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Western Cape student leaders host the Women’s Indaba

The recently held Women’s Indaba 2024, which was curated by the dedicated women of the Western Cape Regional Student Representative Council – Nomfundo Khumalo (Chairperson), Karabo Mathosa (Secretary) and Sisanda Ntongana (Treasurer) – was a remarkable initiative aimed at utilising Unisa as a platform of engagement.

 This event sought to expose young female students to the wisdom and experiences of insightful speakers. The roundtable discussion was designed to address the uncomfortable realities women face in leadership roles. Whether one is a leader, a mother, a sister, or a student, being a woman means embodying the ability to multitask across various roles, which is the hallmark of a phenomenal leader.

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Growing tomorrow’s leaders

Topics on the programme delved into the stereotypes that society imposes on resilient, strong and powerful women. The goal was to create a platform where the theme “Empowering leadership: Building a society that promotes women’s leadership” could flourish. The aim was to engage in critical discourse about the disqualification of women when they fail and the societal barriers that hinder their progress.

The event featured a line-up of distinguished speakers who brough a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Among them were:

  • Lizette le Roux, a single mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend and a person living with a disability. She is passioned about students and contributing to end gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. She is also currently Acting Deputy Director in Student Development. She is the Unisa project leader for the Higher Peer Education Programme. She holds a Master’s in Social Work focusing on GBV in higher education.

  • Kgopotjo Lebepe, a multi-disciplined and skilled young professional who carries a deep love for academic support. She is an advocate for youth development, women empowerment and social justice. As an academic, she has accomplished inspirational achievements as she is a LLB graduate and LLM candidate in Property Law from the University of South Africa. Lebepe is currently Marketing Officer at the Unisa Law Clinic.

  • Evelyn Mmathapelo Masilela, the youngest of four children. She was a top achiever in basic, middle and high school, and an academic who holds a BCom in Industrial and Organisational Psychology and pursuing as honours degree in IOP. She currently works as an institutional researcher at Unisa.

  • Lee-Ann Kayzer, born and raised in the heart of Bishop Lavis in Cape Town. She is a mother, and a second-year BA Criminology student at Unisa. Her passion is to become a forensic pathologist.

  • Nokuthula Mathonsi, former Mpumalanga Regional Secretary, and currently the National Treasurer General of the National SRC. She is a final year Law student and Head of the Student Debt Campaign.

  • Nomonde Gxilishe, an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. She is currently practicing at the Unisa Law Clinic in Cape Town as the principal attorney. Her values are openness to learning and sharing knowledge.

  • Dr Shahieda Jansen, a clinical psychologist, previously managed the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) accredited student counselling centre of the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Her clinical interests include indigenous models of human nature (the Umoya self) and male-focused development for boys and men. She has been facilitating men’s groups, father-son interventions and individual therapy with boys and men for a decade and a half. She is currently implementing a Unisa Western Cape Region Community Engagement project: School Belonging for Boys at two pilot schools in the Western Cape. She currently holds the position of Deputy Director at Academic Support at Unisa.

  • Amanda Stemela, Advocate and Head of Legal Advice Unit at Women’s Legal Centre. She coordinated the UWC Satellite Clinic in Khayelitsha. After working at the Office of the Public Protector in 2012 and as a family advocate in 2013, she joined the Women’s Legal Unit. Amanda is dedicated to change and justice, guided by ubuntu to drive positive societal change.

  • Dr Zamangwane Khanyile, an educational psychologist. She is currently working at Unisa Counselling and Career Development.

Panellists inspire guests with their stories

The impact of the Women’s Indaba was profound. It provided a safe and empowering space for young women to voice their concerns, share their experiences, and learn from each other.

The event inspired many attendees to pursue leadership roles with renewed confidence and determination. The discussion sparked a sense of solidarity and community among the participants, reinforcing the importance of supporting one another in the face of societal challenges.

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The event attracted a full house

Moreover, the event highlighted the need for continuous efforts to dismantle the barriers that women face in leadership. It encouraged both men and women to actively participate in creating a more inclusive and equitable society. The insights gained from the speakers and the collaborative spirit of the attendees set the stage for ongoing initiatives and conversations aimed at promoting women’s leadership within and beyond the University.

The event’s focus was to foster a society that not only supports but actively promotes women in leadership positions, embracing feminism within a global context we strive to build a more inclusive and equitable society.

The message from the RSRC to encourage all women was: Trust your actions; every step you take towards equality and justice matters. Trust in your actions, no matter how small they may seem. Each effort contributes to a larger movement, a wave of change that can reshape our society. Stand firm in your convictions and know that your dedication and hard work are paving the way for a brighter future!

Quote of the day: “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” – Rumi

* By Nomfundo Khumalo, Chairperson SRC Western Cape Region, article edited by Lee-Anne Davids, Communication Officer,  Unisa Western Cape Region

Publish date: 2024/10/16

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