committee 2022

Umhlanga-Women-Achievers-Robyn-Meloni

Robyn Ann Meloni

President

I am a mother of 3 beautiful daughters aged 24, 21 and 17, 4 naughty but lovable doggies and 2 kitties. I’ve been married to Juan for 25 years and have lived in Durban all this time.

My work life in the past was always in corporate but in 2018 I decided to bite the bullet and become a full-time business owner of Striving Mind Promotions. My journey has been pretty much a rollercoaster ride with unexpected highs and lows and I’ve learned and evolved in many ways since then…
Things I love besides my family are, music, dancing, theatre, outdoors, people watching, being creative and coming up with new concepts plus a regular G&T!

I have not been with UWA for many years but I can attest to the love, unity, support, encouragement and good intentions for the success and growth of our organisation and its members. We hope to nurture and harness these values as we plan and lead our sisterhood through 2022!

Umhlanga-Women-Achievers-Natalie-Burne

Natalie Burne

Vice President

Hi, my name is Natalie Burne. First and foremost, I am a mother to a gorgeous 6-year girl as well as numerous furbabies (My passion).

In the workplace, I’m the Office Manager for a law firm that I run with my husband called Burne & Burne Attorneys, we have been a family business for over 140 years, and it’s always amazing to me to be assisting the next generation of clients that remember my husband’s grandfather.

For my side hustle, because do what you love as well, I own a Honey Fashion Accessories Franchise, where I get to work with Women (and even a few men) nationwide and get to empower them to run their own businesses.

I have been with UWA since 2013 and am proud to have previously served on the committee for 4 years, therefore truly honoured to be serving again. I’m a glass-half-full person and will always try to find a solution to a problem, one day at a time. My motto is to stay positive and keep dreaming.

Umhlanga-Women-Achievers-Ray-Till

Ray Till

Treasurer

After nearly 20 years with SAA as an air hostess and later as an instructress I left to be a stay-at-home Mom for my two laat lametjies.

We moved to Durban in 1998, and in 2001 I joined my husband in starting Richmond Plumbing. We make a good team because where he is weak, I am strong and vice versa.

I joined UWA about ten or more years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed every event. It’s now time for me to give back, and I look forward to my time as treasurer.

Umhlanga-Women-Achievers-Michelle-Dolly

Louise Davies

Secretary

I am currently not working but my past experiences include the owner of Riverside Day Spa, reflexology/reiki/massage therapist and marketing and training with Prefcor.

I have been married for 28 years and have a son of 25 and a daughter of 17. We live in Umhlanga.

Umhlanga-Women-Achievers-Gia-Maestrami

Gia Maestrami

Committee Member

Born in Johannesburg, however, I grew up in Umdloti (and am living back in this awesome little village) and went to Fatima school, matriculating in ‘98. Married once and divorced in 2013 however was blessed with a daughter Bella, who becomes a teenager this year. Truth be told, I’m not ready for that (although she is 12 going on 25 sometimes)! She goes to Atholton Primary, and the hunt is on for high school already!

I have worked in some incredibly large corporate head offices such as Mr Price Home and Estee Lauder, as well as smaller companies such as Quiksilver, A Country For Jane in JHB and now at Vogel van der Sandt Attorneys back in Durbs. All of which have shaped me into someone that tends to make long-lasting friendships in the companies I work for – as well as finally being able to pinpoint my strengths and weaknesses and hone in on those to push myself further.

I attended my first UWA meeting that Bev organised in the middle of last year at Granny Griffs, and felt immediately a part of an amazing sisterhood, and could not wait for the next gathering. I look forward to not only working with you all as the UWA Secretary but also building new friendships that I know I will hold close to my heart.

Umhlanga-Women-Achievers-Michelle-Dolly

Michelle Dolly

Committee Member

I started my real estate career when we moved to Durban in 2006. I worked in the Upper Highway Area, I moved to Umdloti in 2019, and that is where I am currently based.

I work for the Real Estate Company, which is a family-run business. They were previously known as Funnell Properties. I love to find people their dream homes. I started my own business in 2018 – Healing by Michelle.

I lost my brother to cancer, and six weeks later, my mother joined my brother. She, too, had been diagnosed with cancer. I was devastated, and a friend mentioned the course at her studio starting within two weeks. I didn’t have time to think about it and signed up. Well, it was the best decision I made in my life as it helped me process my pain, so I do know that integrated healing does work.

That is why I am so passionate about my healing. I am studying further and learning to help in other ways too.

Umhlanga-Women-Achievers-Michelle-Dolly

Gugu Xulu Dlamini

Committee Member

I am a mother of 4 beautiful children with my late husband who passed on in 2020. I am a Christian and a servant of the people, working with communities under the banner of a political organisation, which is African Transformation Movement (ATM).

I serve in the KZN Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and I am a Branch Executive Committee Chairperson of ward 56 (Ethekwini Municipality). I am a founding member of the Educators’ Union & Allied Workers.

I qualified as a Fashion Designer and a Professional Image Consultant. I founded a company Gugu Image Solutions and I am currently studying Public Administration at MANCOSA. My hobbies are reading, writing, watching sports and networking.