THE FUNERAL HOME OF TOMORROW
Sonja Smith-Janse van Rensburg is Managing Director of the Sonja Smith Funeral Group since inception date, 1 March 2006. This Multi-Award Winning Company is based in Benoni, Centurion, Fourways, Mayville, Meyerspark, Midstream, Montana, Moot, Moreletapark & Roodepoort and she is currently in the process of expanding nationwide. She has received many Accolades:
Nation
al Small Business Chamber of SA:
Woman in Business Champion 2015
Business Excellence Forum SA:
Most Innovative Company 2015
Hirsch's Centurion:
Woman in Business Achiever October 2015
Sonja is also a former Businesswoman of the Year of the Centurion Business Forum as well as a Centurion of the Year finalist. She does many Radio Talks on a variety of subjects and was aired on RSG (Praat Saam & Geestesgesondheid), Classic Business on Classic FM, Pretoria FM and Radio Pulpit. She has also featured in 7 National Television Programmes, some in which she created huge awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease & Stillborn Babies around the country. She is a past President of Toastmasters International (Centurion Club) and presents Seminars & Training in Hospitals and Retirement Homes around the country. She was a Guest Speaker at the SA Funeral Expo held at the Sandton Convention Centre in 2014, with her topic The Funeral Home of Tomorrow. Sonja is a member of the Gerontological Association of SA, (Pretoria-branch) where they focus on the needs of the Aged. Sonja is regarded as a leading role player in the Funeral Industry of SA, she is an Entrepreneur, an Innovator and was the first to introduce Green Funerals to SA. She has been featured in many newspapers, magazines such as Rapport, Beeld, Volksblad & Die Burger, Vrouekeur, Entrepreneur, Finesse and The SA Wood & Timber Times, who wrote the following about her fresh and new approach to the funeral industry, especially with regards to her Natural Woven Products.
“A remarkable endeavour, firstly because of the gall inherent in challenging the traditional coffin-manufacturing route that to date has ruled the roost locally. Secondly, it’s permeated by a strategic vision that far outstrips the boundaries set for the local funeral industry to date. Thirdly it makes for a softer approach to the harsh reality of death. And finally, it encapsulates the spirit that make entrepreneurs who they are – daring to go where none have gone before.”
She regularly travels overseas where she establishes links with overseas suppliers, investigates new concepts in funerals and renews the funeral industry locally with her fresh approach. Sonja is also the Founding Director of The Voice of the Unborn Baby, a Non-Profit company that is currently challenging legislation with regards to miscarried/stillborn babies. It is a huge ethical debate and Sonja is fighting for her Cause that miscarried babies born before 26 weeks of gestation should not be treated as medical waste. Sonja wants to change legislation in order for parents of these babies to have a choice as to what should happen to the mortal remains of their babies who never saw the light. She was the Guest Speaker at a Healing Concert held at Artscape, Cape Town during Womens’ week on this subject. A Parliamentary Questionnaire has already been raised as a result of her efforts. On television, SABC2 covered the story 'Net vir 'n Graffie' on Fokus and 'Miscarriage of Justice' was the main feature on M-Net Carte Blanche during October 2015. Sonja is married to Rian Janse van Rensburg, a Certified Financial Planner with SANLAM. They have 2 sons and a daughter and are the proud grandparents of 3 grandchildren. Sonja says: “If I knew how much fun grandchildren were, I would have had them first!”
