Young leader from Gauteng pushes for change in women’s representation
From Kwa-Thema to national leadership, meet the young woman mentoring the next generation and fighting for women's voices to be heard.
Kwa-Thema – Priscilla Lydia Mabena (28) believes that institutions should be inclusive for a dynamic and formidable impact and has been nominated in the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) Board of Trustees elections 2025.
“Born and raised in Kwa-Thema, I am passionate about issues surrounding women and children as vulnerable groups in society.
“Outside of my 9-to-5 job, I am a peer educator at UNISA and the Gauteng Chapter president of the Young Social Workers’ Network (YSWN), an NGO for social workers across the South African region, with a footprint in countries such as Lesotho and Botswana, and plans to launch in other neighbouring countries,” she explained.
Mabena holds an honours degree in social work and is currently completing her honours degree in psychology.
“One of the initiatives I seek to drive as Gauteng president of the YSWN is women and leadership, mentoring other women into leadership.
“Because of the history of apartheid and how women were oppressed and excluded, we continue to find ourselves having to constantly prove our worth and capability in society. Issues of GBV make us even more marginalised as women.
“I believe women have all the potential and capacity to lead—in business, education, politics, and wherever they are placed. For instance, we are raised in women-led households and we turn out well. This is a strong indication of the strength women possess and their ability to hold their own,” she added.
Mabena herself mentors younger women.
“I understand its impact because I, too, had mentors from primary school through to university who played a big role in supporting me.
ALSO CHECK: ‘Screening saves lives’: Nurse educates women on cervical cancer and pap smears
“It takes a village to raise a child, and I want to be part of the village that empowers women to leave abusive relationships, to make something of themselves, and realise their dreams and potential.
“I want to be part of a village that holds solution-driven discussions on how we can prevent GBV, not just heal its wounds,” she added.
Mabena is candidate 29 on the ballot of the GEMS Board of Trustees. Voting opened on July 7 and will close on September 6.
Government employees on GEMS received their secret ballot paper number via SMS or email, which they can use to vote together with their membership number via 1347777#, a free USSD service.
