See Youth and Take a Girl Child to Work Day initiative takes place at Indaba Hotel

Cell C’s See Youth initiative saw a number of school learners engage in the discussion of empowerment among women, men and the youth.

August 24, 2022

Khomotso Makgabutlane 2 minutes read

Former Banyana Banyaya player Portia Modise, renowned South African actor Sello Maake ka-Ncube, and director of the Student Equity and Talent Management Unit at Wits University, Dr Zena Richards at the See Youth round table discussion in Fourways. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The question of what empowerment is was the topic of discussion at the Indaba Hotel among prolific South African personalities and learners on August 19.

Linah Seshaba of the Student Equity and Talent Management Unit at Wits University and Taryn Rae of The Tomorrow Trust enjoy their time at the See Youth round table discussion in Fourways. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Organised by Cell C as part of their See Youth and Take a Girl Child to Work Day initiative, schools from the greater Johannesburg area were given a chance to discuss what empowerment challenges were for women and men in society.

Emcee for the morning’s event, Lois du Plessis chats to attendees at the See Youth panel discussion in Fourways. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The panel was made up of five individuals from different spheres of life and included former South African women’s football player, Portia Modise; award-winning actor Sello Maake ka-Ncube; director of the Student Equity and Talent Management Unit at Wits University, Dr Zena Richards; counselling psychologist at The Tomorrow Trust, Moosa Maseko; and youth gamer Merrick James.

Student Equity and Talent Management Unit at Wits University, Dr Zena Richards on stage for the panel discussion on empowerment at the Indaba Hotel. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Learner Noluthando Dlamini gave her opinion on what empowerment was and why it was important in the workspace and schools.
“I believe it’s giving someone in authority the hope and the power they need. As women are going through different things in this world, they need to be empowered and given the strength they need to succeed,” she said.
Kagiso Tunzi of Unity Secondary School echoed Noluthando’s thoughts and added, “I think empowerment is how women are being recognised nowadays. In the past, only men were recognised but now I think we are starting to empower women more and recognise what they can do and are capable of,” he said.

Marona Seekane is ready for the discussions at the See Youth round table discussion at the Indaba Hotel. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Several questions went around the room that discussed masculinity, the inclusion of women in the gaming space and the traditional and non-traditional roles between men and women.
Another topic of discussion was the wage gap between women and men. Modise used the example of the current Banyana Banyana team’s struggles to obtain equal pay between women and men.

Some of the gift bags to be handed out to attendees at the Indaba Hotel for the See Youth event. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“I started discovering the unfairness that is happening in the sport for women. I was raised around boys and played with boys who saw me as an athlete and not a woman. They empowered me so I can make a living out of football.

Noluthando Dlamini answers a question of empowerment at the See Youth panel discussion in Fourways. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“I wanted to rule the women’s side and I knew I was next to shine. We as women and men are doing the same thing. If we sing our national anthem like Bafana Bafana at the stadium, why do we not get paid the same,” she asked.