Bev Du Toit

Bev du Toit is a sought after consultant and keynote presenter on developing resilience and sustainable positive attitudes. She is engaged by leading brands and blue-chip companies who appreciate her ability to show people how to face challenges head-on.

Her warm and engaging manner combined with an intense belief in facing challenges and solving problems has assisted her in overcoming her own adversity to help people across all cultures take control of their lives.

Prior to Bev's diagnosis with ovarian cancer in 1996, she had been studying and training in wellness and personal growth. She put into practice her training in order to motivate her own healing process and after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy she went into remission in 1997.

Bev's background in civil engineering and entrepreneurial spirit resulted in her own computer school, restaurant and health practices, and she has also consulted as a project and event manager.

As an industrial theatre producer, workshop facilitator and international speaker she has connected with audiences of all age groups. Bev's industrial theatre productions have played to over 35 000 South African children, giving the country's youth valuable tools with which to overcome fears and face their future.

Bev du Toit co-developed the Cancer Coping Kit, in conjunction with The Cancer Association of South Africa, which assists newly diagnosed patients and their families in coping with their illness. The Kit is available countrywide and can be obtained free of charge from CANSA. Thanks to a substantial sponsorship from Lotto, the Kit is now available in English, Zulu, Sotho and Afrikaans. Bev received the Mariette Loots award this year for The Cancer Coping Kit. Bev works intensively with the Cancer Association, with her main focus on "making people cancer smart".

The Lance Armstrong Foundation has invited Bev to Dublin to present the Cancer Coping Kit at LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in August 2009.
Bev has made numerous television and radio appearances, and corporate visits, and has been interviewed extensively in the print media. She has had articles published in the Business Day, The Star Workplace, The Sowetan, Windows SA Magazine and Essentials Magazine.

Bev du Toit is based in Johannesburg and travels locally and internationally offering interactive seminar presentations, keynote presentations and workshops. She is a seasoned conference facilitator and a warm and entertaining MC.

Bev shares her life with Leo, who adores her and keeps her sane and her husky Kai, who lavishes her with love and makes her exercise.

• Live Alive!

 “For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment.” Viktor Frankl

Not long after Bev’s 30th birthday in 1996, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her tumour went from 3cm long to 11cm long in five days. She underwent surgery, but within 10 days another tumour had already developed in her body. She then started five long months of chemotherapy, battling side effects and emerged triumphantly in remission in 1997. She believes that her positive attitude made a significant difference to her recovery and has turned her experience with cancer into an opportunity to help others.

She documented her survival steps and co-produced an industrial theatre production called Taming your Tokoloshe. Bev's theatre production has played to over 35 000 South African children, giving the country's youth valuable tools with which to overcome fears and face their future.

Bev also co-developed the Cancer Coping Kit, in conjunction with The Cancer Association of South Africa, which assists newly diagnosed patients and their families in coping with their illness. The Kit is available countrywide and can be obtained free of charge from CANSA. Thanks to a substantial sponsorship from Lotto, the Kit is now available in English, Zulu, Sotho and Afrikaans. Bev works intensively with the Cancer Association, with her main focus on "making people cancer smart".

Bev’s experience with cancer has changed her in many ways. This upbeat, uplifting and inspirational talk explores how her cancer diagnosis and treatment changed her outlook on life. She discusses how she learnt to make to most of each day and shares practical and easy steps to do this. Gratitude, living in the moment and beauty breaks are just some of the wonderful aspects covered in this talk.