On 20 December 2023, EMPH marked a proud milestone: our very first year-end function. Our three founding members — Mitcham Haynes, Stephen Havenga and Tiaan Van Niekerk — brought their families together to close out the year the way it deserved to be closed: with good food, good drink and good company.
Photo placeholder — Mitcham Haynes, Stephen Havenga, Tiaan Van Niekerk and their families at EMPH’s first year-end function, 20 December 2023
It was the first time the three founders had brought their families together outside of the day-to-day of building the business, and it showed — the evening was less about looking back at invoices and deadlines, and more about the people who had made the year possible in the first place. Kids ran between the tables, plates were refilled more than once, and the conversation moved easily between old stories and plans for the year ahead.
“This first year hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every bit of it,” the founders said. “Getting to share that with our families, and not just each other, made the evening. Here’s to the next one.”
From all of us at EMPH — thank you to everyone who has supported us through our first year. We’re looking forward to many more milestones, and many more year-end functions, to come.