Client Testimonials

How have people's lives changed?

Talk about getting more than you bargained for. In the time Jo worked at Raizcorp, she completely revolutionized the business. The relationships she built and the impact she had were beyond words. Most of those in Raizcorp who were coached by Jo have discovered parts of themselves that they never knew or wanted to know. Jo has an incredible way of making a person shift toward personal enlightenment and fulfillment with integrity and compassion.

- Allon Raiz, CEO, Raizcorp Business Prosperator (Pty)Ltd

'Jo's workshops have taught me that my life is a creative process that I direct from within. Jo herself is on the path to living her highest self. To learn from her is to learn from someone who courageously engages her own inner terrain. I am constantly inspired by Jo's skill,compassion, integrity, honesty and passion for helping people change their lives.'

- Lebo Mashile, Entrepreneur, performer, facilitator, poet.

Jo has just run a leadership workshop concentrating on listening skills for the Ubom! Eastern Cape Drama Company and the positive results have been phenomenal. Jo's probing work on issues of truth, honesty and heightened interpersonal sensitivity has translated itself to the stage and manifested itself in the most impactive performance language the company has ever developed. Jo I wish you could see "Living Here"! The show is the talk of the town - and I believe you would be most gratified if you could see the how your work has been implemented not only on a personal acting level but also on a magical theatrical level. Thank you!

- Janet Buckland Rhodes University, Ubom Director.

"Before I started working with Jo, I wasn't clear how I can best trust myself when it came to my ability to achieve my best. It through a process of working with Jo that I discover what I can do with what I have. But most how to get more out of me. I discovered what I really love and used it as path where I can also earn money and that that was a turning point. I no longer felt stuck and unsure. Jo is one of the people who held my hand and walked with me in Village Gossip Productions cc a multi discipline production house managed by 100% women in the arts. My dream became part of hers in creating a world where women across the globe can converse and share each others work. Through my constant contact with her I find more of me.I am able to feel, live and touch my full potential. And on a personal level there is no measure on how much my self esteem has gotten a boost. When my company hosted 'Colours of a Diaspora', Jo's workshop facilitation allowed each and every one of us to be open and honest but also to healing around issues of race, gender and cultural differences. Kalavati is definitely my first point of call on a personal and professional level when I want to go to the next level.”

- Napo Masheane, Village Gossip Productions, Poet, Director, Writer

"Before I worked with Jo, I felt highly stressed and I wasn't spending enough time with my family. Since the FreshStart program, my confidence has increased, I feel more relaxed and I have been able to create fun time with my wife and children. We go camping and we enjoy our life more. Doing the program with my wife has increased our ability to communicate with each other." - Sean

"I did the FreshStart program with my husband and business partner. I feel stronger, less afraid, and more confidant in our relationship. My outlook is now positive and I feel confidant about our future. I have a clearer vision and I am ready for the opportunities that have started to open up." - Nikki

- Sean & Nikki McMahon - Electric Pencil

‘Since we have started on our sessions, I am getting a balance in what I do and have to do. It is comprehensible and systematic. Most of all you lead me to make my own decisions and is very clever in extracting the right information needed to analyze my current situation.’

- Sunet Wagner, Managing Director, MiniMax Entertainment (Pty) Ltd

'Jo is tough...but in a safe way. She helped us to stand up to our own (bullshit)'. Now we all move through things so much more quickly. She challenged the entire team to think about why we were at Glam Slam and how we were doing what needed to be done, including us as executives. The team is now cohesive, willing to go the extra mile and dedicated. Confidence and courage has increased and we bring the right people on board.

- Laurel Pretorius, Creative Director, Glam Slam(Pty)Ltd, Reinforcement Marketing Events Company

“Working with you has solidified my skills in terms of rendering them to my participants,I've become more assertive and articulate with what I share in workshops. I deal with life with more understanding and openness, I've shifted stereotypes from things I've learned from you,I've been recommended to run so many life skills workshops from learning from you, I'm a stronger and comprehensive musician who's international tour include workshops that are inspired by your skills.“

- Teba Shumba, Musician, life skills facilitator and community activist, CT

‘Within a very short time I found that I had, with Jo’s support and guidance, found the direction and focus that I so desperately wanted in my life. I was able to get back in touch with my authentic self and re-discover my true purpose. These words can do no justice to exactly how much that has opened up for me. During and following the coaching and facilitation which I have received from Jo, so many miraculous changes have taken place in my life. I was being crippled by low self-worth. I have also become more assertive with people in all areas of my life, from my husband, to my child, and to my colleagues.

When I started the coaching three months ago, I was quite sure that it would end in divorce within a year. Since then, I have learned to communicate better with my husband, which has eased the tension and reduced the confusion which we both experienced, enormously. We have been able to talk openly and rationally for the first time in years. When we do conflict now, I find I am so much better equipped to deal with the situation in a way that leads to a positive resolution with greater ease’

- Branwen, Operational Manager, Raizcorp Business Incubator (Pty) Ltd

'I am Kgaugelo Hlaka, and I met Kalavati through my photography course at the 'Market Fotoworkshop'. I have to begin with the fact that I am a perfectionist and I used to do things to get love, my deepest fear was that no one can truly love for who I really am. I was and still am dealing with self esteem issues; I have the confidence to do things, so that others can see and appreciate me (outer validation) but not the self-esteem to just be (inner validation). I was constantly reacting to things that are happening in my life.

Through Kalavati's courses, I learnt that I deserve love just because I am (alive) I learnt about my conscious and sub-conscious mind. Learning about how my thoughts are manifested in my life. I am visualizing daily about what I want in my life so that I can create my reality. I also practice affirmations example: “Every day in every way my life is better and better.” I find that they influence my thoughts to be of a half full approach rather then half empty.

My life has changed a lot since then. I wanted to do my internship at a top Magazine is SA and I interned at ELLE SA for three months. I wanted a digital camera to do photography full time; I have one now fully paid off. I wanted to be in a good relationship and I can safely say that I am involved with a very caring man, I was not even looking.

But because I made up my mind to think differently I am experiencing totally different things from the way my life was before. I am now currently employed with a company were I am learning so much which I wanted.

I am still a perfectionist (working on it of course) but it does not control my life anymore. I am learning to have bigger dreams so that I change my life it’s only a matter of time. I practice daily gratitude before I go to sleep; I say or write ten things that I am grateful for every night. This has helped me sleep well since I used to suffer from insomnia and sleeping very badly. I sleep well most nights which is a big change from before practicing gratitude.

I have learned a lot form Kalavati and I am deeply grateful for all the skills that I have learned from their the courses.'

- Kgaugelo Hlaka, Photographer

'When Jo facilitates, you get the feeling that all parts of her have become one. And this gives you the faith that there is a space for all parts of you to work in harmony within you and in the world. Jo’s workshops show you different parts of a map, the map inside you, whose areas sometimes are out of sight and out of reach. Jo will facilitate your own ability to see and you will be empowered to decide which route leads to your healing and ultimately your happiness.'

- Delia Meyer, Writer, Care Clown, Change Facilitator & Film Director.

'My experience as a participant in Jo's training is that she is well acquainted with the training subject manner, and she is committed to the principles of participatory and experiential learning. Learners are at the center of their own learning and are afforded the space to question and challenge. She is passionate about the process of learning, and the role of both the facilitator and learner within the process, and this creates an enthusiastic and constructive learning environment.'

- Sam Stern, Project Manager, Youth Development Network

Other participants from various Self-Esteem, Leadership and HIV/Aids courses: Market Photo Workshop * Names have been changed.

‘I've discovered that my depression is getting better. Today I noticed the sunflowers on the side of the road for the first time.’ Nelly

‘If many people, including myself, were like you as the foundation of this confused universe, then the world would be free! I’ve learned that you don’t have to be locked up in a physical prison. I see I have imprisoned myself with my mind’– Thulo

‘I've spoken about my brother’s murder for the first time. I’ve learned its okay to sit in the pain. I’ve learned its okay to be loved, and I don’t have to owe someone for that.’- Busi

‘I thought I was the kind of guy who couldn’t set goals. Wow, I have made goals and found the focus to accomplish them. Myprocrastination changed overnight. I just feel this happiness in side because many situations in my life have changed. Happiness equals productivity.’– Vusi

‘I feel like something has been taken out of me. It’s like beginning a new life.’ – Vuyo

‘I feel like I have broken free from the chains holding me back. I know I have taken the first step of my 1000 miles.’ -Thabo

‘I’ve never in my life expressed myself as I have here. I cherish the emotional side of this workshop. I see my life differently now because I have found myself within.’- Kabelo

‘I use to think in one way, it’s like my baggage has been taken off. I believe I can achieve anything now.’- Mandla

‘It’s been eye opening. Learning to listen and empathize with other people has been the greatest discovery in me. It was enlightening and worth every minute.’ – TK

‘I believe in myself. Thank you for being there for us.’- Deli

‘I had set challenges at the start of the year, but inside I didn’t think it was possible. Now I know for sure I can do it. I am gonna do it. I’m not looking back.’ – Mandu

‘I’ve learnt to enjoy other people’s accomplishments as much as my own. I’ve learnt I can’t change what I don’t acknowledge’ – Gail

‘I’m proud to say I’m a different person. I feel different. I’m brave. Jo, Thank you for everything.’ - Sally

‘You have given me tools to change my life, torchlight to find my way in the darkness. Thank you so much. You are a Malaika (an angel)’- Teba

‘The past two weeks have been difficult for me. I never thought Iwould live to see this day because of what is happening at home. If I didn’t have this workshop in my life I don’t think I would have made it. It has been so hard to face my denial to accept I am powerful. I am grateful to have let go. To have shared my burdens. I see things differently. I know how to say things differently. Thank you.” -Ali

‘You break things down in a way that makes difficult issues so much simpler. I’m starting to gain the power I had as a child. A lot of things scare me. I’m going to stop wishing things away and face them’- Nandi

‘It hit me how much prejudice I have. I also realized I am not doing enough in relation to HIV/Aids. It doesn’t have to be big, but something. I learned there is life after HIV.’ – Sindy

‘Now I am free to express myself in front of a group of people.’ – Nina

‘I have found a much stronger voice, which has an impact that delivers exactly what I want to say.’ Tumi

‘I don’t shake so much anymore when I talk in front of others’- Tiny

‘I have opened my mind, my thoughts and I am breaking free from my limits.’ - Pule