Women’s Month this year is about celebrating powerful, resilient women who manage to persevere in the face of adversity. In challenging times, forging one’s destiny both locally and internationally isn’t a given. One woman doing just that however is Nomzamo Mbatha. It’s been a time of many personal highlights for the South African born and bred superstar actress and this year she’s celebrating her foray into the realm of global success in the spirit of Madame Clicquot.
By always seeking to push the boundaries of personal achievement, Nomzamo endeavours to live her life with daring flair just like Madame Clicquot – an audacious businesswoman who, at a very similar age to Nomzamo, in 1805, had the courage to take the reins at Veuve Clicquot after the death of her husband. She then proceeded to build a global champagne empire and her decisions, at a time when women could neither work nor hold a bank account, remain an inspiration to women in pursuit of success globally, just like Nomzamo.
Last month, having just celebrated her 30th birthday, Nomzamo not only signed a management deal with one of the world’s largest talent agencies, Creative Artists – laying the foundations for even greater international success. (She’ll soon be starring in Paramount’s classic “Coming to America 2”, alongside stars Wesley Snipes and Eddie Murphy.) Throughout trying times, Nomzamo also continued her work on very own ‘Lighthouse Foundation’, raising over R1.5 million. This humanitarian work aligns with her role as Global Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, leading to her inclusion on the 2018 OkayAfrica’s 100 Women honourees and the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list.
We had the rare opportunity to speak to Nomzamo about what Women’s Month means for her and about how building her personal global brand with a positive go-getter attitude honours the legacy of Madame Clicquot, a woman she truly admires.
The best advice I can give women today is….do not listen to the naysayers, strive to persevere despite it all! Move with intention, live your truth but most importantly, live a purpose-driven life and, to remain motivated and positive, celebrate each personal highlight with a glass of champagne! (Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé remains Nomzamo’s favourite.)
We live in a world that… tells women what they should not be. But to live boldly is to show up in the world and show the world what to be. Just like Madame Clicquot showed us centuries ago, we will continue to shine our light into this world – to persevere with our dreams, hopes and plans, no matter how challenging the circumstances, which is especially apt in times like these.
These are the women that I am inspired by…that I look to and whose light shines warm and bright guiding me throughout my life. Each one of them lives their lives with audacity and I’m inspired by how they pave the way and by how they show up in the world.
A special toast to you, inspiring women, this Women’s Month… thank you for inspiring me and allowing me to show up in the world bolder, stronger and a better version of myself. In times like these, we as women especially, draw on the power of our networks. There are so many women in South Africa who live their lives with the audacious spirit of Madame Clicquot, and these are just a few I’d like to mention:
Judy Nxasana (Dr Judy Dlamini) – medical doctor, MBA, doctor of business leadership, University of the Witwatersrand chancellor and one of South Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs.
Nunu Ntshingila – Facebook’s Head of Africa, with responsibility for leading the team that engages with agencies and brands in Africa to help them make the most of the company’s products including Facebook itself, Instagram and related services.
Thando Hopa – Diversity Advocate-Fellow at @worldeconomicforum- international model- actress and writer
Chimanda Ngozi Adichie – writer and activist
Zulaihka Patel – Activist, radical black feminist, writer, TedxSpeaker, BBC’s 100 Woman List ’16
Today, I encourage all women to…live their lives as Madame Clicquot did, forging their own paths, going against the grain and becoming masters of their own fate, despite the odds. This month we get to celebrate and toast to her legacy. I want to say to every brave woman out there, forge forward! Keep that fire burning. No matter what your truth looks like, I hope that you show up in the world in the most important fashion there is, and that is to be yourself.
I celebrate all women during Woman’s Month… and what better way to do so than with champagne and a brand which supports women such as Madame Clicquot. And of course, no Women’s Day celebration would be complete without a bright bottle of Veuve Clicquot. We may not be able to travel, but we can travel vicariously by bringing a bit of French flair and celebration into the comfort of our homes. Here’s to Women’s Month, to every month, to every decade we find ourselves in – here’s to us.
From SA to USA, Veuve Clicquot celebrates Nomzamo’s success every step of the way. We look forward to raising a glass to all women forging their destinies fearlessly, with a bright ‘So Clicquot’ attitude. And Madame Clicquot would surely approve!
ABOUT VEUVE CLICQUOT
Founded in 1772 in Reims, France, champagne house Veuve Clicquot colors life with audacity. More than champagne, Veuve Clicquot is an attitude that sparkles with joie de vivre, embodied by the House’s signature sunburst-yellow color. Madame Clicquot, the audaciously innovative woman known as la grande dame of Champagne, took the reins of the House in 1805 at 27 years old, and became one of the first businesswomen of modern times. She cultivated a culture of excellence, and adopted “only one quality, the finest” as her motto. Her passion, vision, and innate sense of French art de vivre live on today in the House that bears her name. Veuve Clicquot spreads delight through its remarkable champagne range, including the iconic Yellow Label, and its joyful experiences around the world.
Please drink responsibly.
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