Municipality celebrates powerful women

The Women’s Day celebration to honour elderly women was hosted by MMC for Finance and ward 13 councillor, Lo’real Abrahams, in Promosa on Tuesday, 9 August.

Guest speakers included the Executive mayor of JB Marks local municipality Gaba Ka Qhele, MEC of Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi and MEC of finance Motlalepula Rosho who inspired women and left them with encouraging words of wisdom but also spoke on the pressing issue of GBV (Gender-based violence) both in Promosa and Ikageng.

According to the Executive mayor, Qhele, more than 41 rape cases were reported in Ikageng last month alone. “Just last week Friday, four cases of GBV were reported, one of the cases included a four-year-old,” Qhele said.
Qhele told the women to celebrate their strength and to enjoy their day but to not give up on combatting the social issues faced and should continue striving towards a better future for the community of Potchefstroom.
Adding to what the mayor said, MEC, Oageng Molapisi, emphasised that it is the duty of men to take a stand against gender-based violence and protect women.

National Women’s Day celebrates the strength and resilience of women and their contribution to society.
This year’s women’s day marked 66 years since approximately 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to petition against the country’s passing laws that maintained population segregation. Over six decades later and the day is still as significant.

“The event was exceptional and I am so grateful to everyone who set their time aside to attend,” Lo’real Abrahams said. According to the MMC, 300 guests were invited and exactly 300 people attended. “The event was initially a ward 13 event but it was extremely beautiful to see churches from ward 10 and 21 also attending the event,” she said.
“Words can not describe my gratitude and the amount of love that was in the room,” she added.

One of the speakers, Genryh Pieterse, who is currently based in the UK, said if it wasn’t for the help and strength of women in Promosa, she wouldn’t be where she is today. Milly Ruiters, Director of occupational health and hygiene, who grew up in Promosa said she endured a lot of hardships and emphasised that it is important for women within the community to assist those in need because it paves a better future for them tomorrow.