Tel: 013 697 1876/61 info@vitrovian.co.za

Woman’s Initiatives

Woman’s Month

Woman empowerment through High Tea

On the 7th of October 2017 Pastor Joy Tshego from Word Embassy Ministries hosted a High Tea in Nkangala District Municipality mayor‟s parlour. The prestige event was graced by Dr. Lerato Hlathwayo, Dr. Thuli Shabangu, Dr. Tshepiso, Mrs Shirley Chauke and Vitrovian Executive Chairwoman from Vitrovian, Ms Lindiwe Mtsweni. Malindi has shared the importance of connecting your fellow staff member with opportunities that will empower, educated and inform. She was seen with staff member from Vitrovian gracing this event along with her. Ms Lindiwe Mtsweni set the event on fire, she was the first speaker to address and motivate the guest that come from different towns within Nkangala Municipality. During her motivation she encouraged the attendees to have order for ORDER stands for:

O – Obedience, R – Respect, D – Discipline, E – Empowerment and R – Responsibility. Malindi has an enormous understanding of what is required to lead successfully six companies within Mpumalanaga and in Nkangala District. These companies have been existing for over 5 years that have changed hundred of lives. She also elaborated that in order for you to be a leader, you need to have passion, be determined, have confidence and be a prayer warrior. “You need to live a life that matters. You’re ready to undertake the journey, but every new adventure needs a trustworthy guide. Everybody needs a friend to go with them and a mentor them, to show the way. “Let’s undertake the journey together” In closing Pastor Joy Tshego was excited to announce that the high tea was not just for tea and scones but it was beneficial for the attendees as they were empowered in all aspect of life.

Nkangala Women Empowerment Symposium

South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the thousands of women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. It is a tribute not only to the thousands of women who marched on that day in 1956, but also a tribute to the pioneers of the women’s movement in this country, dating back to 1913. Vitrovian and Phusha Foundation believe the best way to honor the contribution of women of today is by creating a platform for engagement and mentorship between young and old women, hence the newly launched Nkangala Women Empowerment Symposium which is designed to create such an environment. The main objectives of the Symposium which will be held annually are;

  • To celebrate influential and progressive women in the Nkangala Region
  • To educate and motivate young women on health and wealth issues
  • To share and educate women on finances and good investments

The inaugural Nkangala Women Empowerment Symposium was held in eMalahleni, on the 30 August 2014. The theme of the Symposium was A Healthy Woman is a Wealthy Woman. The key topics discussed on the day were;

  • From runway to the boardroom
  • Spiritual woman
  • Yoyo diets vs healthy eating
  • Genealogical insight of a woman
  • Knowing when and how to invest
  • What men want

The event brought together over 160 women coming from different fields, business women, professionals, students, media and Nongovernmental organisations. The participants debated and exchanged views on topics dominating women’s health, business and finance agenda. The programme included a plenary session and a physical activity by one of the country’s known choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo.

Pledges towards Sisterhood Development Network One other objective of the Symposium was to raise funds for the Sisterhood Development Network. This is a network of young girls who have no one to guide them because they are either orphans or from abusive families.

  • Guests pledged themselves to this good cause on these different areas;
  • Some pledged sanitary towels
  • Others pledged with their time to guide and mentor
  • Money was also pledged
  • One attorney pledged free legal advice should any of the girls need it.

Vitrovian would like to thank the companies who made the Symposium a success, M2TD, Maphanga Investments, 2 Industries and Black brain for their contributions and support.

2014 Young Women in Business Seminar

More than 150 young women entrepreneurs from the Nkangala district attended the Young Women in Business Seminar, held at TUT Witbank Campus on 8 March 2014. The one-day Seminar was hosted by Vitrovian in collaboration with Eskom Kusile and Sakhaisha Trading Enterprise with the objective to inform, inspire and guide young women entrepreneur so that they are better equipped to manage their businesses professionally, contribute towards employment and to inspire innovation within their businesses, by:

  • Encouraging mentorship
  • Encouraging the free exchange of information and collaboration amongst young women in business,

The seminar was opened by Emalahleni Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Salome Sithole who informed the young women about the challenges of old infrastructure the municipality is faced with. She challenged the young women to be innovative and come up with workable plans to address this challenge. Other presentations were done by individual successful business women on the following different topics:

  • Resilience in business – my journey this far – Michelle Mashiane emphasised the importance of standing up again after a fall and believing in your vision.
  • Importance of giving as a Business Woman -Mazothe Msipha demonstrated different forms of giving that one can use, like giving with your time or resources
  • Importance of Co-ops in the current economy -Dr. Thembeka Mlauli demonstrated the work done by Eskom Kusile in empowering women co-ops.

One group of women who were transformed from making beads to making SABS approved overalls for different contractors at Eskom Kusile.
Creating and spending your money – debt versus equity: balancing the two and planning ahead – Ms Ann Sibande
“Real Benefit for Our Communities” cautioned the guests about people who want to invest in their businesses. She also demonstrated that sometimes it’s wiser to do your own investment rather than to give a bank your money to invest it for you.

Brief Overview on Eskom Kusile Project- Ms Yvette Shibambo mentioned that Eskom Kusile has to date issued business opportunities to 404 local companies to the value of R4.5 billion. She further mentioned that if your company has not received any form of business at Kusile, you need to go back to the drawing board because Eskom Kusile through its General Manager Mr Abram Masango is fully behind localisation.

In delivering her vote of thanks remarks, Vitrovian Managing Director, Ms Lindiwe Mtsweni informed the seminar guests that Vitrovian has identified young women as a key target group because women remain the most vulnerable sector of our society. Experience has shown that Nkangala District has a strong breed of young women, who have the ability and determination to establish a new reality for themselves through economic empowerment. She went further and expressed her gratitude to the speakers one by one including the brilliant Program Director, Ms Buyiswa Spayile for running the program professionally. The following Companies were thanked for their financial contribution:

  • DMR Investments
  • Mdito Cleaning Services

As part of the seminar, an exhibition showcasing successful SMMEs owned by young women was also held. This provided delegates an opportunity to ask questions and get inspiration on a first-hand basis. More than 100 gift packages made up of toiletries and clothes were collected from the guests on that day. These will be donated to young needy girls who will be identified from registered welfare organisations within Emalahleni. A criterion was developed where five organisations will be shortlisted and there after one organisation that meet the criterion most will be donated with these beautiful gifts.