Karen Schwendtke

ShowMe Pretoria met with Karen Schwendtke, a well-known businesswomen in South Africa and a Pretoria resident, passionate about her community.

I aim to always involve children in my charity events, encourage them to make decisions and to give them responsibility.

Karen holds a degree as Chartered Accountant and Masters in Business Leadership, is a mother of two beautiful little girls, Saskia and Arabella and she hosts many charity events in Pretoria in collaboration with CHOC and various sponsors.

Why is the community so important to you?

I believe you need to be the change you want to see in the world. I enjoy assisting the community to make a difference whether charities, fundraisers or sponsorship to better the lives of others.

What is your favourite tourist destination in Pretoria?

My favourite destination in Pretoria IS PRETORIA. Our city has so much to offer from beautiful Botanical Gardens, to Nature Reserve areas, wonderful restaurants and most of all FRIENDLY people.

If I have to choose how I would like to spend my time it would be outdoors as Pretoria is well renowned for the stable weather and sunshine most of the year.

Spending time on one of our greatly designed golf courses, or on horse back, Misty Meadows is absolutely awesome for such time and the the market in Irene at Smuts House. Locals exhibiting their creative ideas amongst the Acorn trees with Ringneck Parakeets flying around wild next to the Irene dairy farm.

Currently finalists of Lady Gracious and Out of Africa Winter Queen 2014, what do you enjoy most about these pageants?

Positive thinking changes the world. These pageants resemble the philosophical thought that the world and our country can become better with human effort. If you want the world to be a better place, then you have the power to improve it. I believe being a finalist of these pageants creates the platform for me to envision making a difference, and when I envision in my mind, body and soul, I belief and know that positive change materialise!

What do you think is the best kept secret in Pretoria?

Definitely the Bronberg area in Pretoria East. Example Villa Amor situated close to the N1 and N4, centrally located near many amenities, yet this area has not been fully explored. Fishing, Polo Club, wonderful cultural restaurants and near the Cullinan Meander. Must say, worth the while for a wonderful family outing.

What advise do you have for young people in Pretoria that are interested in helping the community?

Once our beautiful children are educated and Government can be made conscious that young people definitely need to play a more active role in ensuring services are better, our youth will start with the basic fundamental background in realising, whatever their background, their aim is to support all that are in need. To ensure our youth plays a role, I as a Pretoria resident in collaboration with like minded organisation and positive enthusiasm will endeavour to involve children to assist in awareness of:

Be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, achieve economic well-being 

I need to be realistic but remain optimistic. From limited experience of working with children especially with diverse cultural differences, it can be a daunting task trying to involve them in new projects. However, given the chance, children and young people are amongst the most committed to the well being of their community. After all, this is where they live and wish to thrive.

From me as Karen, my aim is to start with the basics with creating a foundation on various levels with our children of Pretoria:

Choose your activities, do your homework, effective preparation, -earn from others, identify the young leaders and ensure they are key players involved. 

In a nutshell, I believe that every person should be shown respect regardless of age or colour or race. Children should be involved more despite of our economical commitments that require parents to work long hours. I aim to always involve children in my charity events, encourage them to make decisions and to give them responsibility.

Like the CHOC Facebook Page to find our more about this foundation : www.facebook.com/CHOChildhoodSA/info.

You can also read more about charities in Pretoria on the ShowMe Pretoria Cares page  to find out how you can contribute.