Gogos pampered at celebration of women
More than 200 grandmothers gathered at the community hall in Molweni for a morning of women empowerment and pampering.
GOGOS in Molweni were treated to a special beauty pageant extravaganza in commemoration of Women’s Day on Tuesday, 9 August.
More than 200 spectators attended the event and celebrated the inner beauty and confidence of women and made the statement that age is no barrier to be beautiful and strong. The contest took place at the KwaDinabakubo Hall with 24 contestants taking part, aged between 55 to 80 years old. It was organised by the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust’s social worker student, Thobeka Ndlovu, as a thank you to the Gogos she worked with during the past 12 months.
The guest speaker and inspirational teacher, Sizakele Madlala, opened the event with a motivational speech which was followed by traditional music performed by the grannies. The red carpet was then rolled out for the granny models and the prize-giving.
“We were all very excited about this beauty contest,” said Thobeka. “The women showed that even when you are a granny, this doesn’t mean you can’t achieve great things. And all of the gogos have shown their greatness – in their parenting, as breadwinners, and as role models for women whatever their age and background,” said Thobeka, a 46-year-old who has worked with various communities in the Highway area for the past five years.
Cwengi Myeni, Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust’s Granny Support Group manager said, “We are very proud of Thobeka who is not only a volunteer but has demonstrated huge commitment and love to the women in Molweni, in particular the grannies. She has worked tirelessly visiting the grannies, addressing the many social challenges they, and other women in the community, face.
“Thobeka is herself a role model for women everywhere who are studying to further themselves and who are passionate about bringing positive change and empowerment to women in this country.”
Thobeka is a single parent with a 25 year-old-son who she raised on her own. As a young gogo herself, she knows what it is like to raise a grandchild. Thobeka finished school at the age of 18 years, and became a mother at the age of 21. But this didn’t stop her educating herself. She worked first as a domestic worker and is set to fully qualify as a social worker next year.
