Women are widely celebrated in South Africa during the month of August.
Celebrating the brave and strong women of the past, present and future is of importance to women of the West Coast.
Alrika Hefers from Lampiesbaai said it is important a special day is dedicated each year to celebrating women in South Africa, to remind the country and the world of the historical role South African women play in society. “I am concerned that in many cases it becomes a commercial and flashy day supported by special events that are short-lived,” she said. “We need to create a stage to acknowledge individuals who serve and are sometimes forgotten because of their ordinariness. Their stories are our learnings, and we should celebrate women of worth.”
Allison van der Walt, a resident of Langebaan, said it is important to honour women who are nurturing society in so many ways. “It takes a village to do many things, and in most cases these villages consist mostly of women,” she pointed out. “We need to acknowledge the strength, courage and bravery it takes for women to step into new spaces and make magic happen. Women are the epitome of courage, hope and life.”
When it comes to the challenges women face in society today Balini Engelbrech from Blue Water Bay said women today struggle with low self-esteem, and the challenge is always to keep up with society in which morals and integrity are in decline. She said intelligence kindness and the way one treats people and how one carries oneself are the only beauty never dulls or fades. “It never goes away. Everything else is external beauty, which is 100% temporary.”
Encouraging women, Nosipho Lisa from Vredenburg said women need to stand up and make their voices heard. “Let us make ourselves known. Let us start by supporting one another, recognising one another’s capabilities and not competing with one another, but completing one another and realising we are stronger together.
