Departmental Women’s day Celebration

August is South Africa’s Women’s Month which provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the generations of women whose struggles laid the foundations for the progress made in empowering women and achieving gender equality to date.

The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management women gathered in Mahikeng to celebrate the special ceremony.

Employee Health and Wellness Counselor Refilwe Mabe reflected on HIV/AIDS, ” For as long as some people don’t know their status we will never stop talking about this pandemic and most importantly once you realise that you are not feeling well, health-wise consult with your doctor ” she said.

Ms Mabe further capacitated officials about the causes and prevention of HIV, and advised women to continue using condoms irrespective of whether you are in a long or short term relationship.

Chief Director for Civilian Secretariat Ms Mpho Maleme welcomed and addressed women with words of encouragement, “As department we celebrate ourselves , phenomenal women indeed. We are beneficiaries of the legacy left by our great grandmothers especially us in the North West. I’m proud to be from this province as it contributed a lot to our liberation. I wish we can be the united women who lift each other up, fix each other’s crowns and stop the pull her down syndrome. I urge all the women to take advantage of opportunities presented to us, we are powerful and gender favours us” said Maleme.

Chief Director for Corporate Services,Dr Ntlhopeng Dikobe in his keynote address reiterated that women from the past are still remembered for their pivotal role they portrait during the struggle , even women of this generation will be remembered in fighting for Gender Based Violence and femicide issues.

Dr Dikobe furthermore elaborated that National Women’s month in South Africa draws attention to many of the important issues that women still faces on a daily basis such as domestic violence, discrimination and harassment in the workplace and in the society at large that need to be dealt with accordingly.

Wellness manager Ms Mary Mamogale presented about healthy Lifestyle. She encouraged women to focus on three points. Firstly on Nutrition, whereby they must learn and watch their diet. Secondly they must exercise regularly,being at home or at a gym facility and thirdly, to sleep at least eight hours, and these will assist them to stay healthy and productive.

“Healing the feminine energy is my theme for the day.” said Sir Max from SIR Max Foundation as he ascended to the podium. “Until a woman heals the world will never heal, if we want to heal the world, the womb must be healed first. If women don’t heal then children will never heal. Ladies, work and harvest later! He encouraged women to work harder on themselves than to rely on other people to make them feel wanted.

Chief Provincial Inspector Giya and Ms Levuno were given a chance to reflect about their experiences on a daily basis at work.”We must mind our tongues when we speak to one another other, respect is one of the fundamental values of life, let’s ensure that we focus on the core functions of the department ” said Giya.

Ms Levuno “As women cleaners we are the face of the office because we are the first ones to enter in the offices to clean and make sure that officials work in a clean and conducive environment. We humbly rewuest women in the department to support us at all times and not look down on us” She said.

The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management saw it purposeful to recognise departmental women’s contributions and acknowledge their efforts towards the achievement of the departmental goals and objectives .

The empowerment of women continues to foster inclusivity and support, it also provide a platform to inspire future generation and to promote gender equality.