Greater Benoni Child Welfare hosts empowering event for GBV victims

The event was made possible through proceeds raised from a recent women’s event held in Ward 27.

October 28, 2024

Ntombikayise Letlepo 2 minutes read

The director of Benoni Child Welfare, Vanessa Carelse said the event was a success because the women felt valued and appreciated. At the ladies’ tea were Tebogo Mashapa, Londiwe Ndlovu, Mapule Mahubo, Adele Pillay, Vanessa Carelse, Thando Nkomo and Ira Ndebele.

Dressed in elegant and classy attire, over 50 women attended a ladies’ tea organised by the Greater Benoni Child Welfare at Marivate Hall in Daveyton on October 17.

Under the theme ‘I Matter,’ the event aimed to empower survivors and victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and it served as a reminder to the women they are loved, regardless of where they are in their healing journeys.

Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph and women from local organisations such as Sekusile Ekhaya Labantwana, Theodora Victim Support Centre, Mercy Haven, and Manger Care Centre attended the event. They could interact and share similar experiences.

Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph gave a message of support to attendees.

Some of the attendees are Thembekile Masilela, Refiloe Lekgothwane, Rose Mbele, Thulisile Sikhakhane, Boitumelo Tlou and Nombuso Dladla.

According to the director of Benoni Child Welfare, Vanessa Carelse, they wanted to create a safe space for women who have endured abuse and treat them to a special day of care and self-reflection.

“We wanted to encourage participants to realise their worth, and to instil hope. The event was a success because the women felt valued and appreciated. Part of the trauma of abuse is the feeling of being broken, but today we focused on building them up and reminding them they matter,” said Carelse.

Nombuso Dladla, GBV activist and survivor, encouraged women to unleash their capabilities as she shared how she navigated her healing journey.

“My relationship started with love and ended with hate. The abuse was mainly emotional. I had no physical scars, but I was scarred emotionally and psychologically. As women, let us be there for each other and stay alert because the signs are always there,” said Dladla.

The guest speaker, Adele Pillay, emphasised the importance of self-care.

She encouraged women not to dwell on their pain and past, but to focus on their dreams.

Guest speaker Adele Pillay encouraged women to be the stars in their own scripted movie called Life.

Enjoying themselves at the Ladies’ Tea event organised by the Greater Benoni Child Welfare at Marivate Hall in Daveyton on October 17 are Phillytus Madumo and Thandi Moloro from Theodora Victim Support Centre.

“To thrive, you must change your identity. Speak about yourself as a change agent, as a woman of power. Start to add more meaning and shift your identity so that you are more than a victim of domestic violence. Hope needs to find us. All you have done is cry and beg for love and attention, but you don’t know you have a part of you filled with good emotions.

“Take care of yourself before anyone else. Focus on things that bring you joy,” said Pillay.
She urged women to be the stars in their scripted movie called Life.

“Align with your dream, put in the work to get a fruitful outcome, and when an opportunity arises, you must be ready,” said Pillay.