I still remember my first job. I was 16 and I was hungry to learn as much as I could on the weekends I worked. Earning my own pocket money gave me a deep sense of accomplishment. Even then, I understood that earning comes at a price. My weekends, my self-discipline and the freedom to do whatever my friends were doing. Yet the reward was far greater than the money. It was knowledge. Exposure. Experience. I bet you're dying to know what that first job was. Well, frankly, I was

Every event we deliver is, at its heart, an invitation to come out of isolation and sit down together and do life together. Everyone who has a seat, so this column is my table and I'd like to tell you who I'm setting a place for.

Why associations and corporates need a specialist partner Imagine the morning of your annual congress or flagship corporate event. Your keynote speaker’s flight is delayed, catering is short‑staffed and the main projector won’t turn on. Your organising committee, senior leaders, clinicians, academics or executives who volunteered their time ends up putting out fires instead of welcoming delegates and representing the brand. This is what happens when event planning is treated

Ten Years of ONE39 Central 15 August 2016 — 15 August 2026. In loving honour of Desiree & Peter Groenewald. My father and my mother. For ten years I have carried this story quietly. Today, for the first time, I want to tell it openly, not as a company announcement, but as a testimony. I am the youngest of 3 children. My dear sisters, Adele and Olivia. This 10th anniversary of ONE39 Central is more than a business milestone. It is a moment of honour. Firstly, to God, who insti

The second half of the year is still full of opportunity. The question is, are your events ready for it?

One of the biggest misconceptions in the events industry is that staffing simply means supplying extra hands.

Some people simply leave an indelible mark on our lives. They’re the quiet heroes, the steady hands, the ones who teach us without ever saying a word. This Father’s Day, we’re not just celebrating dads, we’re honouring the Legends. The men who have shaped our world with their wisdom, their strength and their unconditional love. At Gift - Central, we believe that a true tribute comes from the heart, a recognition of the profound impact these men have on who we become. It’s abo

At ONE39 Central, we don't make you choose. We are both the Architect and the Co-ordinator. We design the vision and we deliver it. One team, end to end. In the events industry, titles get used interchangeably all the time and it causes real confusion. Clients aren't sure what they're hiring. Suppliers don't know who they're dealing with. And event professionals themselves sometimes undersell what they actually do. So let's clear it up. An Event Co-ordinator and an Events Arc

She gives her all her time, her energy, her heart. This Mother’s Day, it’s our turn to give back. To celebrate her with intention, with gratitude and with kynd-ness. Because she doesn’t just deserve it, she embodies it.