Through the eyes of Victoria Oliver Naidu

Let me take you on a journey of the 2023 version of me. I wake up at 5 am every day to train, drink a turmeric shot at 6 am and I’m at the office at 8:30 am. Currently, I’m still working on this part but being at the office at8:30 am is true. I’ve got a Degree in Psychology and Honours in Marketing and Branding. The best part of these two qualifications is that they bridge the gap between people and experience. This allows me to dabble in various spaces like social media marketing, graphic design, events & PR, content creation and brand strategy. Professionally, I am the Head of Marketing for a company called MEB which focuses on water and wastewater treatment. With the state of our beaches and facing water shortages, I find it extremely rewarding to weigh in on this matter and hopefully be able to meet the problem with a solution. The water industry is very male-dominated from government, municipality, and engineering houses, I take pride in the fact that I get to be a female representative of colour breaking the glass ceiling. Sticking to the trend of dabbling in various spaces, I also host some exciting events that are focused on community, connection, and networking. One of my passion projects is called The Dinner Club which is based on the central theme of “not for ourselves alone are we born”. Essentially bringing like-minded individuals together to grow, learn and bebetter. I’m honoured to do this with my business partner Kieran Pather who shares a similar vision for life.

Funny story, I never expected to move to KZN. I visited my parents for two weeks and during that time I took surfing lessons. I fell in love with KZN and the water was a huge source of healing for me during that time. An eat, pray, love moment. Meeting idea with execution I moved my entire life here for a change of scenery and a different experience in Johannesburg. I’ve been living in KZN for a year and a half now. My hair has certainly not come to terms with this decision, but my soul couldn’t be happier.

My career path and reason for moving to KZN should say it all. The ocean really does make such a huge difference in your mental state. Even something little like driving home after a long day at work and catching a glimpse of the sunset and the ocean makes lemons into lemonade. I love knowing I’m a few minutes’ drive away from the ocean. If we bring in my star sign into it Leos, by nature are drawn to large bodies of water.

SAFE provides all the essentials for fostering. The only thing required from you is love, affection and a place in your home. Twice a month we host a pup meet and greet for the public to get involved and potential owners to come to visit their forever pup for adoption. We have recently launched puppy yoga day and drink for a cause to raise funds. Our biggest need is fosters, funds or donations (dog food, bowls & blankets).