Women’s Day event restores dignity and hope in Vosloorus
Local women walked away from Friday’s Way Forward Centre event with more than just clothes, they left with renewed confidence, health checks, and practical tools to build better futures.
Social auxiliary worker from Central Gauteng Mental Health Society, Nozifiso Madlala.
The Way Forward Centre for Community Development, a Vosloorus-based NPO, hosted a Women’s Day celebration on August 7, aimed at restoring dignity and bringing hope to women through clothing donations, health services, and empowerment talks.
Partner organisations, including the Department of Health (J Dumani Clinic), the Central Gauteng Mental Health Society, Wheels of Change, FNB, Jumpstart Programme, African Choice Foundation and the Department of Social Development, offered on-the-spot services like mobile clinics, financial literacy, youth development and community development.
South African People Civic Organisation’s Prudence Gumbi and Mahadi Miya.J Dumani Clinic’s Lindiwe Sokhela and Lerato Mofokeng with Way Forward Community Development’s Nomthandazo Ndlovu and Gugu Mkhwanazi.
The event saw the day turned into a practical resource hub. Ladies could step into the mobile clinic from the J Dumani Clinic for basic health checks, while the Mental Health Society opened conversations around emotional well-being, often a silent struggle in many households.
Department of Health representatives Ntsoaki Movake and Modiegi Ramatlhare.
FNB hosted a financial literacy talk. Wheels of Change delivered an empowerment session, and the Jumpstart Programme focused on youth development, a nod to the many women raising the next generation.
The African Choice Foundation spoke on community development, and officials from the Department of Social Development were on hand to guide women on available support structures. “Our purpose today is to restore dignity and bring hope,” said Nombulelo Gawe, centre manager at Way Forward Centre for Community Development.
Way Forward members Sinelisiwe Ngubo, Nombulelo Gawe and Busisiwe Mthethwa.
“Through the generous donation of clothing and the support of our partners, we want every woman to feel valued, respected and empowered.”
African Choice Foundation’s Sibongile Mabunda said, “We used to play with dolls that sometimes didn’t have arms/legs/eyes, and we embraced them a lot, but now that we have to do it in real life with actual adults, it’s suddenly difficult. Be an inspiration to those around you.”
African Choice Foundation Sibongile Mabunda.
Gawe noted the event also served as a reminder to women that they matter, encouraging confidence, and showing the power of communities working together.
