August is Women’s Month, a period during which the role of women in the empowerment of fellow citizens are emphasised. Exemplary in this role among the women of Limpopo is Martha Manamela-Tladi, recent winner of the Honorary Award in the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa’s (Bwasa) Regional Business Achiever Awards (RBAA).
After matriculating in 1979 she obtained a Diploma in Human Resources as well as entry level subjects towards a Social Science Degree from Unisa. She also attended courses in Front Line Public Relations, Trauma Counselling and Project Management and short courses in Management Science and Food Security in India.
Manamela-Tladi joined Absa in 1995 and retired in 2012. She managed Absa’s Limpopo Government banking relationships from 1996 to 2008 and facilitated Absa’s automated teller machines at the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) and St Engenas ZCC pilgrimages from 2008 and is still actively involved in the project.
During her employment at Absa, Manamela-Tladi received a Bronze Prestige Award as Best Employee in 2008, the Silver Prestige Award for Best Employee with Cash also in 2008 and the Bronze Prestige Award for Best Community Developer with Cash in 2010. She was the Chairperson of the Provincial Early Childhood Development (ECD) Awards from 1998 to 2012.
Manamela-Tladi is the co-founder of the Limpopo First Lady Trust and the Takalani-Nana Home-based Care. From 1997 to date she is the organiser of the Limpopo Premier and spouse’s outreach events towards vulnerable members of society.
In 2010 Manamela-Tladi started the School Shoes Project for Child Headed Families and in 2011 took the lead in the Library Project for Needy Schools in Limpopo.
After retirement Manamela-Tladi launched the Baby Shower Investment Project that encouraged parents and their guests to purchase investment vouchers for unborn babies in lieu of presents, thereby contributing towards their future. A project to educate female pastors and spouses of pastors through a help desk, as well as a single parent counselling program were also launched.
Manamela-Tladi describes herself as a social investment advocate and believes in giving people resources rather than money. “I am extremely grateful towards every person that contributed towards who I am now,” she concluded.
She concluded the interview with the salutation ‘Halala basadi, halala’.
Story and photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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Featured photo: Social investment advocate Martha Manamela-Tladi.
