Khayelitsha women mark Women's Month with a focus on empowerment and entrepreneurship

Over 100 women from across Khayelitsha gathered at the Site B community hall on Friday, August 29, to mark the conclusion of Women’s Month with an event focused on empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Organised by the local Department of Social Development in partnership with Emthonjeni NGO, the gathering aimed to inspire women to start their own ventures and advocate for themselves within their communities.

Thandeka Molose, a social worker from the Department of Social Development in Khayelitsha, said: "There is no doubt that women have played a major role in the freedom that South Africans enjoy today. However, more needs to be done to empower them, both physically and mentally." She highlighted the ongoing challenges women face, particularly in relation to abuse, and called for a transformative change.

"This year’s theme is 'Let’s Empower Them All.' It is our responsibility to implement programmes that uplift women. Women are powerful individuals capable of overcoming any challenge. Today, we are closing this month by encouraging them to become independent, both financially and otherwise," she said.

Ms Molose added that women continue to face serious issues such as substance abuse, which often leads to further victimisation. She urged men to join the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) within their communities.

Nomfundo Eland-Mwanda, founder of Emthonjeni, spoke about the importance of supporting women’s mental health. Her organisation provides groups for single parents and survivors of abuse, while also running school programmes on teenage pregnancy.

"We are concluding this month with a bang. We will provide women with tools to help them start their own small businesses. We aim to go beyond mere discussions and offer practical assistance. Our organisation also visits schools to educate young adolescent girls about the risks of teenage pregnancies. We want our young girls to make informed decisions as early as possible," Ms Eland-Mwanda said.

She encouraged women to report any acts of abuse to their nearest police stations, as many experiences often go unnoticed or are ignored.

Andisiwe Mbunje, director of the Isibane seAfrica Dance group, encouraged women to support one another. "I urge young wives and women to stand up for themselves. Let us build our confidence and support each other. Some women come from homes with abusive partners or face challenges with their children, but when they gather socially, they should find love and support. We must strive to love one another," she said.

Men who attended the event also encouraged women to speak out and report any cases of GBV, while acknowledging their own struggles. Local councillor Khaya Gxasheka expressed his satisfaction in working closely with various women’s organisations. He admitted that GBV cases are prevalent in his ward due to high unemployment and the presence of informal settlements, which make up 90% of his area.

Meanwhile, community member Makhaya Jezile attended dressed as a woman to symbolically experience life from a female perspective. “I wanted to understand what it feels like to be a woman. After putting on make-up and dressing up, I realised how challenging it is. On behalf of all men, I apologise for how we have treated women,” he said. "I now understand the effort it takes to be a woman."

The event concluded with women singing and dancing.