Women’s Month culminated recently with the Cape Winelands District Municipaliteis In Celebration of Phenomenal Women Awards.
“My nooi is in ’n nartjie,
my Ouma in kaneel,
daar’s iemand…iemand in anys.
Daar’s n vrou in elke geur!”
These cheerful words, from the poem “Liefdesgedig” by South African poet DJ Opperman, launched CWDM’s final event for Women’s Month. The poetry reading formed part of the opening address by Mr Michael Jonas, Director of the ATM who has partenered with CWDM in hosting these awards.
“Through this event and the nomination process, the CWDM and our partners sought an opportunity to celebrate the unsung heroes, the women who give their time, love and care in order for others to thrive, often while neglecting their own needs,” Executive Mayor of the CWDM Dr Elna von Schlicht told the gathering.
“I am proud to be among the phenomenal women in this room, district and country.”
Members of the public were invited to submit nominations for a woman that they consider phenomenal. The rules of entry were kept simple to help ensure inclusivity and submission was made easy through a mobile friendly online form. Close to 100 entries were received from all corners of the district. Judges had their hands full in categorising, checking that the criteria were correct and then contacting winners and runners-up. Phenomenal woman are often also the busiest women!
And two phenomenal women from the Drakenstein valley both received accolades at the awards.
In the Phenomenal Women in the NGO/CDW Sector Lavona Solomons was runner-up.
Lavona had polio as a 2-year-old and was institutionalised for 14 years.
Despite this she has gone on to live a full life that includes a weekly radio show aimed at uplifting people with disabilities.
The radio audience has developed into a support group, and Lavona shines as a community activist in the fight for those affected and infected by HIV.
And in the Phenomenal Women in Secondary Education Nonalanga Tisan of Mbekweni was also the runner-up.
She was nominated by the chair of the governing body of Lagabuyo Primary, for the incredible contribution she made to improving sports activities for her learners.
Tisan also played an integral part in establishing the Mbekweni Eco Club, an environmental education and awareness platform that helps society, women and youth understand the dynamics behind Climate Change, such as the Day Zero drought in the Western Cape a few years ago (Water Conservation), biodiversity and renewable energy.
In her nomination, it stated that she has been quite pivotal in the work being done at Mbekweni, schools particularly Langabuya Primary.
