By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
August in South Africa is a time for women to pause, reflect, and realign, marking a symbolic halfway point in the year. While it honours the historic 1956 Women’s March, today it also invites personal reflection and celebration of the freedoms women continue to embrace. This August, Chef Nthabiseng Ngubeni invites women to a soulful weekend of rest and renewal. Held on 8-9th August, payment must be made by the 4th of August. The retreat focuses on mind, body and spiritual alignment, with pampering sessions, empowering conversations, and indulgent food. In partnership with women-led brands, it’s a celebration of softness, strength, and sisterhood—designed to nourish and uplift.
You’re known for your culinary journey, but you also run a thriving events
company. Tell us more about Nthabiseng Printing Events & Catering and what inspired the events side of the business.
My company offers a full event package that takes care of everything you need for your celebration. We manage all the details, so you don’t have to deal with multiple suppliers, giving you one invoice and a stress-free experience.
Your upcoming Women’s Day weekend experience promises more than just a
celebration, it promises transformation. What inspired this kind of immersive
event?
At Nthabiseng P.E.C., we love marking special occasions—our most popular being Mother’s Day, Boy’s Pamper Day, and Women’s Day. Each event brings people together over a shared meal and includes a healing element that makes a real difference.
What makes this Women’s Day event different from the usual one-day seminars and luncheons we’re used to?
Gone are the days of passive events with a goodie bag as the only takeaway. At our gatherings, women come first—engaging fully in activities that spark real change. Before the weekend, guests receive a preparatory exercise to align our healing journey. And afterwards, we host a follow-up session to help keep their vows alive.
Who is this event aimed at, and what kind of women do you hope will sign up?
Our Women’s Day events welcome everyone aged 18 and older, from women in their mid-twenties to our oldest guest, aged 101. If you’re seeking something meaningful and out of the ordinary, you’re in the right place.
Can you walk us through some of the weekend’s highlights, from the Gala
Dinner to Conversations in PJs? What should guests expect?
Many women watch glamorous gala dinners online and wish they could attend—this weekend, they can. Friday night is our version of a Thanksgiving-style celebration: red carpet, welcome drinks, full glam, a buffet dinner, gifts and surprises. After a cosy pyjama wind-down, the next day starts at 6 am with wellness activities, meals, and a powerful group counselling session.
You’ve partnered with ‘Behind the Make-up’ and other women-led businesses. How important is collaboration to you in creating impactful experiences?
In business, I’ve learned you can’t succeed alone. Over the years, I’ve worked with incredible entrepreneurs, some of whom I’ll honour at our event. This year, I’m working full-time with the talented ladies I co-host a podcast with.
Bubunkie & Friends drops every Tuesday! I’m blessed to grow alongside such powerful women like Jane ‘Bubunkie’ Lebombo, who is an actress, musician, and founder of Behind the Make-up. Rhoda Skhosana is a musician, MC, events/stage manager, and co-presenter of Behind the Make-up.
Ndoniyamanzi Mbata is a workflow manager, musician, events/stage/road manager and Debbie Moses is our brilliant NLP coach keeping us accountable for our dreams.
You mentioned counselling as one of the core elements of the weekend. Why was it important to include emotional wellness in this Women’s Day celebration?
Many don’t know that I’m a qualified lay counsellor. I bring that into my events to help ease some of the tension women carry. Women are expected to juggle
everything—finances, emotions, and family needs. Through our work, we aim to support them where the load becomes too heavy to bear alone.
For someone considering signing up, what final message would you give them about why this event is worth it?
Women will enjoy a well-deserved break over the long weekend, time to celebrate
themselves, connect with new sisters, and reflect. We’ll share progress, unpack
challenges, and xplore solutions. It’ll be a 2025 weekend they won’t forget.
For more information, you can reach Chef Nthabiseng on 072 750 7215.
