Women celebrates 20 years of neighbourly love

Support, love and care are among the foundations that keep the Birchleigh North and Norkem Park Neighbourhood Club strong.

The club is made up of women who share the common goal of supporting and motivating each other.

Members of the club dressed to the nines when they celebrated the club’s 20th anniversary in Norkem Park recently.

“The club was established in 1998 with only a few women. The main aim was essentially to offer support and care in an event that a fellow neighbour were to be mourning the death of a loved one,” said Boitumelo Bogopa, founder of the club.

“The focus shifted from supporting each other only when one is bereaved to being there for each other through the good and the bad.

“It wasn’t and still isn’t a burial society or anything like that, but we wanted to create that unity among us as neighbours.”

Bogopa said the club had grown over the 20 years with more women loving the idea.

“Initially, it was for women in our street but more people, who didn’t live in our street, were interested in joining and we expanded,” explained Bogopa.

“Life has ups and downs, but the women have thrived through it all over the years and we know that the support we give each other has contributed greatly towards that.”

Although Bogopa is no longer a Kempton Park resident, she was honoured at the anniversary as the founder of the club who has helped uplift women in the community.

“I am honoured that they dedicated the club’s 20th anniversary to me. I couldn’t have done it alone because I worked with very powerful and amazing women,” said an emotional Bogopa.

“It melts my heart to see that the club didn’t collapse when I relocated to Limpopo. Instead, they took the baton and continued flying the flag of love high. These are prayer warriors who are big on unity, helping and motivating each other in times of need.”

The club was built on the basis of Ubuntu and although they have a WhatsApp group, the women meet every third week of February, May, August and October.

The club’s activities are coordinated by the executive committee which includes Jane Mabale, Debra Matsobanane, Funeka Siyongwane, Sebolelo Tlhako, Lindiwe Mashile and Ellen Thulari.

Bogopa was showered with love and gifts from members of the club to thank and honour her for giving birth to the club and helping to ensure it has a good foundation. Her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter were also present at the event.

Executive member Tlhako told Express she was grateful for everyone who contributed towards the event.

“Thank you to our sponsors, we appreciate your support. Another big thank you to Thulari, Nkele Chakale, Nkambule and Nikiwe Mosweu for all your efforts in making the day special,” said Tlhako.

“Keep the light burning, we know life has challenges but be strong and continue to support each other in times of need and happiness,” said Bogopa.