More than 500 women gathered in Strand for a celebration of sisterhood, courage and community on Sunday 9 August, with the Boland Islamic Council Women’s League (BICWL) hosting its Vintage Women’s Day High Tea for Cancer.

The event transformed the hall of Dr GJ Joubert Primary School into an elegant vintage wonderland, bringing 520 guests across 51 uniquely decorated tables together. Beyond the tea sets, lace and vintage fashion, the afternoon carried a deeply meaningful mission: to stand in solidarity against cancer and raising vital support for local beneficiaries and survivors.

One of the most emotional highlights of the afternoon was the Survivor Walk, a tribute to women who had overcome cancer, those currently undergoing treatment and the memory of loved ones lost to the disease. “When women stand together they can create change,” said Sumaya Gabier, chairperson and coordinator of the BICWL. “When communities unite lives can be touched and when we choose hope over fear we become a light for others.”

The event served as a reminder that behind every diagnosis is a human story of perseverance, requiring both emotional and practical community backing.

Proceeds and resources raised from the event will be distributed among five NPOs providing critical services across the region: hospice, Check/Know/Prevent, ROTO, Real Sisters and Stellenbosch Cancer Survivors.

Organisers emphasised that the scale of the gathering was made possible through strong grassroots support and business sponsorships across the Helderberg and Boland. Key sponsors included MACSAND, Helderberg Build & Save (Strand), Astron Energy, Superphotos (Somerset Mall) and Garlic Man, along with individual patrons Yasmin and Ghaleel Arnold, Kareema Baard and several anonymous donors.

The success of this year’s event reaffirmed the BICWL’s commitment to ongoing health advocacy, survivor support and community outreach, proving solidarity and hope remain powerful tools in the fight against cancer.