Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and sometimes finding the strength to keep going is an achievement in itself. An upcoming wellness luncheon in Gqeberha is creating space for women to talk about the experiences that shape them, the challenges they overcome and the ambitions they continue to pursue.
On Saturday, 24 October 2026, the Boardwalk International Convention Centre (ICC) will host Grounded Elegance: Love, Loss, Grief & Ambition, a wellness luncheon bringing together women, business leaders and inspirational voices for an afternoon of honest conversations and connection.
Hosted by Mrs Lucia Mtshake-Ntshona of the LUMN Project, the event will explore what it means to navigate life’s more difficult chapters without losing sight of personal dreams and ambitions.
Because while success is often celebrated, the grief, setbacks and personal struggles that happen along the way aren’t always part of the conversation.
More than just a luncheon
The event aims to create a space where women can reflect on their experiences, share perspectives and explore the relationship between emotional wellness and personal growth.
From navigating loss and rebuilding after adversity to balancing personal responsibilities with professional ambitions, the discussions will touch on experiences many women know all too well.
The theme, Grounded Elegance, speaks to the idea that strength and ambition can exist alongside vulnerability, and that moving forward doesn’t necessarily mean leaving difficult experiences behind.
A line-up of women with something to say
The programme brings together speakers from business, healthcare, faith and women’s empowerment.
Nomdeni Sethole, founder of Agenda Woman, will deliver the keynote address, while Sonia Tifloen, Managing Director at BLC, will share insights from her professional and entrepreneurial journey.
Dr Fikile Ngcingwana, a specialist paediatric neurologist, will also take to the stage as a guest speaker, adding another perspective to the day’s discussions.
Pastor Ayanda Mpungose will open the gathering with a message of inspiration, while gospel singer Xolly Mngcwango will bring the event to a close with a musical performance.
Together, the speakers will explore different aspects of resilience, personal transformation, faith and the importance of supporting women through life’s changing seasons.
Making room for the conversations that matter
While the occasion promises an elegant setting, the real focus is on what happens when women are given the opportunity to speak openly about the things they are often expected to manage quietly.
Grief, ambition, emotional healing and the pressure to remain strong are not always easy subjects to unpack, particularly when life continues to demand that we show up for work, family and everyone else.
The LUMN Project hopes to bring these conversations into the open, encouraging women to recognise that pursuing their ambitions and prioritising their emotional wellbeing don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
And perhaps that’s what makes the theme particularly relevant: the reminder that being ambitious doesn’t mean having everything figured out, and that there is strength in acknowledging the difficult parts of the journey, too.
Event details
Event: Grounded Elegance: Love, Loss, Grief & Ambition
Date: Saturday, 24 October 2026
Time: 16:30
Venue: Boardwalk International Convention Centre (ICC), Gqeberha
Host: Mrs Lucia Mtshake-Ntshona, LUMN Project
Tickets are still available, although organisers say availability is limited. Those interested in attending are encouraged to contact the event organisers for booking information.
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