Meet Felicity Guest | Financial Abuse expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Felicity Guest and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Felicity, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I think many entrepreneurs have pondered many times in their careers to keep going or give up and just beyond the point of giving up was breakthrough. I think this encourages people to keep trying but the moment your heart is no longer in it, when you lose the passion it is a good time to give up.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
11 years ago I would never have imagined I would be doing what I do, I ended my marriage, which was long overdue like many other people do, nothing unusual about that. Things took a strange twist when he divorced me fraudulently, my life was a mess but I turned my mess into a message “you are not as powerless as you might think”.

Millions of women end up raising children on their own without any financial support, my son needs support for the rest of his life and I got stuck in the system so I studied the legislation, established what the systemic failures were and the social ills and started educating women, giving them the tools as well to navigate the process. This has empowered thousands and thousands of women to access and get justice and they have empowered many thousands of others.

This is a historic challenge for mothers, I am proud that through my actions many women have found their voices, many people have been inspired to get involved in social justice, to challenge social behavior, to study, to do research to contribute to social development, to build a better society. It has not been easy because disrupting the way we are socialized will take many generations, it is human nature to resist change but what we change today will benefit future generations.

Messages of gratitude of positive impact is what drives me when things don’t seem to be moving quick enough. I have just done what I felt driven to do, my son who can’t stand up for himself taught me to speak for those that do not have a voice. This is my hearts work, I have loads of compassion and empathy for humans but equal doses of tenacity, courage and determination, I channel my anger at injustice by challenging and holding those responsible that are meant to protect the marginalized and most vulnerable of society.

The lessons I have learnt are: it is ordinary people that do extraordinary things, to serve humanity is the greatest privilege, be consistent, be authentic, that just like a pebble tossed into a pond and causes ripples, so too will your deeds. One day a film maker heard me speak at an event and he said “you have a story to tell” we are now in talks to make a documentary of my life and my work, this will be part of my legacy. We connect and get inspired by people sharing their stories and if my story inspires others then the mess was my gift. Sometimes our life has to be completely shaken up, changed, rearranged to relocate us to the place where we are meant to be. I unintentionally became a brand and if my name is synonymous with courage, tenacity and change then may my brand will always be remembered.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: Trip up the iconic Table Mountain, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world in the cable car to take in the breathtaking views of Cape Town and beyond and then over the hill to Camps Bay for lunch at La Parada del Mar over looking what could be mistaken for the Mediterranean. A light tapas meal complimented with a bottle of Spier Signature sauvignon blanc wine.

Day 2: Wake up to an amazing view of Hout Bay Harbour from the balcony of the beautiful suite at the Hout Bay Manor. After a leisurely continental breakfast we head off to Simons Town over the famous Chapman’s Peak. The first road was constructed by prisoners who chiseled their way through the mountain in 1920. The views are beautiful all along the mountainous drive from Hout Bay over to the small town of Noordhoek on route to Simons Town. Boulders is home to the largest African Penguin colony where the penguin stroll amongst the beach goers who flock to the small intimate beaches amongst huge boulders. After a tour and close up with the penguins we head off to Harbour House in Kalk Bay Harbour for lunch. Lunch is defiantly fresh fish of the day caught by local fisherman, sipping a glass of wine and looking over the sea with the waves gushing against the rocks beneath.

Day 3: A trip to world famous Vergelegen Wine farm in Somerset West just out of Cape Town which was founded in 1700 by Adriaan van de Stel son of Simon van der Stel governor of the Cape at the time. This farm is steeped in South African history, vines were planted and the farm has produced great wines for over 300 years although he was recalled to the Netherlands for nefarious activities in 1706. Slave labour was used to develop the farm and in honour to these slaves their names are recorded on the walls of the museum. After a walk in the rose garden and the Camphor Forest with its ancient trees we lunch at the River Café situated in a glass marquee on the banks of the Lourens River. Lunch included fresh vegetables from the estate and a bottle of 2018 Vergelegen sauvignon blanc. A drive down to Gordens Bay Harbour and then along the Strand Beach road and made our way back to Cape Town.

Day 4: We drive 45 minutes out of Cape Town to do the Spice Route for chocolate tasting and browsing through the town of Paarl and then detour through Stellenbosch home to some of the finest wines, Cape architecture and one of the oldest universities in South Africa.  A quaint university town with old oak tree lined cobbled roads and fine restaurants, Stellenbosch is the second oldest town after Cape Town. Oysters for dinner at De Warenmarkt which is situated in a heritage building which adds to the ambiance and then check into Riverbos Guest House for the night.

Day 5: We head back to Cape Town for a walking tour of Bo-Kaap, the brightly painted homes and cobbled roads of what was previously racially segregated area for Malay citizens and known as Malay Quarter is stepped in history and houses the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum and is the oldest surviving residential neighbourhood. Afternoon coffee at Truth Coffee, a steampunk themed coffee shop in the city center for coffee and delectable cake. The next two nights are spent at the newish cutting edge tech Hotel Sky in the city center.

Day 6: Weather permitting, a tandem paraglide over the Atlantic Ocean from Signal Head which is an adrenaline rush landing on the Sea Point Promenade, followed by lunch at Shoreditch at the famous Winchester, a great cooking on coals eating experience pared with a locally made botanical infused High Tea Gin. The evening danced away at the classy The Athletic Club and Social in town.

Day 7: The week is wrapped up at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront with a trip out to Robbin Island where Nelson Mandela spent 26 years in prison which has now been turned into a museum as a reminder of the liberation struggle and it’s icons like Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and many others. Late lunch at Quay Four overlooking the harbour, watching the boats coming and going and the seals frolicking in the water whilst sipping a local craft beer and nibbling from a sea food platter.

Some of the other fun things to do in Cape Town are, stand-up paddling, the Hop On Hop Off tour on the Red Bus. Water cycling, paragliding, jet skiing and kite surfing are great options. There is a vibrant night life in Cape Town from trendy gin bars to craft beer bars and many clubs in and around Long street and Kloof Street.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Firstly my neuro diverse son, Dylan, for showing me purpose, the members of Child Maintenance Difficulties in South Africa who have trusted me to be their voice and my friends, who are to many to name, who have supported and encouraged me over the years.

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