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Shamila Ramjawan | Founder & CEO | Famram Solutions & Famram Foundation

Shamila Ramjawan: Striving to Make a Difference in the World

A lot that has happened as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19 has affected a lot of businesses. The work culture has temporarily changed, and most companies started to deploy mandatory work from home policies. People are experiencing an increase in unemployment. Many schools were also shut down. Almost all these changes are stressful, but the best thing that can be done is to look forward and to calm the nerves of consumers while having a clear, concise, and accurate messaging. “It’s vital that we stay positive through this stressful time,” informs Shamila Ramjawan, University of South Africa Business Management Lecturer, Founder and CEO of Famram Solutions and Famram Foundation.

Shamila Ramjawan is Mrs. Johannesburg 2019. Mrs. Johannesburg Pageantry is owned by the Role Models Foundation. “They are very active in socio-economic development so I entered because I knew this would be a great platform for me to elevate my personal brand as well as elevate and create awareness on their initiatives,” says Shamila. She was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa where she matriculated at Woodlands Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg.

Shamila was employed in the Marketing and Communications industry for over two decades and acquired vast experience and knowledge in her field of expertise. She occupied senior management roles in various organizations and represented these organizations at Board level. She gained vast experience in operational and strategic management, change management, brand management, events management, media relations, digital and online, ATL and BTL advertising, and corporate social responsibility.

From humble beginnings, she knows what it feels like ‘not to have,’ when it comes to gaining things in life. With not having money to go to university, she is the holder of several business diplomas and degrees, including an Honarary Doctrate in Humanitarianism from the Global International Alliance in the USA, and currently has her sights set on her Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in 2021. Acquiring knowledge through these various qualifications and life experiences has equipped her to not only become a powerhouse entrepreneur but also has enhanced her personal life.

Shamila believes that her purpose is to give back to the impoverished. Her philanthropic interests lie in changing lives and making a sustainable difference and an impact, regardless of how small the gesture is. It is all about putting smiles on faces. Through her extensive work she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate this year by the Global International Alliance (GIA) in the USA, accredited by The International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

A Courageous Spirit

“My companies, Famram Solutions and Famram Foundation, were conceptualized from the realization that the development of a better way of life for the less fortunate in Africa is a step in the right direction for the betterment of our beautiful continent,” states Shamila.

Famram Solutions (Pty) Ltd. is a marketing organisation that provides outsourced marketing solutions and support for businesses. As customers are the real growth for successful businesses, Famram Solutions combines in-depth customer insights with practical expertise in various marketing disciplines to help clients obtain a distinguished, strong, and trusted brand image.

Shamila took the risk and started the business using her own capital with absolutely no investors. She firmly believes in balance and thinks that there must be balance to everything in life to function optimally. It is in this light that she has been able to successfully juggle being a single mother (husband who was a Detective in the South African Police Services passed away due to a sudden heart attack in 1998) as well as driving her career and business (selffunded). “I would be lying if I said that it was easy, but it has made me a stronger person. I am also lucky that my children look up to me as their role model and take after me in terms of independence,” describes Shamila.

“Becoming an entrepreneur has been one of the most challenging but exciting experiences of my life,” she adds further. The journey so far, has been rocky yet extremely humbling at the same time. Shamila has developed respect for any person who decides to invest in their own venture. The specific experiences that she had during her journey cannot be justified briefly but if highlighted, it would not be wrong to say that she is making a positive difference in the world while chasing her dreams at the same time.

Shamila is a tenacious, ambitious, driven, focused, selfmotivated, motivating, charismatic, intelligent, caring, and innovative woman. The only thing that surpasses her ambition is her empathy. She has always been passionate about philanthropy and this is evident in the direction that she has taken her company. Shamila’s most prized asset is the knowledge she has gained over the years. She is a firm believer in the saying ‘knowledge is power.’

“I motivate other people to be innovative against all odds. Women are strong and can overcome anything. Never give up,” explains Shamila. She believes that one must always tell their story because it motivates others. Shamila’s inspiration are her two children. Whatever she has achieved today is through them. They have provided her with the support that she needed as a single parent to achieve great results with passion and purpose. “I also founded and host the Red Corner Chat – a platform where I get distinguished guests from across the globe to share their stories so that they can inspire others,” informs Shamila.

Shamila is on a mission to make an impact globally so that girls and women are equipped with a sustainable product, PrincessD Menstrual Cup, during menstruation. “My vision is to help girls and women globally to enjoy life, restore dignity and offer an affordable solution to health care, especially menstruation matters and women’s health,” she concludes.