Kempton Park woman awarded for fighting injustices
Sis’ Mantoa was awarded in the governing woman category of Mail and Guardian’s Powerful Woman 2022.
The selfless work of Kempton Park resident, Sis’ Mantoa Selepe, has been recognised.
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Sis’ Mantoa was awarded in the governing woman category of Mail and Guardian’s Powerful Woman 2022.
She is the founder of AbafaziPhambili, a community-based organisation driven by activism in addressing socio-economic change and gender-based violence injustices.
The organisation was born in 2014 and formally registered as an NPC in October 2020.
Sis’ Mantoa is a woman who has vowed to combat the injustices suffered by women in this country.
“Our vision is based on advocating gender equality to the most abandoned, neglected and underprivileged women who are only remembered during the country’s electoral elections, and aimed at driving socio-economic change,” said Sis’ Mantoa.
“Therefore, we focus on social justice by basing our mission on economic empowerment, social orientation and political education.
“In order to address gender inequalities, we are guided by our espoused values of equality, diversity, justice, respect, peace and love.”
The AbafaziPhambili founder says she was surprised and didn’t expect to be nominated.
“One of our board members, Sis’ Pelisa Makalima, shared the nomination idea with the board and other members in their social groups around July.
“She was persistent and encouraged the members to nominate me. She believed that I am fit for the accolade because of the commitment I have in advocating gender equality,” said Sis’ Mantoa.
“I was informed about the nomination and wasn’t sure how to feel about it because all the work I do is not for my own personal gain but it is about assisting the women who find themselves in compromising situations.
“I then decided to look at it from a different perspective and could feel relieved that the organisation was getting recognised. This could translate in more people being made aware of the work we do to assist women.
“Hopefully we can get more stakeholders to partner with us and assist women to finally leave toxic and abusive environments. Some are stuck due to lack of financial stability and freedom.”
For her it was an even bigger surprise when she was announced the winner.
“We appreciate the recognition yet AbafaziPhambili strives to work for the community, not for status.
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“I would love to continue to cultivate the spirit of humanity among our communities and educate society that we can all become active citizens within our communities in order to curb social ills.
“The African saying that a child is raised by the Village should be practised again to breed a normal society.
“We need to work tirelessly in educating society about gender equality in order to lessen abuse.
“Everything shall come into equilibrium with no one being left out by the system.
“Women should be afforded a fair share to prosper in leadership positions without undermining their valuable contribution and genderising their position/s. Women should start leading themselves.”
Sis’ Mantoa’s advice to other women and leaders: “Women must stand up and move forward to achieve societal equilibrium. Lead where you are capable without wanting to be like another person.
“There is nothing wrong with being inspired by another person, instead inspiration should enhance our inner ability to achieve our goals.”
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