Samancor ECM celebrates its female employees

Samancor Eastern Chrome Mines (ECM) discussed various topics, including the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV). There was entertainment galore, with poems recited by the miners and the SAPS Jazz Band providing music.

The attendees included the Limpopo SAPS’s management led by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, ECM management, employees and women structures, representatives from the Black Management Forum (BMF), the Tokoloso Organisation, members from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and many more motivational speakers.

In starting the event, Warrant Officer Barileng Thobejane of the Limpopo SAPS urged the ladies to address the scourge of GBV.

“God loves us so much that he exposed abuse in the First Testament. Issues of GBV don’t come from far, they come from within our families.

“We are not even safe around our siblings, fathers and close families.”

Thobejane, who is a chaplain, pleaded with men to treat females with dignity. “It’s high time we break the silence. Let’s speak out and expose the abusers.” ECM’s SHEQ manager, Elsie Mashishi, said the event was also to celebrate the success of women.

“It is a great responsibility to empower women. It is also necessary for gender equality. Women have to be given equal respect and not taken for granted. In the past, women were restricted in their homes and were not permitted to step out to get to work. Today, we have freedom, and these women within this vicinity all have work.

“Women today have realised their strengths and abilities and are contributing to the success of their homes, the economy and the entire society. We are entering every field and making successes. The participation of women is the most effective way to uplift communities, companies and our country.”

She said ECM introduced programmes for its employees and their families for psychological support, and urged them to utilise such programmes. Mpho Motsei, chairperson of BMF Limpopo, shared a story of him growing up in an abusive family. He urged women to work together and fight abuse.

“Refrain from sexual favours at work, work together and stop jealousy when you see one woman succeeding.”

Sbongile Martin talked about empowerment. “Let’s empower one another and support one another’s businesses. We have to teach our boys and girls how to behave at a young age and how to treat their sisters. Let’s encourage one another to take action.”

Giving messages of support, Thandi Thwala encouraged the ladies about workers’ rights. She also urged them to report any harassment at their jobs. Deborah Makola emphasised that women needed to uplift themselves by studying in order to climb the ladder and acquire managerial positions.

Hadebe advised women to choose right partners. “Choose a partner who will support you through thick and thin.

“Unmarried women with kids must not despair, but raise their kids with love and good care.”

She urged women to work together in combating GBV. “Let’s start forums and support groups where women can talk about abuse. We need to refrain from protecting the perpetrators. As women, we need to speak with one voice and say, ‘Together we are going to stand and fight GBV.’”

The event was concluded with the management of ECM handing over recognition awards to female employees.

Tokoloso Organisation’s Christina Mashamaite thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the event. She thanked ECM and in particular the general manager, Bertus Brink, and human resource manager, Pieter Brits, for staging a fruitful and informative event for its employees and members of the community.