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 Centurion, Pretoria & Midstream and they are currently in the process of expanding nationwide.
· 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
· She was 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
· 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.
Some of the Programmes are:
· Issues of Faith
· SABC2 Fokus
· KYKNET Kwêla
· M-NET Carte Blanche
Sonja was the Chairman of Centurion Hospice for two consecutive years and she serves on the Board of Directors of a Boutique Retirement Hotel and the Body Corporate of a Retirement Home.
She is a former President of Toastmasters International (Centurion Club) and presents Seminars & Training in Hospitals and Retirement Homes around the country.
She was a Keynote Speaker at the 10th Child Health Priorities Conference at North-West University in 2019, Speaker at the Midwifery and Dying Conference, Cape Town (2020), Keynote Speaker at the Midwifery & Birth Conference, Cape Town (2017), the PsySSA Congress of the Psychological Society of SA (2016). Sonja was also invited as Guest Speaker at the SA Funeral Expo held by the NFDA 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.
She 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
· 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.”
Sonja 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.
She 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' and ‘Nader aan ‘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 2 little boys and a little girl. Sonja says: “If I knew how much fun grandchildren were, I would have had them first!”
