Mrs Soweto visit Ikageng Centre
The meeting which took place at Ikageng Centre saw some residents, especially those volunteering at the centre gathered to engage with Tlhapi.
Ward 39 Cllr, Lefa Molise, invited the newly crowned Mrs Soweto 2023, Mel Tlhapi to share ideas on community programmes they can collaborate on during her reign on September 15.
The meeting which took place at Ikageng Centre saw some residents, especially those volunteering at the centre gathered to engage with Tlhapi.
“I am not a super woman; I come from humble beginnings just like most of the young men and women who volunteer at the Ikageng Caregiver Centre.
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“I know what it feels like to be a child growing up in a poverty stricken home and trying the best to be the best. When the best meets the best dynamite is birthed,” Tlhapi said.
She added as someone who previously suffered from depression she did not let the situation define her as she managed to overcome most of the challenges she was faced with during the time.
The mother and tourism fanatic aims to advocate for Sowetans and assist them to raise their crowns regardless of their background.
“I pledge my hand into helping already established care centres to fulfil their community mandate in Soweto. I am not all talk and no show but I challenge organisations to find innovative solutions to make NPOs work and work for their volunteers.
“Volunteers cannot always volunteer as they also have family responsibilities, so I make it my mission to equip them to raise capital needed for them to thrive however I refuse to baby anyone. We need to do it together.”
Dr. Tshegofatso Mathe, the founder of the Mrs Soweto Empowerment Programme pledged that Mrs Soweto will adopt the Ikageng Centre as their charity of choice for the reining year of the first Mrs Soweto.
“We believe in the proof being in the pudding and thus we are committed to working with those that want to work and make a difference in Soweto.
“Ikageng is the second charity Mrs Soweto Empowerment Programme adopts and await for great things from this collaborative effort,” Mathe said.
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“Our mother as fondly known as Malefa Mel Tlhapi has made amazing strides in the first month of her reign.
“We have seen her enter the doors of the City of Joburg Economic Development and we are confident that as a product of small businesses in Soweto, she is an exceptional mentor.
“During the meet and greet with Ikageng Centre volunteers, she already threw ideas on how to fund raise for the organisation.”
Local women behind the GBV brigade team applauded Tlhapi as she mentioned some of the possible causes of this pandemic.
They said Mrs Soweto is giving married, divorced, windowed, engaged and matured women hope that they are also meant to be celebrated and honoured as they go through life challenges.
