People from all walks of life gather in White River for annual event aimed at fighting against gender-based violence and femicide
Various speakers shared their experiences and proceedings raised were donated to those in need.
With a mission to support those who have been victims of gender-based violence (GBV), the annual Gender-based Violence and Femicide Mpumalanga Red Carpet Fundraising Gala event was hosted at the Pine Lake Inn on Saturday August 3.
Blessing M Holdings (Blessing Mmola), in partnership with Born Book and Business Coach’s Shanei Born, hosted this successful event.
It was an elegant affair at which all the guests got to walk on the red carpet and dress up for this much-loved occasion. Born said they managed to achieve their goal.
There were various speakers during this event, including Blessing Sunday, Mlungisi Zondi and Martin Pelders, and they shared their experiences. Born got to share her experiences and how she managed to make it through them.
“I shared my GBV experience and how I managed to start from zero. I literally had the clothes in my bag and no cellphone. I had a computer, my faith and intellectual property.
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I started my business according to God’s purpose and turned that into financial independence. I am now a book and business coach. I help people publish their books.”
The well-known Sophie Ndaba was one of the guest speakers. She shared what one must do when one gets to the turning point. The guests loved her perceptions and how she turned her pain into something beautiful, and built herself up again.
Miss Thems also shared her story. She is a burn survivor. Her husband poured petrol on her and her two-year-old daughter and she had to fight in order to get out of the house.
She was in a coma. When she awoke, she suffered the pain of finding her daughter having since died.
The MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, said people need to all look in the areas of influence and shape the future generation so that these senseless acts come to a halt with immediate effect.
“We need to be proactive in moulding true leaders who are able to take no for an answer, who do not feel undermined when their decisions are questioned.
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We must find ways to address the root causes of gender-based violence. We must come together in these forums and challenge and change the cultural norms and systemic structures that allow such violence to persist.”
Dlamini said they all need to create an environment that will enable the affected women to come out and report these crimes without the fear of stigmatisation.
“In fact, they must find comfort in knowing that their voices are powerful and essential in breaking the cycle of abuse.
It is important that we make one another aware as women, that by reporting these perpetrators we are not only seeking justice for ourselves, but also protecting others from a similar harm.”
The proceeds that were raised during the event were donated to those in need.
