As young women continue to face challenges such as gender stereotypes, discrimination and bias, The Mentorship Academy (TMA) and Virgin Active Mbombela decided to honour them with a wellness and networking session.
This Women’s Month event was held on Saturday August 20. It was initially planned for 15 young women, but 40 turned up. Brenda Mabaso, the founder and director of TMA, said they identified the importance of a work-life balance, management skills and techniques as critical for leadership growth.
“The event achieved more than what was expected. One of the key objectives was to promote the importance of mental stability as a strategy for dealing with leadership challenges and for ensuring physical and emotional wellness. Building an inner peace is one way of building confidence and contentedness in oneself. The wellness programme has equipped the young women with practical life skills for managing many challenges and barriers.”
The academy was established to provide mentorship support for young women and to unleash their potential to take leadership roles in society.
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Mabaso said a number of lessons were learnt during this session. “It was clear that young women learn easily and better if in a social setup, because they easily open up and freely share their aspirations.”
The speakers had components issues to unpack for the attendees. Mathews Matsetela shared physical training tactics that addressed emotional strain, information on the importance of the work-life balance and the importance of maintaining a proper diet.
The guest speaker, herself a mother, businesswoman and mentor, Brenda Archdeacon, shared how young women can deal with gender injustices, work-life balance issues and barriers for achieving dreams.
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Three mentees, part of the TMA programme, shared their journey – Lungi Mthimunye, Siphumelele Ngomane and Dimpo Lushaba. Mabaso said the event far exceeded its purpose.
“This is thanks the Virgin Active team. Aletta Lengwati, the sales manager, embraced the idea of the young women’s wellness session.” She said they will host another similar event in November.
