THE Saved by Word organisation hosted a meet and greet afternoon tea on Saturday, August 16, to empower women, create a community among them and glorify God.

The event at the Cowies Hill Community Hall was about conversation among women who celebrated themselves during their month.

It was also intended to be a meet and greet among people and community leaders, and to create working relations in order “to build safe, faith-filled spaces for abused women in need of support and hope”.

One of the founders of Saved by Word, Nontuthuzelo Mbonambi, said the organisation hopes to partner with more community leaders, businesses and government departments “to grow our reach and bring lasting change”.

Mbonambi said the organisation was formed after she saw a need for women to have a space where they can air their problems – some which cause immense stress, lead to hospitalisation, and in some cases death, even by suicide, which she has witnessed.

“So I realised that maybe we should open up a space where women can talk and let it all out and get help. We wish to work with the police, psychologists, social workers and councillors, who would also attend the space and be part of our organisation so that we can decrease the problems which women have to deal with,” said Mbonambi, who added that the organisation also wants to have a safe house one day and help children in order to “break generational curses” for the sake of nation building.

One of the guests of the tea, Thembelihle Mdletshe, shared her testimony about how her faith and prayer has carried her through life threatening situations.

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Ward 18 councillor Melanie Brauteseth also shared about her hardships which have shifted her perspective to seeing more of the good and positive in life.

The councillor’s advice to the women in attendance was that they should learn to accept themselves holistically and better understand their strengths and weaknesses.

“We have got to learn to accept our failures, grow from them, itemise them and find a way to make things better,” advised Brauteseth.

The councillor thanked some members of her team, Nombuso Sibiya, Zeni Dlamini, Pinky Makhathini and Philisiwe Happiness Nsele, who were also part of the afternoon tea, who play an important role in her office.

Mbonambi also shared her heartbreaking story which nearly drove her to suicide as her mental health hit the rocks and she suffered severe sleep deprivation.

“It was really painful. I have this thing that as women we have to learn to be independent. This is not a campaign against marriage but we need to learn what is marriage and what is expected of us,” said Mbonambi.

She added that men, too, should desist from the emotional and psychological abuse they perpetrate when relationships are in rough seas.

“The mental health of women, that is what we want to deal with so that women can make sound decisions about their lives and raise their children accordingly,” said Mbonambi, who added that ultimately a gathering between both genders will be necessary in future.

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