GEORGE NEWS - With the end of Women's Month drawing near, women of Thembalethu were motivated at an uplifting event held on Wednesday 30 August at the Thusong Community Centre hall. Despite the cold weather, 50 keen guests arrived. The day centred around topics like violence against women, abuse against women, drug abuse among children and depression, and how to overcome them.

Memela Noyakaza, delegate from the Department of Local Government and event coordinator, said the aims of the Women's Day event are to commemorate the bold women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1956 and to encourage women to be courageous. "Today, women of Thembalethu will unite," Noyakaza said.

Social Development worker and motivational speaker, Nolubabalo Batakati, took the women through her speech with a visual representation of life before and after hardships. 

Batakati motivated the women who are suffering from depression, abuse and violence. "You are women, pillars of the community, country and your family, so you can overcome."

Stakeholders who helped to realise the event are Social Development, Ithemba Lobomi and Phambili Refuge for battered women and children.

Event coordinators and Department of Local Government delegates, Memela Noyakaza and Eunice Hlahla together with a few of the women who attended the Women's Day event. Photos: Brümilda Swartbooi

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'