Flourishing and thriving took centre stage on Sunday, 9 August, as women gathered in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, for a lavishly styled Women’s Day picnic hosted by Icebolethu Group, founded by Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo.
Set against the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal backdrop, the celebration brought together women for a day of connection, wellness, inspiration, reflection and sisterhood — a fitting expression of the spirit behind Flourish, Icebolethu Group’s women-focused platform created to give women an opportunity to pause, breathe and pour back into themselves.
At the heart of the celebration was Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo, GCEO of Icebolethu Group, whose leadership and vision have helped create platforms that place women’s wellbeing, purpose and leadership firmly on the agenda. As a woman leading at the highest level of business, Dr Mcoyi-Zondo represents the growing influence of women who are not only breaking barriers in business but creating spaces for other women to thrive.
Her message through Flourish is particularly powerful: women cannot continue to give from an empty cup. She describes the platform as an opportunity for women to “put themselves back on the list”, recognising that women often spend their lives as mothers, wives, daughters, leaders, businesswomen and caregivers while forgetting that they, too, need to be cared for.
Reset. Restart. Refocus.
The 2026 Flourish experience was anchored by the theme “Reset. Restart. Refocus.” — three powerful stages of personal growth.
Reset focused on healing, wellness and restoration. Restart encouraged women to give themselves permission to begin again, while Refocus called on them to reconnect with their vision, purpose and leadership.
Bringing these conversations to life was a line-up of speakers who addressed some of the issues affecting women in their everyday lives.
Thembisa Luthuli led the conversation on Financial Wellness, while Qaqamba Nodada facilitated the Reset session, creating space for women to consider healing, restoration and the possibility of beginning again.
Mental wellbeing was placed firmly on the agenda through a session with Lile Ngobese, while Adv. Hlengiwe Mkhasibe led an important conversation on gender-based violence.
The programme culminated in a Refocus session led by Pastor Lungi M, before moving into live music and entertainment — allowing the day to close on a note of celebration, connection and joy.
Together, the sessions reflected the broader purpose of Flourish: recognising that women’s empowerment is multidimensional. It encompasses financial wellness, mental health, safety, faith, purpose, leadership and the simple but powerful ability to pause and breathe.
A Celebration with Purpose
The Howick picnic was therefore more than a beautifully styled Women’s Day occasion. It was an intentional space for women to step away from the demands of everyday life and invest in themselves.
For Dr Mcoyi-Zondo, that investment is essential.
“Sometimes you need to heal, sometimes you need to begin again, and sometimes you simply need to remember your purpose and find your direction again,” she says.
As Flourish continues to grow year after year, Icebolethu Group has reaffirmed its commitment to keeping the platform running annually — a standing invitation for women to show up for themselves, not just once, but every year.
And on 9 August in Howick, women did exactly that — they showed up, dressed up, connected, reflected and flourished in style.
