GEORGE NEWS - The George Municipality's directorate for community services celebrated Women's Month last week, by hosting women from different walks of life at the George Museum with inspiring motivational speakers, a defence class by a police officer, crafts and a pampering session.
On Friday 30 August the gender and disability section held a Women's Day Conference for different women in the community.
Coordinator Ejustley Boshoff invited women who are already active citizens and who will easily get 20 women together to start a support group for women in their area.
Once a group of 20 women has been formed, the municipality will assist them with training opportunities like craft skills, needle work and administrative skills.Councillor Jacqulique von Brandis, who opened the event, said the change begins with each of us.
She said not everyone can be creators, but everyone can be a businesswoman. She saluted women who are already being the change they want to see.
Dr Muneera Muhamad, a local neuropsychologist and businesswoman, was the motivational speaker. She told women to complement each other, not to compete against each other.
"What types of books are you reading and movies do you watch? Are soapies, like 7de Laan or comics, resources that can broaden your mind?" she asked.
Some of the women attending the event were pampered with manicures. Clockwise from left are Linda Muller (in green), Patricia Klein, Belinda Ralikatana, Chané Hendricks, Veronique Ferndale, Janine Edwards and Melissa Markgraaff.
She said our mindsets can be a prison. "Free your mind from excuses and stop being negative. Begin by looking good. If you look good, you will feel good and then self-confidence will follow. Health is not only a skinny body but it comes in different shapes. If nothing has changed in your life in the past five years, you are not growing, you are dying," she said.
Speakers and attendees.
Vuyokazi Qwanyashe gave her testimony about how she survived through difficult circumstances as a child and how she has been living with HIV for more than 20 years and bounced back from life threatening illnesses.
Councillor Mercia Draghoender, gave her testimony about her difficult childhood after the death of her mother. She said she started working in the community without any compensation and today she picks the fruit of her labour. She was the very first female speaker of George and the first female mayor of George.
Deputy Mayor, Charlotte Clarke, said we all have our own story but we have to stand strong as women. "Queen Elizabeth the 1st said: 'I know I have the body of a weak feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king'.”
AO Jonathan Hardnick of George police shows the women how to defend themselves.
George Municipality's directorate for social development held a special event for women living on the street on Thursday 29 August. Portfolio Councillor for Social Development, Sean Snyman, encouraged the women by speaking about his own life and how he survived on the streets himself.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
