Skills offered to empower women and children
The Women of Virtue Global Organisation held a women empowerment workshop at Phola Park Community Hall on April 28.
The workshop was held in line with Freedom Day celebrations on April 27. It has been 24 years since South Africa got its independence in April 1994.
Ntombi Kamissoko, the founder of the organisation, said the purpose of the workshop is to empower women with skills like career guidance.
She said life coaching and mentorship were also offered with the aim of making women less dependent on men.
Female learners from Buhlebuzile Secondary School, People Opposing Women and Children Abuse (POWA), South African National Council on Alcoholism (Sanca) and the community of Phola Park were present during the workshop.
Nwabisa Kali also blessed the crowd with her presence. She sang motivational songs like Ubukhosi Ngobakho, meaning The Kingship is for women.
Kamissoko said she was encouraged by the death of the mother of the nation, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, to organise this event.
She said Madikizela-Mandela contributed a lot in the struggle to fight against apartheid.
“As a woman myself, I am very proud of her involvement in the struggle. I wish other women of this country can take her as an example and use the same energy to fight against any form of abuse against women and children.
“Its 24 years after this country got its independence but I am not happy because I strongly believe woman’s rights are still not respected. Women are still the victims of abuse,” said Kamissoko.
She added that her organisation’s long-term goal is to inform women and offer them skills that are going to make them independent.
“There are men who are not men enough – who take advantage of women because women are depending on those men. So in future, I do not want any women who are going to sit at home and feel sorry for themselves just because they have been abused by men who are breadwinners. The freedom that Nelson Mandela fought for, gives women an opportunity. We have to stop look down upon ourselves and make good use of the opportunity that is in our midst,” said Kamissoko.
She went on to add that the law enforcement of this country must be firm and give the punishment that they deserve to all the men who take advantage of women and children.
