“While we navigate our way through this crisis, sometimes, hope is all we have. And yet, in its ability to inspire change and offer opportunity where once there was only uncertainty, there’s no doubt of hope’s immense and unfailing power.”
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2020... the year that was supposed to be 20plenty.

For many people 2020, was going to be the year. 2020 - Perfect vision, perfect time.. it was a time to shine.

January was filled with strategy meetings, vision workshops, 5-year plans and most businesses and entrepreneurs were ready.

February came and the rumours were mounting.... there was a virus, a new and dangerous virus... a Corona virus - they called it Covid-19.

Overnight, restaurants turned into soup kitchens, businesses turned to making protective products, if you had a sewing machine you made masks, alcohol you made hand sanitizers, hotels turned into hospitals, businesses had to transform - it was time to adapt or die.

Hope Stories is a collection of short stories about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in these uncertain times.

Their stories will inspire you to innovate and prosper, think forward and find a way to triumph over adversity.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Lesley Waterkeyn
Lesley is passionate about unlocking the potential of South Africa’s young people. She is also the co-founder of Over the Rainbow, a social enterprise that empowers young entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and connections that will enable them to succeed. Amongst many other accolades, Lesley is a multiple award-winning entrepreneur.

Sandy Van Dijk
Sandy is COO of Over the Rainbow, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs. Founded with her sister, Lesley they have written a book called The Entrepreneurs Playbook. The book aims to inspire entrepreneurs by changing their ‘what if’s into how to’s,’ sustain their businesses and achieve success.

Dawn Nathan-Jones
Dawn Nathan-Jones is a renowned South African entrepreneur, multiple award-winning business leader and a professional speaker. Her legacy lies in her role as one of the early pioneers of the Imperial Car Rental company, known more recently as Europcar. She spent over three decades building this fledging car rental business with her two colleagues.

ABOUT OVER THE RAINBOW (OTR)

OTR is led by entrepreneurial woman, who strongly believe that the greatest way to “action against poverty” is by upskilling entrepreneurs so that they are able to build and lead sustainable, scalable businesses that will in turn employ other people. To date, OTR have trained over 5000 entrepreneurs at various venues around South Africa and in partnership with some key organisations who are driven to make an impact and difference to entrepreneurs and communities in our country.