GinU empowers, informs and restores women
Extension 12's community hall was packed for the Ginu initiative that restored courage in women.
The women who took part in the recent walkathon in Kagiso literally threw away abuse, shame and limitation in the GinU organisation’s celebration.
The women who said enough is enough, took back their power from their abusers by throwing away the stones they had carried with them during the walk. After completing the walk, they dumped these stones, which represented the issue that negatively impacted their lives, such as gender-based violence, shame, victimisation, stigma, fear and low self-esteem.
The event was organised by GinU (Girl I need you), a non-profit organisation which aims to uplift and inspire women to live their lives positively, despite their past or present circumstances. Vision bearer, Ntibi Papa and her team worked tirelessly to make the initiative, held at Extension 12’s Community Hall, a success. After the walkathon, all the participants received medals.
The second part of the event saw remarkable women from different backgrounds taking to the stage to share how the hardships they experienced influenced them to become the powerful women they are today.
The first speaker on the podium was an academic and author, Mmasechaba Shai, who is currently completing her Master’s degree in Business Administration Management. She is the wife of renowned actor, Patrick Shai. Mmasechaba shared how she overcame the way in which her husband abused her, and urged women not to define themselves by who their husbands are.
“I decided to re-define myself, because on the outside I always looked good, but there were scars under my make-up, which had become the mask I was hiding behind.
I was ashamed because of who I am married to,” said Mmasechaba.
It became public knowledge that her husband often assaulted her, but she says because he is famous, the police never took her complaints seriously – they arrived at their home and became starstruck, telling him how well he portrayed the characters he played in the television series they knew him from.
“Marriage doesn’t have all the answers to one’s fantasies. Our elders offer advice on our wedding day, but should not only advise women, men should also be advised before entering into this lifelong commitment,” she said.
She believes her marriage was saved and restored by God. Abused women have a choice – they can either stay in the relationship and continue being abused, and ultimately become like their abusers, hard-hearted and mistrusting, or they stay and turn to God, who will guide them to the point where they can forgive their abusers. Mmasechaba chose to stay, and turned to God, and as a result, her marriage was saved. She has now written a book for people who are going through what she went through, so that they can learn, heal and be restored.
Onica Mogomotse also shared her story in an effort to inspire young women to strive to be independent and make a name for themselves. When Onica turned 21, it was more than just her coming of age, it was also her wedding and her graduation party.
“I married young and couldn’t enjoy my youth. I was a trophy wife and I was miserable, despite all the cars and the mansion, so I left it all and walked away,” said Onica.
Onica’s drive and social work qualification led her to start volunteering, and assisting community members. One day, she was spotted reciting a poem at an event by officials who offered her a post in the Department of Safety and Security. Today, 15 of the 400 former nyaope addicts that Onica worked with are social workers, because of her motivation.
“During the time I worked with nyaope addicts, I didn’t even know that my own son was a drug addict,” said Onica.
She encouraged young women not to get married in pursuit of a life of luxury.
“Don’t get married and end up unable to express yourself, rather study and pursue independence,” concluded Onica.
After the motivational talks, refreshments were served and young, aspirant artists performed to entertain the audience.
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