SPONSORED | Radiating Hope: The Red Carpet Event That’s on Everyone’s Lips

The second annual GBVF Red Carpet Fundraising Event was one not to be forgotten. The who's who in Mpumalanga were in attendance and the keynote speakers kept the audience in awe while they shared their experiences.

September 19, 2000

Content Supplied 5 minutes read

Imagine stepping into an evening where glamour meets purpose; a red carpet not just for stars, but for solutions. On Saturday, August 3, 2024, Mpumalanga became the epicentre of change.

Blessing M Holdings, Shanei Born Book and Business Coach, and the MatrixMen Health and Wellness Recovery Centre didn’t just raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). They presented sustainable solutions that spanned all genders, relationships and communities.

The event everyone’s talking about:

What happens when an event mixes luxury with deep, transformative purpose?

The 2nd Annual GBVF Red Carpet Fundraising Event was not just glamorous, it was electrifying as the Sunriders MCC biker community opened the red carpet with their motorbikes roaring. Followed by celebrity arrivals on the red carpet by Toyota and Lexus. The excitement was met with the smooth tunes of Justice King’s saxophone, the evening kicked off with an energy that left everyone buzzing.

The who’s who was there:

Notable figures like the MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, actress Sophie Ndaba, royalty from the Mlambo Traditional Council, Mduduzi Hekzin Vilakazi, CEO of Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, and the CEO of MER, Mr Vusi Mtsweni. The famous Ihhashi Elimhlophe and Dr Linah Ebony Ngcobo, Moltah Mavuso of the Commission for Gender Equity, Eric Mokonyama, the provincial manager of the South African Human Rights Commission, Cynthia Dinalane, Multi Global GBVF awards winner and activist, Palesa Brown, author of To my rapists, I thank you, Kgau Ntini, the SAGI Forum founder, Miss Mpumalanga 2024 Bajabulise Thela, and even Mrs South Africa Finalist Nobuhle Langa all attended.

Blessing M Holdings, MEC Cathy Dlamini and Shanei Born. Photos: Supplied

Blessing Mmola, Sophie Ndaba and Shanei Born.

The interesting thing was:

The successful business networking session that started a prosperous future

This event offered a unique platform for business owners to shine in front of a distinguished audience. The evening buzzed with conversations, new connections and promising leads. The government institutions, NGOs, entrepreneurs and leaders seized the moment, turning this night of glamour into a golden opportunity for growth and collaboration. It was also a chance to transform business dreams into reality.

The unforgettable competitions and impressive prizes

Beyond the glitz, there were high-stakes competitions that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. A R45 000 ring by Shiny Rock Polished, a private sector mentorship worth R25 000 by Blessing M Holdings, and a life-changing, R170 000 book and business coaching programme from Shanei Born were all up for grabs. (I must say, these prizes have already started changing lives since the winners were announced.)

A royal setting of note

As you walked up the stairs you could feel the welcoming spirits of Blessing and Shanei with music in the background. The tables were styled elegantly in royal blue and gold, setting the stage for the night to unfold. Gifts of splendour from Avroy Shlain added to the charm, but the real treasure was the chance to impact the fight against GBVF. This evening was not only used to create awareness, but sustainable solutions were presented.

Speakers who stirred hearts

The stories that were shared that night moved an entire room. MEC Cathy Dlamini, one of the keynote speakers, called for spirituality in education, while Sophie Ndaba offered wisdom on life’s crossroads. But it was Martin Pelders’ talk on supporting male GBVF survivors that left everyone thinking – why aren’t we talking about this more?
Shanei Born, a renowned international book and business coach, spoke about her powerful account of rebuilding her life after GBVF and also helping others build financial independence using her proven book and business coaching platforms.
Blessing Sunday shared her story and how the church should be involved in the solution to fight against GBVF with practical strategies. Miss T’s harrowing yet inspiring story of being a burn survivor left the room in silent reflection. Lastly, Mlungisi Zondi spoke about life after GBVF and living with HIV/Aids.
Each speaker brought a fresh perspective, leaving the audience eager for solutions, and here they are…

A sustainable solution that initiates change to create sound brothers, husbands, fathers, children, communities, leaders, cities and beyond, starting with top-level influential people filtering down to the individual victims and survivors.

That evening we witnessed history in the making.

The evening revealed ambitious projects, including the MatrixMen Health and Wellness Recovery Centre, designed to heal men and boys from GBVF trauma. If we help the men heal, they can become better husbands, fathers, and leaders in the community and beyond. Could this initiative change the landscape of recovery for male victims in South Africa?

View this video to learn more:

Impact projects beyond the night

From a borehole project that will bring clean water to Sedloko Primary School to an online auction featuring luxury jewellery by Shiny Rock Polished where all the proceeds will go towards building the MatrixMen Health and Wellness Recovery Centre.
On the evening, community projects performed throughout the year by Blessing M Holdings and Shanei Born were handed over, which included:

1. School shoes for KaMagugu Primary School by Milky Lane, Shanei Born and Zanet Electrical
2. Sanitary towels were gifted to GRIP, sponsored by Tshegofatsa Rona Welfare Foundation and Langelihle Youth Foundation
3. As well as for the Cyril Clarke High School
4. Blankets found a new home at the Dasha Foundation, which takes care of challenged adults
5. Groceries gifted to Millenium Home of Hope
6. Borehole project
7. MatrixMen Health and Wellness Recovery Centre
8. Private sector mentorship for an NGO by Blessing M Holdings
9. A life-changing book and business coaching programme from Shanei Born.

What happens next?

This GBVF event didn’t stop at awareness. It set in motion real, actionable change and we are calling on government, corporates, NGOs, people of high influence, community members and beyond to help fund these projects (for more information see details below).

Blessing M Holdings, Shanei Born, book and business coach, MatrixMen, and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency have pledged their support, and challenge all local businesses and government institutions to join in on life-changing community projects.

If you feel like you want to be part of the next wave of change, contact Coach Shanei Born.

If it were not for these people, this initiative would not have been possible:

We would like to thank all the businesses who provided support for the 2nd Annual GBVF Red Carpet Event Blessing M Holdings, Shanei Born, book and business coach, MatrixMen Health and Wellness Recovery Centre, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, FNB Nelspruit, Born Intelligence Marketing Agency, Shiny Rock Polished, Motus Motors, Sun Riders MCC, Milky Lane, She’s A Wonder and Sophie On Wellness (Sophie Ndaba), Avroy Shlain, Duma Lodge, The Green Lizard Guesthouse, Machai Lodge, Paradise Creek Lodge, African Sky Hotel Pine Lake Inn, La Grace Properties, Rifumo Boutique Spa, Jambo Online Media, Brandhill Media, MCRS 96.3 FM, Hope Alive Online Radio, BCR FM, GRIP, Tshegofatsa Rona Welefare Foundation, Langelihle Youth Foundation, Innovar Legacy Media, Kaptured Concepts, Yoon’s Eatery, CM Zungu Inc, Urgent Care Riverside, Mlambo Traditional Authority, Hops Hollow Brewery, Thabo Chiloane Promotion, Coca-Cola, Fly CDMA, MNDEBS Properties, Sello Morule Foundation and Sukuma Pharmacy.