Aphiwe Theodorah Mvinjelwa
We are celebrating women of different demographics. In Mzansi, (South Africa), the 9th of August is Women’s Day and the month of August is National Women’s Month. This platform has been granted to pave a way for women to be recognized for their accomplishments and the crucial roles they play. There is no discrimination, every woman that played and continue to make an impact in South African society today is celebrated.
This phenomenal commemoration was established on the 9th of August 1956, an additional amount of 20 000 women of different class, age, ethnics integrated into groups and expressed their unity to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Their purpose was to protest opposing the biased pass laws enforced on women in South Africa.
Our heroines who led the march were “Lilian Ngoyi – a trade unionist and political activist, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn”.
Make a difference
Our Women in South Africa need to be honoured by what they have accomplished. Those who walked before us have paved the way, their achievements continue to stimulate us to unleash our own convictions and inspire us to make changes in our families, our communities and at large.
Let us go out there, and praise the women in our lives. You also have the ability to make a difference this Women’s Month, don’t hesitate, your voice and impact are as necessary as the next person.
Now, I have selected a few women that are currently making waves in South Africa.
This young lady, Refilwe Sebothoma, (31) is a businesswoman donating towards the township’s economy. She established – Puso-Busa-Mmuso (PBM) Creations. She grew up in Marikana (the village followed by controversy and prominently known for mines), She saw a requirement and a suitability for workers to wear safety clothes on the job.
That was the beginning of greatness in her business. Her consistent concern and inspection on mine workers provided her with a solution to a problem; She navigated and saw a chance within her community and snatched it with both hands.
She expanded her interest in protection and safety and educating herself about it in depth. – “If I had to start a business, it would definitely be in mining.”
In order to have an impact on our communities, we need to be a solution to our social problems. There is always a need to be met; only the brave and fierce take a stand for those who are timid.
The second influential woman making a difference, Sue Barnes – Improving life for female scholars.
We cannot deny the elevation in the request for washable hygienic pads and underwear between disadvantaged young ladies, Sue Barnes established – Subz.
It has been stated that an additional amount of 9 million female students in South Africa, ranging from 10 and 19 years of age, are prohibited from attending school for at least 90 days of school on yearly bases because they cannot purchase their own sanitary pads.
They are not exposed to them. Barnes outlined, expanded and invented continual washable sanitary pads that have a 5-year period of longevity. Her product permits these girls to be present at school without fail.
“My youngest daughter, who attends a remedial school due to her dyslexia, came home one day with an appeal from her school for sanitary pads and underwear,” says Barnes.
“I went to the school to find out what it was all about, and discovered just how many South African girls have to skip school while menstruating. I immediately thought of my own daughter. If she missed a week per month of school, there is no way she would be able to catch up. It’s tragic that anyone in their teen years should face this dilemma.”
She is a Hero without a doubt; Barnes dispenses Subz sanitary pads to these young ladies who are deprived without charging them. She continues and extends her contribution by providing important educational knowledge concerning the female reproductive system. What propels her to advance these girls is the limited education on health and welfare matters these girls are exposed with. Her creative solution is manageable and is building an observable difference to female students.
Our last but not least, Thato Kgatlhanye launched Rethaka Trading, the business that leads Repurpose School Bags to market for distribution.
This enterprise master in green creative solutions that pays attention to social advancement. Repurpose School Bags – allows children deprived of electricity at home to own a light and have the opportunity to conduct schoolwork with ease during the night.
The poverty-stricken communities have children who have to walk home, despite the distance, and on top of that be expected to be mentally stimulated to complete their homework prior setting of the sun.
Now, the good news is that the backpacks have a solar panel joined inside the bag to power an LED light. The beauty of it all is that they are 100% reusable-plastic schoolbags. This is a guarantee that deprived children are able to learn and accomplish their homework after dark.
“I realised that I had an opportunity to solve some of the problems that children in our community face while also looking after the environment. For example, the integration of the solar component is necessary, as some would love the privilege of burning the midnight oil, but they literally cannot afford to and many face the reality of ‘rationing’ candles. Also, walking long distances without any safety measures in place, called for the integration of reflective material for increased visibility,” explains Kgatlhanye.
