To celebrate Woman’s Month, Shincheonjoi volunteers hosted a high tea event to honour the legacy of women in South Africa.
The high tea was hosted today, on 16 August in Cape Town and was inspired by this year’s Woman’s Day theme – “Building Resilient Economies for All.” The event gave women a moment to breathe, reflect and be uplifted. Women had the valuable opportunity to connect and share stories. Keynote speakers brought uplifting, inspiring messages.
“We come from a generation of strong women,” says speaker Shahieda Martin (Angel Community Outreach). She reminded guests that it was the approximately 20,000 women who, on 9 August 1956, took the bold step and marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to fight for the equality of the the struggles of women. “They pushed back the barriers.” She reminded females to never stop shining their light, “as someone is looking up to you.”
Mosaic Organization Care Manager, Chelsea Mamwel, said that offering women emotional support and a place of safety helps heal more than their lives, they lead them from victims to survivors. “It helps them, the survivors of domestic violence, to re-discover and re-imagine their lives.”
Philiswe Mthimkulu, Communnity Liason Officer Western Cape Department Social Development, reminded guests to tap into their networks and connect with a caring society that drives change. “We must create spaces for us to connect, not only in Women’s Month,” Mthimkulu added. In conclusion she said, “Here’s to strong women, may we know them, may be be them and may we raise them.”
For the New Heaven New Earth Church, where the event was hosted, Pastor Shirley Brown shared a testimony about faith, resilience and overcoming diversity. She said that spiritual economy cannot ne measured. “Women are change makers, they influence the lives of their daughter, granddaughters and generations to come.” Brown continued to say that women strengthen families and build communities. Before bidding guests good bey, Pastor Brown quoted, “… get up, dress up, glam up, show up, but never give up.”
The high tea proved to be an inspiring event where women could meet, have tea and connect. Through music, poetry and the speakers, the strength of a woman was celebrated, whilst stressing the fact that women are not in competition with each other and that women should proceed with the foundation of lifting each up.
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