Lawrence Mashabela
Johannesburg - Although women have made great strides in our society, they still face many challenges that need to be addressed head-on. Some of these challenges that hinder progress include among others poverty, inequality, unemployment, teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence.
As we mark Women’s Month in South Africa, we should all celebrate women who led purposeful action to redress inequality in the hope of a better future for their communities, children and themselves. We pay tribute to more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in a protest against the extension of the Pass laws to women.
Let us observe and acknowledge the work done by all women who have made invaluable contributions to our communities and society at large. It is a time when we should all reflect on past struggles and accomplishments and deepen our efforts to eradicate the remaining inequalities in our society.
Furthermore, we must recognise acts of courage and determination by women who have made significant contributions to the change that we see and enjoy today. We must celebrate women who rise against all odds to change the lives of the needy. This year’s women’s month is celebrated under the theme “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience”. This theme reflects the courage and resilience of women in society.
Women’s Month continues to be a powerful platform that unifies tenacity and drives action for gender parity while celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women. During this year’s Women’s Month let us all acknowledge and applaud women across all spheres of society and in every corner of South Africa for their continued diligent work of uplifting other women, especially young girls. They must continue to be the champions of hope in our communities.
Let us take a moment to honour women like Elizabeth Marabe who, against all odds, remain deeply committed to supporting both young girls and boys in the townships of Vaal, through establishing a well-run and flourishing Centre of Excellence called Bokamoso Skills and Development Centre.
The Centre, which was established two decades ago, is currently making a huge contribution in providing young people with work-based technical skills and development. Recently, the Centre launched a livelihood Hub that will see more young people starting their own businesses and participating in cooperatives that are envisaged to create jobs for young people.
The Centre’s overall goal is to groom and foster a generation of commercial and social entrepreneurs who would become agents of change in their families, resulting from skills training programmes. This will also contribute towards the eradication of poverty among the youth and women in townships.
Marabe said their aim is to fight and alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship development programmes that focus on incubating and mentoring emerging entrepreneurs.
The 64-year old Marabe, affectionately known as Mme Lizzy, started Bokamoso in 2000, partnering with a Roman Catholic priest who was interested in educating young people technology and computer skills as they were still using typewriters at the time.
“When we started it was just me, the priest, and a few members of the church back then, as the majority of the congregation was uninterested,” said Marabe. She reiterated that it takes perseverance, determination and hard work to build an organisation like Bokamoso, which is solely intended to change the lives of the people.
“We had struggled for six (6) years until in 2006, the MEC of Social Development at the time, who was in a quest to find projects and non-profit organisations that are pioneered and or led by women, they found that in our area Evaton in Sebokeng, there was a Roman Catholic church project that I was involved in called Children’s Room. So, in 2006, we received the first funding from the Gauteng Department of Social Development,” explained Marabe.
“I was basically encouraged by the significant challenges that disproportionately impacted women and young girls in our communities,” she added.
In 2010, Marabe was at the forefront of partnering with the Gauteng Department of Social Development to start a food bank in Sedibeng to distribute food parcels to the needy in the region.
“At the time I didn’t even know where to start but my philosophy was never about attaining any wealth or social status, it was largely centred around the community benefiting from our programmes, especially young people, and I am glad that we managed to deliver that and today this food bank is helping many poor communities. With the department’s consistent involvement, the centre has turned out to be this incredible success.
“Today, I am happy to sit back, watch it grow and make a difference in our community, especially helping young women who are at the receiving end of many social ills that continue to affect our communities,” said Marabe.
She stated that she is confident that when she retires, the work will continue to serve the community and empower the youth. Marabe unequivocally thanked the Department’s unwavering support and decision and they remain deeply committed to supporting women and girls’ economic security, preventing and responding to all forms of gender-based violence.
“We honour and celebrate you, Mbokodo.”
Lawrence Mashabela is from Gauteng Social Development