"Relaunching Instinct in my hometown where I started it and incorporating revenue from every sale to empower underprivileged students is a dream come true. Business can solve big social problems but if I can just help with one small problem, the life trajectory of a student, then my mission will be fulfilled."
Beverly’s Story
Vision. Courage. Transformation. These three words trace the path of Beverly Afrikaner, whose journey from a curious 12-year-old in Elands Bay to a powerful leader at 9Miles Project continues to inspire.
It all began with a simple ticket to a surf clinic. In a space dominated by boys, Beverly was one of only two girls brave enough to face the waves. But her courage didn’t stop at the shoreline. She quickly became a trusted figure at the newly formed Elands Bay branch – committed, dependable, and quietly rising.
In 2021, she joined the GEM (Girl Empowerment Movement) programme, a turning point that deepened her sense of self. “GEM helped me move with my values and not sacrifice them for anything,” she says.
Since then, Beverly has stepped confidently into roles that shape lives -mentoring girls, coordinating programmes, tutoring across communities, and earning qualifications as a Sailing Instructor and First Aid Responder. She’s also the first in her family to matriculate, breaking generational cycles and paving the way for her siblings.
Now studying Sport Administration through Laureus Sport for Good, Beverly continues to lead with purpose. “The things we accept as normal -teenage pregnancy, drinking, unemployment – they’re not our only future. I want to be proof of that.”
Her story is a reminder that when young women are equipped with belief, guidance, and opportunity, they don’t just grow – they lead. Beverly is living proof.
