​The City of Johannesburg’s Social Development Department in collaboration with Westgate Mall management celebrated women’s month at Westgate Mall in Roodepoort. Dora Mashita of Citizens Relations and Urban Management in Region C said the event, which was sponsored by Edgards, Movement 2015, Boulevard Funeral Parlour and Young Women’s Dignity including Rocco Mama Restaurant, was to uplift, develop and empower each other as women.

Author and motivational speaker Tshidi Nchabeng shared her story of domestic abuse and how she survived multiple abusive relationships, one of which left her with a gunshot at the head.

“I am a survivor of domestic violence, currently living with two bullets in my body. That time, 12 years ago, I could not speak, see nor move my body. I ended up having depression. To date I cannot carry heavy stuff with my hand and I live with a ‘shower sound’ in one of my ears that doctors could not fix,” said Nchabeng.

She cautioned women not to live a lavish lifestyle at the expense of abusive relationships.

Martha Langa of the Dobsonville Human Rights Centre encouraged women to assist and support each other by giving resources of help like toll-free numbers to report gender-based violence and stop blaming each other or why these women are in those kinds of relationships.

Vathiswa Nkuzo from Gauteng Department of Community Safety Forum said they have met many women in Region C that are going beyond their means to try and stabilise the community, reaching out to those who are vulnerable.

“The time has come to honour and appreciate them as truly Mbokodos and encourage them to never give up on the good they are doing. This is the second programme we have in this City Region and we have taken upon ourselves as a community forum to celebrate these women, annually,” said Nkuzo.

Twenty women were identified by the community members for their amazing work and awarded with “Women Power Awards” certificates.

Written by Thembelihle Radebe

28/08/2023