Empowered to inspire, driven to make a difference
My name is Natasha King and I am a South African Actress, Model, Pageant Judge, Motivational Speaker, Events Coordinator, Brand Ambassador, Social Media Influencer, Business Owner, Women Empowerment Evangelist, Networking & Placement Manager, and Surfer from Cape Town. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from AFDA and an Events Management qualification from UCT.
I own my own Events and Image consultancy called NKING STYLES which specializes in putting together all kinds of memorable events from start to finish. As well as, provide styling consultations, free skincare consultantions and award-winning, cruelty-free skincare, beauty and wellness products. Through my business I've also created a platform to teach men and women how to become entrepreneurs and have their own online businesses. I also provide them with one on one mentorship, information, guidance and the necessary training to do so.
Aside from this I am the Networking and Placement Manager for the Sozo Foundation, a registered NPO in Muizenberg which focuses on youth education, development and empowerment. A part of my role I have so far managed to place 84% of our 2023 graduates in gainful employment. Currently working hard to get that to 100% placement rate and then keep it there going forward. This position brings me great fulfillment and joy as it has enabled me to make a significant and impactful difference in the lives of these youths. Our next generation of leaders.
I am also a former Mrs South Africa finalist, former Top South African Ambassador and Woman of Wonder award recepicant, the official ambassador of the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation. As well as, the Brand Ambassador for Craft Hair Crew, Sorbet Bayside, Merlize, Hart Fertility Clinic Cape Town, and Mdzananda Animal Clinic.
Furthermore, I am the patron for Imani Treatment centre, a mental health ambassador, an activist, and an advocate for the rights of women and children. In 2019 I created a mental health campaign on social media called @Commumicateempathizerehab. The purpose of this campaign is to educate, promote awareness, and break stigmas. I am also very involved in youth development and empowerment programs for communities in need. I believe "education is the most important weapon in changing our world."
I am an advocate for and passionate about women and children's rights. I would like to be a queen of people's hearts, to be a generational Influencer, and leave the world better than I found it. I'd like to encourage, motivate, inspire, and help others to be their best selves, and live their best lives. I want to be the kind of role model that both girls and women of all ages can look up to, see themselves in me, and know that if I can make my dreams come true then so can they. I'd like to encourage women and children to believe in themselves and their capabilities. To live fearlessly and passionately, to keep speaking up, taking up space, and creating opportunities for themselves to become successful.
Yes I'm a serial entrepreneur, but when I'm not doing that I absolutely love spending quality time with my loved ones, my friends, socializing; traveling; networking; experiencing new things; going on adventures; writing; learning a new skill; having fun; training and keeping fit; surfing and just being in the ocean.
I believe in giving back and empowering women and children of all ages. I'm also very passionate about standing up for what is right.
A quote I live my life by is this :
"If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader."
Exclusive Women's Month Interview
1. As a Women Empowerment Evangelist, what are some of the key challenges you’ve observed that women face in entrepreneurship, and how do you help them overcome these obstacles through your platform?
The key challenges I've observed that female entrepreneurs experience are gender bias and stereotypes, trying to navigate male-dominated industries, balancing professional and personal lives, equal opportunities, unequal access to capital, fear of failure, inadequate support system, and owning their own accomplishments. Through my platform, I provide one-on-one mentorship, guidance, and a supportive community of like-minded women. I also assist them with the necessary information skills, training, and tools for them to build a network and enhance their own businesses by providing positive affirmation and encouragement to help their confidence and empowering them to identify and develop their strengths and passions.
2. You’ve mentioned wanting to be a role model for both girls and women of all ages. What advice would you give to young women who are just starting to pursue their dreams in industries traditionally dominated by men?
My advice would be for them to be authentic, confident, bold, and assertive. To believe in themselves and their abilities, to develop a strong network, to focus on their strengths, and to persevere in the face of adversity. As well as to never forget just how valuable and powerful they are. As "it takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and nerve to never take no for an answer" to do so.
3. Your work with the Sozo Foundation has had a profound impact on youth, particularly young women. Can you share a success story that highlights how you’ve empowered young women to achieve their full potential?
The Sozo Foundation has provided me with an opportunity to have a profound impact on youth, both young men and women. The success in placing our graduates with gainful employment is not because I'm so great, but because every single person at the Sozo Foundation is. At the Sozo Foundation, I found more than a job, I found a tribe who are like family, and an incredible support system. We all have our strengths and work together in making that impactful difference to our students and the community. We are all there because we've been called to be there. And I'm just so grateful to be a part of this team of incredible individuals, and also for them giving me an opportunity to fulfill my purpose and WHY. This is a place where both students and staff have found healing, support, encouragement, and unconditional love and it truly is just such an honor to be a part of that.
This is one of the many success stories. Kayla, a 2023 Sozo Foundation Barista school graduate, is now employed full time as a barista at Bootleggers coffee company. Her mother found out about our Sozo Foundation skills program in January 2023 via social media. Kayla says at the time she was just at home, struggled with anxiety, had no self-confidence, was not able to talk to others in a way she wanted to, and had no idea what to do with her life. She already knew how to bake and had a dream of one day owning her own business in the food industry. But she wanted to challenge herself and upskill herself so she chose to enroll for the barista course at Sozo. She explained being at Sozo was the best thing that ever happened to her. Not only because she learnt how to be a successful barista but also found healing through being at Sozo. She says she didn't find her skill, but found herself in her skill. Kayla highlights her personal self-development as the biggest change she got from the program, especially in her confidence and communication skills. Kayla said "I can stand up for myself and ask for things. I would not have been able to have a full-time job as a barista if I did not have the confidence I gained at Sozo. I am so grateful to have a full-time job. But more than that I have the life I always wanted."
4. As a mental health ambassador and advocate for women’s and children’s rights, how do you address the unique mental health challenges that women face, particularly in underserved communities?
The biggest mental illness challenges faced by women in underserved communities are depression, anxiety, substance abuse, postnatal depression, and the mental health problems that come with HIV, as well as other serious mental health issues. While these conditions are not just found in underserved communities, it is usually those who are suffering in these communities who don't reach out for help and treatment due to the stigma surrounding these conditions. This is largely due to a lack of education, awareness, and understanding of how common mental health illnesses are worldwide. My aim is and always has been to use my platform to be a voice for the voiceless, provide education, awareness, mentorship, guidance, and a support network for these women. They should see that they are not alone, that help is available, that these conditions don't define them, and don't have to prevent them from living a full life. I also want to make them aware that recovery and healing are possible. I can testify to this on a very personal level. Being brave enough to be honest and vulnerable about my own struggles with mental health issues and addictions has allowed me to help many other women from various age groups, upbringings, circumstances, and walks of life, and that has always brought me such joy.
5. Balancing multiple roles as a business owner, ambassador, and activist requires a lot of determination. How do you manage to stay motivated and focused, and what strategies do you use to avoid burnout, especially as a woman in leadership?
Firstly, the thing you need to understand about me is that I am, and always have been, a determined, self-motivated, driven, ambitious, fearless, passionate, and confident individual with big goals and dreams. That said, I have benefited hugely from having an incredibly supportive family and community of other female leaders around me, a strong network of like-minded men and women, a business mentor, a fitness coach, and my recovery support. All of this, my WHY and honoring God in all I do, is what motivates and keeps me determined and focused on a daily basis. The strategies I use to avoid burnout are pretty simple but effective. As I have a full-time job and many other roles and commitments on top of that, I manage my time intentionally, making sure that I always make time for myself and what's most important to me, which is keeping my physical health in check by sticking to a solid meal plan of eating healthily and exercising 5 days a week with a professional fitness coach.
I keep my emotional and mental health in check by reaching out to my support structure when necessary and by doing the things that I enjoy and that are good for me, like surfing, cold-water swimming, being in nature, going out dancing, baking, journaling, going on adventures, and just having fun. I keep my spiritual health in check by praying, spending time with God, going to church, and making use of the supportive community I've found at church. Aside from that, I go to bed by 22h00 every night to ensure I get sufficient sleep as that's always been vitally important to me. I prioritize spending time with my loved ones and friends. This is how I've managed to create a healthy, balanced lifestyle for myself even amidst the business and all my commitments within my various roles and careers.
6.Your involvement in the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation reflects your commitment to women’s rights. How do you believe we can better protect and empower women in South Africa, particularly in the fight against gender-based violence?
I believe the best way we can protect South African women, especially against gender-based violence or domestic abuse, is through education and awareness. This includes educating these women of their legal rights, offering necessary counseling and support, as well as informing them of safe havens they can go to. The Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation does all this and also helps these women learn skills that will empower them and help them become fully self-supporting while they rebuild their lives. But the use of education as a weapon against this goes even further, as it's also about "changing attitudes, gender roles, and stereotypes that make violence against women acceptable, and raising awareness of different types of violence. Preventive actions should be taken within the education system, among professionals working with victims, and in cooperation with NGOs, the media, and the private sector in order to reach out to the public." This can only be achieved by training programs for professionals, rehabilitation programs for perpetrators, campaigns to raise awareness, promoting women empowerment, involving boys and men, and education in non-violence and equality between men and women
7.In your journey from Mrs. South Africa finalist to a successful entrepreneur and advocate, what has been the most significant lesson you’ve learned about women’s empowerment, and how has it shaped your vision for the future?
The most significant thing I've learned from my journey as a Mrs. South Africa finalist to now regarding women empowerment is that women are strongest when they do not compete with one another, but instead collaborate, support, inspire, applaud, and encourage one another. I'm fortunate because I have a sisterhood and tribe of beautiful, bold, fearless women I am surrounded by. They are my closest friends, family, accountability partners, inspiration, and confidants. Today I stand on the shoulders of giants, women who supported me, loved me, believed in me, encouraged me in the hard times, and celebrated with me with every win. These amazing women paved the way for me and provided an opportunity for me to take the baton from them and do the same thing for generations to come. I believe in all of us as women rising together. My Mrs South Africa journey empowered and transformed me into the strong, confident, fearless women I am today, and for that I'll always be eternally grateful to Joani Jacobs, her team and the sisterhood.
8. Looking ahead, what are your future goals for empowering women and children, and how do you plan to expand your influence to make an even greater impact in their lives?
My future goals for expanding my influence are to make an even greater impact in empowering women and children. Aside from what I'm already doing, I plan to host more events for the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation to continue the incredible work they do specifically in this field, as well as to leverage my brand, platform, status, and social media to make a difference. I will do more public speeches on this matter, collaborate with others, host training programs for women and youth focusing mainly on self-development and vocational skills to empower them, especially those in underserved communities. I will continue to utilize and expand my current network and grow an international brand that inspires, motivates, and encourages every child and woman to believe in themselves, their abilities, and know that they are more than capable of achieving their dreams and living their best lives. I aim to pioneer all of this by working alongside other remarkable women who are committed to doing the same, and to continue dedicating myself to both the Sozo Foundation and the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation to help them successfully continue their incredible work and make a continuous impactful difference. I'm also going prioritize my focus on helping students who can't afford it to get bursaries or financial to finish matric and studying further. As well as keep providing them with the very best business opportunities to find gainful employment. I will always strive to help and encourage women and children to speak up, take up space, create opportunities for themselves, and go after their dreams fearlessly.
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