News & Media
Celebration inspires women to prioritise their well-being
Grace Nhlapo (left) and Rhulani Baloyi
On 7 August 2025, Unisa hosted an online Women’s Day celebration. The event featured inspiring speakers who challenged women to prioritise their well-being while navigating the multiple demands of daily life.
Keynote speaker Grace Nhlapo, a well-being advocate, founder and managing director of Healthy365 and Libetsa Marketing, addressed the mental load of "doing it all". She reminded participants to breathe, sleep, socialise and exercise, maintaining balance across the mind, body and spirit.
Nhlapho shared her personal transformation in 2020, a year when many struggled under the weight of the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of using the crisis as an excuse, she reclaimed her health by eating well, exercising regularly and taking deliberate steps to nourish her body. She emphasised the urgency of tackling lifestyle-related health risks, citing studies predicting that by 2030, South Africa will face significantly higher obesity rates, a trend with serious implications for public health.
The programme also featured Rhulani Baloyi, a senior news editor at SABC News, who shared her journey as a blind woman breaking barriers in education and media. Reflecting on her time at a school for the blind, she described how moving to the University of the Witwatersrand, where she was one of only eight blind students, required courage, adaptation and perseverance. Her story inspired participants to face challenges head-on.
Adding to the day’s wisdom, Dikeledi Mashilwane urged women to prioritise self-care before giving to others, saying, "Before you pour into others, make sure your cup is full". She encouraged women to safeguard their energy and resources so they can give from a place of strength.
This year’s celebration was more than a commemoration; it was a call to action. Women were reminded that their strength lies in their ability to persevere through life’s challenges and their willingness to invest in themselves. Prioritising personal growth, nurturing mental health and protecting physical well-being are not acts of selfishness, but essential steps towards building a life of purpose and joy. As the speakers affirmed, a woman who is balanced in mind, body and spirit becomes an unstoppable force for change in her community and beyond.
The event closed with a shared message: Women must nurture their health, find balance, and stay resilient, not just for themselves, but for the people who depend on them.
* By Hlawulani Mbekwa, Communication and Marketing Intern, Gauteng Region
Publish date: 2025-09-05 00:00:00.0
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