Me: Please describe yourself in five words?
Lady Zee: Kind, Understanding, Considerate, Adventurous and Happy
Me: Where were you born and what do you love about your country?
Lady Zee: I was born in Mpumalanga, Emalahleni (Witbank). I love South Afrika because of its wide diversity, I love the sun in Summer and the rich cultures we have here.
Me: What was your childhood like?
Lady Zee: My
childhood was pretty special, my parents were not swimming in money but
they made sure that all their 7 kids had the best up- bringing in the
safest neighbourhoods. I was exposed to a lot of good things and didn’t
realise then than to some people it is a distant dream. I did a lot of
camping, sports and travelling through my dad’s work, they provided
everything for their employees.
Me: Top five books you have read?
Lady Zee:1. I write what I like – Steven Bantu Biko
2.Good Morning Mandela – Zelda Le Grange
3. Long walk to freedom – Mr. Nelson Mandele
4. One month to love – Kerry Shook
5. One month to live – Kerry Shook
Me: In your experience as a woman in this country, what is the significance of women’s month in South Africa?
Lady Zee: The
most significant thing during Women’s month in this country for me is
the fact that We have a voice now as women. We were oppressed in more
ways than the apartheid. As an African woman you had no say at home, at
work and publicly. Now we are able to express our views, choose where we
want to live and most importantly we are now able to go to school and
empower ourselves with knowledge as far as we are willing to go. No one
tells us “you have learnt enough, it’s time for you to go get married”
anymore.
Me: When did you start riding?
Lady Zee: I
was introduced to biking at the tender age of 16 as a pillion. I spent
the rest of my teen years riding and attending bike events with my
sisters and brother. When I got a bit older I decided it was time to
learn how to ride on my own and I have never looked back since then. I
bought my first bike in 2006.
Me: Why did you get into motorsports?
Lady Zee: Despite
having not given a choice from a young age, I love the rush I get
whenever I think of fast motorbikes and sports cars. It is perceived
dangerous by most people, so I’m always driven to prove a point that
motorsports is not that dangerous if you are properly trained and have
the skills to perform in that particular sport. I am always pushing my
limits in everything I do.
Me: What do you think is the biggest issue facing women in motorsports in South Africa today?
Lady Zee: I
think like in any other country in the world, women will always be
thought of as weaklings. Motorsports is a sport fuelled with the biggest
egos ever, so as soon as a woman starts performing much better than her
male colleagues she is labelled and called all sorts of names. Another
challenge for women is they constantly have to work twice as hard to
prove that they can also partake in the world of motorsports. Lastly,
you find a lot of women that love fast cars, motorbikes etc. but they do
not really go into the sport with the intention of being professional
in that particular sport, as a results S.A has very few ladies who are
motorsport professionally and the few that are there end up having to
compete with their male counterparts.
Me: How do you think is the best way to overcome them?
Lady Zee: This
can be overcome by introducing these kind of sports very early in life,
as early as primary school where kids see each other as kids not girls
and boys. Career guidance in sport is lacking, most people think of
sports as a hobby and therefore never pursue it professionally.
Me: With your experience, what words of advice would you give to women considering pursuing motorsports?
Lady Zee: I
would say women pursuing motorsports should do it because they are
passionate about the sport, not to do it to impress friends or pressure.
It must come from the heart, that way even if they are left alone with
no support they can still push themselves to achieve what they desire.
Me: What is Cancervive?
Lady Zee: Cancer.vive
is a special awareness and education project of the umbrella
organisation People Living with Cancer. Driven by passionate survivors,
this colourful campaign has been internationally recognised as one of
the most dynamic cancer awareness campaigns in the world.
Me: Why are you involved in Cancervive?
Lady Zee: Being
a cancer awareness activist and my love of riding led me to join
Cancervive. Not only does this organisation educate our community about
this horrible disease but they do it in the most colourful and unique
way that draws attention and forces people to listen to the message
that is being conveyed, wherever they go. I just had to be part of such
an effective campaign!
Me: What message do you hope to pass on in your community through Cancervive?
Lady Zee: I
would like to pass on a message of hope and support to people living
with cancer and raise awareness and educate communities about the ‘shy’
cancers that often remain undetected because of cultural taboos, stigmas
and lack of knowledge.
Every year we:
• Give hope to other people living with cancer.
•
Educate thousands of people on the signs and symptoms of ‘shy’ cancers
using printed material, our website, personal visits, DVDs and media.
•
Connect newly diagnosed people and people already living with cancer to
Cancer Buddies, a project of People Living with Cancer which provides a
support network of cancer survivors who come from similar backgrounds
and who have experienced the same type of cancer.
•
Work with People Living with Cancer to gather authentic information
about what South Africans have to say about their experience of cancer
care to support advocacy programmes.
•
Collaborate with all projects under the People Living with Cancer
umbrella, connecting people, sharing knowledge and promoting the crucial
message that early detection saves lives.
Me: Who is your biggest influence?
Me: Who is your biggest influence?
Lady Zee: My
biggest influence were my parents, they were two people who had 7
mouths to feed and educate under difficult situations and yet they did
it so effortlessly. My mom taught me that to get anywhere in life you
need to work hard for it and be independent, she instilled an element of
self-worth and being proud of who I am and where I come from. My Dad
was the most ethical man in the world, he brought us up with integrity.
He taught us not to be judgemental and treat each person we meet with
respect (rich or poor). Taking what is not yours and what you do not
deserve was a big No No for him.
Me: What has been the best advise you have ever received?
Lady Zee: I once met a lady who later turned to be my mentor and friend who said to me ”Life meets you at the level of your expectations” so if I had to dream I need to dream big because that is exactly what I would achieve.
Me: What are the main virtues you live by?
Me: What are the main virtues you live by?
Lady Zee:
1. Politeness
2. Resilienve
3. Confidence
4. Self-awareness and
5. Forgiveness
Me: If people need more information about your projects, where can they get hold of you?
Lady Zee: People can get hold of me on my email address: leideezee@gmail.com facebook: Lady Zee
Lady Zee: People can get hold of me on my email address: leideezee@gmail.com facebook: Lady Zee
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