The Intshukumo Women’s movement celebrated Women’s Month in a different way, as they hosted the fifth anniversary of this movement at the Savoy Hotel in Mthatha, last week.
Founder of the Intshukumo Women’s movement, Rita Nyathela said that they started it with the aim of uplifting the self-esteem of young wives, especially those living in rural areas.
“Our intention is to advise each other to stand up for themselves, and use ploughing as one of the tools in order to fight poverty. Nowadays women should stand up and not depend on their husbands for all the support; they must also do something to equip themselves,” said Nyathela.
She added that they also realised that some of these young women from rural areas are undermining themselves when they are with others who are from urban areas. Nyathela said they should know that no-one is better than other.
According to her, in this movement they also advised each other to speak when there is a problem so that the person can be able to get help.
One of the members of this movement, Nathi Hermanus, said that she had learned a lot, which changed her to be a better person, and it helped her to mould her marriage.
“When I joined this movement it was not easy; my marriage was falling apart and I was about to give up. Today I can stand up because these women gave me support. They bring back hope when you are hopeless. They welcome everybody, which is why it is easy to heal even if you have a broken heart,” said Hermanus.
She added that they manage to assist others, even financially, when there is a need to do so. According to her, they use prayer as their weapon and it is easy to voice out their problems in order to get support.
