07 Dec 2020

Women have been encouraged to build one another instead of forming divisions to tear each other apart.

The words of encouragement were shared by Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe when launching a book titled: Woman arise, in Tsamaya on December 5 .

 The minister said women should stand together and be each other’s pillar. He appreciated the author, Nanzy Chaitezvi for her contribution to building Tsamaya women, especially the elderly.

Dr Letsholathebe observed that in highlighting the role played by women in every aspect of life, the book also brought out their ultimate role as nation builders.

The minister indicated that the book was launched at the right time when society was challenged to end violence against women and children through the campaign: The 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence.

He said it was upon every individual to introspect on what they could do to fight GBV.

The book, which had been written to honour the author’s mother, was described by Dr Letsholathebe as a testament that women had been family pillars for time immemorial when fathers went to work in South African mines.

He said the government was making strides in levelling the ground for women as evidenced by the recent amendment to allow married women to acquire plots even when their spouses already owned plots.

He said the book had the potential to raise hope in every person in despair and those who lacked self-confidence because of their past.

He further indicated that: Woman arise, was not only written for women, but everyone to appreciate the struggles women went through and how they overcame those barriers.

Chaitezvi said she was inspired by her mother who raised her to become a strong woman despite a gloomy past.

She highlighted that the book was meant to uplift other women and boost their confidence to rise above their challenges.

Chaitezvi is also a women empowerment advocate who champions a woman movement business association that weaves bags in Tsamaya.

She offers training classes for the elderly women who have turned to weaving to put food on the table.The youthful author said since women faced many prejudices in the world, the book would equip them to be strong. 

“Women are strong beyond their situations because they rise and become great,” she said.

Chaitezvi said the book was an open letter to her mother who built her up when she went through a difficult childhood that almost destroyed her confidence.

“I was motivated by my past which was not so rosy. I went through a traumatic childhood that almost stole my confidence, but I found my voice and I am using that voice to heal others,” she said. Ends