When women gather in one room, dressed in pink, embracing their femininity and celebrating one another, you already know something special is about to happen. And what better time to do it than Women’s Month, with Women’s Day just around the corner?
On a beautiful Friday the 7th of August morning in the heart of Johannesburg, Fourways played host to Driven By Her with Suzuki, an empowering gathering that brought women from different walks of life under one roof to connect, converse, learn, laugh and, most importantly, remind one another of just how powerful they are. With South Africa preparing to commemorate Women’s Day, the timing of the gathering couldn’t have been more fitting. It was a celebration of women, their journeys, their resilience and the many different roads they travel to become the women they are today.
From the moment we arrived at Langhams, the Suzuki branding was impossible to miss. But beyond the bright pink aesthetic and polished setup, there was a different kind of energy in the room. It was the smiles at registration, the warm welcome from the Suzuki team and the excitement among the women walking through the doors that made it clear, this was going to be more than just another brand event.
Suzuki had created a space where women could feel seen, heard and celebrated particularly at a time when the country was placing women and their stories firmly in the spotlight. And, just like getting behind the wheel of a Suzuki, we were ready to see where the journey would take us.
The MC for the day, Sam Lehoko, got things moving before handing the stage to the country’s “head girl” — Miss South Africa, Qhawekazi Mazaleni. With Women’s Month providing the perfect backdrop, Qhawekazi used the platform to take us through her personal journey, opening up about some of the challenges she faced growing up, including being bullied, feeling like she wasn’t enough and struggling with self-doubt. But her story wasn’t about the obstacles. It was about finding her voice, discovering her confidence and eventually standing firmly in her purpose. Listening to her journey during Women’s Month was a powerful reminder that the women we celebrate today haven’t necessarily had easy roads to travel. Greatness doesn’t always arrive with a clear road ahead. Sometimes, you must navigate the potholes, take a few wrong turns and keep driving until you find your lane. What a woman. What a soul. What a journey!
Her story resonated deeply because, in one way or another, many of us have had moments where we’ve questioned ourselves. Yet Qhawekazi’s journey showed that the challenges we face don’t have to define us. They can become part of the road that leads us to who we are meant to become.
The conversation then moved into a powerful panel discussion facilitated by Sam Lehoko, who was joined by Sindisiwe Khumalo, Marketing Manager at Orlando Pirates FC, Proteas cricketer Tumi Sekhukhune a South African international cricketer who plays as a right-arm fast-medium bowler and left-handed batter and our very own Miss South Africa. 
And this wasn’t your typical panel discussion.The room quickly became a safe space. The women on stage allowed themselves to be vulnerable, sharing their struggles, their lowest moments, their victories and the lessons they’ve picked up along the way. There were stories of heartbreak, pressure, self-doubt, ambition and resilience. The kind of real conversations that don’t always make it onto Instagram. And that is what made the discussion relatable.
During a month dedicated to celebrating women, the conversation went beyond the usual messages of empowerment. It acknowledged the reality that behind the achievements, titles and social media posts are women who have experienced doubt, disappointment, loss and uncertainty and still found a way to keep moving.
One of the biggest takeaways was simple: we are all going through storms; we’re just navigating them in different boats. Some people may look like they’ve got it all figured out, but behind the scenes, they could be fighting battles we know nothing about. The other important reminder? Storms don’t last forever.
You may get knocked around. You may lose your direction for a moment. You may even have to pull over and reassess the route. But eventually, the clouds clear and you emerge stronger.
Just when we thought the deep conversations had done enough to fill our cups, Suzuki reminded us that healing doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun along the way. Enter the quiz! The room was divided into teams, each carrying powerful names and reminders that every woman should wake up remembering about herself Strength, Purpose and Respect, to name a few.
The quiz featured 50 questions covering general knowledge, Suzuki and sport. And, as expected, things got competitive! Because if there’s one thing Mzansi knows how to do, it’s turning a friendly game into a championship final.
The laughter filled the room, the teamwork came alive and suddenly everyone was fighting for bragging rights. It was the perfect balance to the more emotional conversations of the day. Women were laughing, supporting one another, competing and simply enjoying the moment. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
Women’s Month isn’t only about serious conversations. It is also about celebrating women in all their different forms their laughter, personalities, ambitions, friendships and, yes, their competitive spirit!
Just when we thought the day had reached its peak the conversations, the laughter, the games and all the feel-good moments Suzuki hit us with one more surprise. “One more thing!” And we were like, Yoh, what now? The answer came in the form of a beautiful pair of Adidas sneakers for each guest. Talk about ending the day on a high note!
The sneakers were more than just a gift. They were almost symbolic of the entire theme of the day: keep moving, keep pushing and keep walking confidently in your purpose. And with Women’s Day only days away, it was a fitting reminder that the journey doesn’t stop when the celebrations do.
What stood out about Driven By Her with Suzuki was that it never felt like Suzuki was simply trying to put cars in front of women. Instead, the brand created a platform that celebrated the women behind the wheel not just literally, but metaphorically too. Because being driven isn’t only about horsepower, acceleration or what’s under the bonnet. Sometimes, being driven means having the courage to chase your dreams. It means knowing your worth. It means finding your voice after years of being told to stay quiet.
It means navigating life’s twists and turns, taking the scenic route when necessary and still getting to your destination. And perhaps that is what made Driven By Her such a fitting event to host during Women’s Month and just ahead of Women’s Day. The women in that room aren’t just passengers in their own stories.
They’re in the driver’s seat.
Suzuki simply gave them a space to remind each other of that. As South Africa gets ready to celebrate Women’s Day, the message from Driven By Her is one worth carrying beyond August: Keep moving. Keep growing. Keep showing up. Keep finding your purpose. Because the road may not always be smooth, but when women drive together, support one another and know their worth, there is no telling how far they can go. Driven By Her. Driven by purpose. Driven by strength. Driven by women.
