for creating empowering connections for so many who have crossed her path over the years is legendary.
Here is Truida's story...
"I am Truida Prekel. I can be described in many ways. South African woman, Afrikaans-speaking (though I mostly speak English professionally, and occasionally German). At 82, I work as Innovation and Change Facilitator, in communities and in women’s advancement.
My purpose is to make the world around me a better place by building bridges of mutual understanding and respect, and by sharing the unique SynNovation skills for collaborative creative problem-solving to address the many problems we have in South Africa.
I think my greatest accomplishment is my work over almost 6 decades to help create opportunities for women of all levels and backgrounds, and to build relationships across differences of race, age and gender. I have received various awards – including the Four Outstanding Young South Africans (FOYSA) Award in 1979 and the UNISA SBL gold medal as top student in the Master of Business Leadership (MBL) in 1977. But the real reward is seeing people change and grow, smile and laugh more, or hearing decades later that something that I shared or said, made a lasting difference.
And then a special contribution is that the BWA grew out of work that I did, and workshops I held at UNISA SBL in 1977 to 1981. In that way, with many other women leaders and role models, over almost 45 years, this women’s association has affected the lives of thousands of women (and I believe hundreds of men 😊 ) positively.
On lessons she can share, she says:
Lessons and learnings are always very personal – but I would say, try to make anyone feel better after they have interacted with you, than they felt before. Never stop listening and learning – we can learn from everyone we meet – even if it is how NOT to behave 😊. And take time out to think, be on your own, also to spend memory-making times with loved ones and friends. Be kind to yourself to recharge your energy!
I still wish to spread as widely as possible my knowledge of positive behaviours that create a welcoming climate for people and novel ideas; and to help more people to build positive self-esteem, that helps them to manage situations assertively – and not become either passive or aggressive.
I need to find ways to multiply the knowledge and reach wider, more diverse and younger audiences, either by spreading it digitally, getting access to schools and universities, and / or by writing the books everyone is nagging me to write…
I have been involved in various community initiatives over 6 decades – my late husband used to say I am a serial do-gooder: From promoting collaboration and safety in Muizenberg community (using our SynNovation way), to helping to establish Dialogue for Action, an inclusive network to promote collaboration, mutual support, ideas exchange and synergy among numerous NPOs, foundations and other civil society organisations country-wide.
Asked if she has a personal motto, she said:
I don’t really live by mottos and messages – I think if one senses a situation, considers carefully what facts are at hand, plans and acts positively to address issues or spread goodwill – you usually know intuitively what to do. But bear in mind both your own rights and needs – and those of others. So, fairness and kindness!"
We are truly fortunate that Truida continues to support the endeavours of the BWA and many other organisations.
"We salute you, Truida"!
Truida Prekel
Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Janet Pillai
Ferose Oaten
