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I walked with the most inspiring young woman yesterday who in the space of twenty minutes blew me away with her story. I know 'inspiring' is an overworked word, but the fact that she was smiling with an inner peace after all she has been through in her short twenty three years, I found amazing and humbling as well as inspiring. A story of resistance. She was one of just over 200 young women from The Chrysalis Academy who walked along the promenade from Mouille Point to Sea Point to raise their voices against gender based violence. They sang, they held hands, they carried their banners high, stuck message flags in their hair - and they made a powerful statement that undoubtedly impacted all the dogwalkers, runners, pushchairs and leisure crowd out for a Saturday morning stroll.  They were led by two other inspiring women - Lucille Meyer, CEO of The Chrysalis Academy and Marlene le Roux, CEO of Artscape - and in conjunction with WoW - Western Cape on Wellness, they were fighting fit and ready to get the word out there.
As much as the walk itself and the motivation behind it, what also impressed me was hearing about the course the girls (or women rather aged 18 to 25) are undergoing at the Academy. From 'vulnerable' communities all over the Western Cape, from Oudtshoorn to Stellenbosch, to the Cape Flats and townships, they have been recruited to do an intense three month personal training programme that takes them through orientation and self-esteem building, a range of skills - firefighting, welding, cookery, youth development and environmental awareness, leadership and the value of volunteering. Bonding and interpersonal skills are clearly integral.
 At the end of the walk, time to gather together for a quick pic to mark the occasion - joined by the feisty Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies who know all about the value of putting one foo in front of the other. So thanks for the walk and huge congratulations to all the team and young women at The Chrysalis Academy. And especially love to my young friend and fellow walker who has found perhaps more than she hoped for during this course. I wish her well - and look forward to seeing her on the journey.  And now for some well-earned rest! Best wishes, Nancy. Find out more about The Chrysalis Academy and their programmes on https://chrysalisacademy.org.za/3-month-programme/
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 This is the woman who started it all....PHILOMENE LUYINDELA, French teacher, translator and author of....  'Widening of the Womb and Other Stories', which gave rise to our Story Cafe discussion on FAITH & FEMINISM with the panel.....
And here are just some of the thoughts shared: FAITH is inseparable from community.....is an evolving situation....is my connection to other people......a belief that there is something good. RELIGION is a man-made system, an issue of interpretation of texts...if God is male then male is God....it's time to rewrite texts FEMINISM is calling back the pieces of our souls that have been scattered.....is focusing on people who have been oppressed.....between Faith and Feminism there is suspicion on both sides.....like black people, as women we have not recorded our stories. And on GENDER BASED VIOLENCE...we need .to retell our stories...faith institutions need to hand the mic to those who don't usually get to speak. 16 Days of Activism needs to be 365 Days. We are prisoners of the thinking of the times. We need new stories. Much more was said, much more is to be said. But for now a big thank you to the panel for their informed wisdom and to all who came to listen, for their thoughts and questions. Till next time. October 26 2019 WOMAN ZONE Images: Theresa Smith Words: Nancy Richards   Sisters Incorporated celebrates 60 years of care and survival......  .....with one very beautiful book, called 'Survivors'. But what is Sisters? And who do they care for? Simply put, 'Sisters' is a beacon of hope in a community ravaged by domestic violence and abuse. They provide care, lodging, counseling and skills to those who need it most - which includes every woman, teenager and child in crisis and in need of healing physically, emotionally and spiritually. Sisters Incorporated was born back in 1959 when a group of women, each of whom cared very deeply about the plight of other women in trouble, got together to see how they could make a difference. Six decades later they continue to make a difference - helping many hundreds, if not thousands of women survive and thrive. But their own journey is one of survival too - due largely to the teams of caring, dedicated women that have and continue to make it happen.  And on August 24th 2019, a group of key women came together at Artscape to celebrate both their suvrival and their book.  Most important among them was Lyn Veldhuizen. Back in 1959, together with Sue Henderson, Lynn formally co-founded Sisters Incorporated - and tirelessly continues to consult and support them today.
 With especially rich memories and the fine-tuned perspective that comes with many years experience in the field of social care was Chair of the Sisters Board, Dr Amelia Jones.
 As the current Manager of 'Sisters' at the old, but warm and welcoming house in Kenilworth, Delene Roberts has been described as a diamond. And the many facets she displays on a daily basis certainly makes her reputation glitter. While she has her own brand of leadership, she stands on the shoulders of a number of strong and caring managers before her - many of whom you can read about in the book.
 In so many ways 'Sisters' has been wonderfully creative - in their actions and pro-activity, in the resourcefulness and fund raising - and now also in their skills room.....
 Woman Zone (for whom Lorraine also designed a beautiful book) salutes Delene (centre) and her dedicated 'Sisters' team - wishing them all strength and energy to continue for many years and decades ahead - as long as there is a need.  And to the visionary team who inspire and share from the bottom of their hearts - on behalf of all sisters-in-need that have or will one day benefit from 'Sisters' love and care, Thank You! You can read much, much more about the story of Sisters Incorporated in the book 'Survivors'. To find out how to get a copy, how to support or volunteer, check their website www.sisters.org.za, email them on admin@sisters.org.za or call 021 797 4190.
Photographs: Theresa Smith Event co-ordination: Beryl Eichenberger both of Woman Zone  The day the women of Clickatell got to share their stuff!  It was a crisp, winter morning in August and Woman Zone was proud to be invited to come and share their story with sistahs at Clickatell. Clickawho? we wondered. Well turns out this lively outfit is a B2B mobile technology company that enables startups, small-to-medium businesses and enterprises to better manage their 'chat'. Peter de Villiers opened proceedings with stories of the women in his life......and then.....  ....we got to chat!
 Finally there was an opportunity for some sweet talk with specially made motto cookies for everyone. All in all we had a great morning sharing and investing in all the Clickatell values: Curious, Collaborative, Champion, Courageous and enormously Creative. Thank you ClLICKATELL, with love from WOMAN ZONE!  The Women's Humanity Walk, a highlight of the Artscape Women's Humanity Arts Festival started this year at one of Cape Town's most iconic buildings - The Castle of Good Hope....
 .....good humour, thoughtfulness, mindfulness and spirituality from the leaders of different faiths, brought to us by SAFFI, the SA Faith and Family Institute.  Reminding the walkers of where women are still at in these troubled times, Marlene le Roux, CEO of Artscape took her place above the statue row of kings and leaders......
 ....and there was just time for some memory pics before we hit the streets....  ....where the early bird Marshalls had been strategically placed to keep everyone on track.....
 ....while wheelchairs rolled out the message.
 ...even Mother Goose came too....  ....till we finally arrived.....
 ....and great big thanks to Marlene for opening up the doors of Artscape to us all!  Viva Artscape viva. Viva Marlene viva. Viva Woman Zone viva! See you all next year.  .....UMFANEKISO WOMAMA OQINQWE NGOCINGO.....EK IS DRAADVROU!  Hi, Molo, Hallo! My 'birth mothers' were Sue Kramer (above) and Lovell Friedman (below. They designed me in 2016 and I was built by a team of wonderful wire workers at Street Wires.  But I was conceived by a whole group of women to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Women's March on August 9 1956 when 20,000 women walked to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the Pass Laws and demand peace, justice and freedom. Here are just some them welcoming me to Artscape.  Because there are only two other statues of women in Cape Town (eish!), I was created to represent ALL women in the Mother City, past, living and those yet to be born. So it was important that I should look good and be well dressed.  I was 'launched' so to speak, at Artscape's annual Women's Humanity Arts Festival. My new family at Woman Zone had been given many metres of shweshwe fabric by Da Gama Textiles to decorate the truck that would be leading their Women's Humanity Walk - they had quite a bit left over, so they were able to give me a shawl and a doek.....  ....but my real 'clothes' were going to be labels written by the women of Cape Town with the names of their women heros, role models, loved family members or just friends.  Marlene le Roux, my 'godmother' and CEO of Artscape was one of the first to write a name and attach it to my skirt....  After that a rush of women (and a few men) came to add their name labels, at the launch, throughout the Festival and beyond.  Here I am with my proud birth mothers and godmother. Thank you lovely ladies for bringing me into being, and to all the 'doulas' who helped.  After that I was brought up and proudly displayed in the Artscape foyer, my labelled. layered skirt, fluttering in the wind.  Of course, being a woman, it wasn't long before I needed a new outfit.  And just in time for summer, I was transformed into Mother Earth by Annie Bisset!  Then, yup, you guessed, once my 'dressers' saw that I responded well to new outfits, they gave me another one - and here I am a few months later as Woman of Words! Covered in proof pages from books supplied by Modjaji, publisher of women's titles.  ....and then, true as Bob, Annie's at it again........  So here I am as a very smart lady from the Bo-Kaap - and please note my fancy silver slippers from Artscape's wardrobe department!  And no, this is not my dancing partner, this is me being moved to the stairwell on the way to the Chandelier Foyer!  Next came Christmas and here I am as Joy, to the world.  And though I say it myself, I looked rather good at night as well!  But then my team got busy again! This time Willemien de Villiers joined Annie....and I went seriously colourful....  ...turned into the kaleidoscopic Khayelitsha yoyo queen, using yoyos made by The Everywoman Project (but that's another Woman Zone story).  But you know what they say about change - compulsive and inevitable.....and here I am as Mama Afrique.....  ....and visitors from home and abroad just love to have their picture taken with me. Sadly I can't do selfies.  Until, reduced down to my undergarments, I took a short break.....  ....while my dressers Annie and Nancy took a visit to Artscape's incredible wardrobe department overseen by Fritz Feinauer. And look what they found.....  So here I am transforming back in time, into no less an historical figure than.....  Krotoa herself! Otherwise known by her colonial employers, the van Riebeeck Family, as Eva.  And just in case you dont know my story as Krotoa.....here it is, in an extract from a book called 'Like Family' by Ena Jansen. This certainly wont be my last incarnation as one of the many women of Cape Town, so if you have any ideas on who else I could be, or you would like to help with future outfits, do get in touch on info@womanzonect.co.za. Much love, WIRE WOMAN xx  ​Coolest choice of venue for the WOMAN ZONE year-end lunch was 4ROOMED eKASI CULTURE in Khayelitsha - chez Abigail!  So, meet Abigail Mbalo - mostest hostess who welcomed us with warmth, joy and the widest smile into her eKasi Cultural kitchen.....  The food is classy...glazed pap with microherbs a favourite.....  .....and appetites were hearty - with calls for more!  And the visuals, irresistible!  ....fresh and flourishing.....  ....with service to match......  There were intros and welcomes...  And Abigail shared her self-determined story from dental technician in the suburbs to creative restaurant royalty in the township - and uber inspiration....  She sure had our attention.....  Maria followed with her story of domestic worker to guest house owner....  Followed by activist Pharie with her's of founding Lulibo an organisation to uplift young women in Nyanga....  Storytellers Nolu, Philippa and Gilly told us a bit about their own stories.....  ....some of us took the opportunity for a nap.....  ...while the busy kitchen was busy preparing for the next arrivals.....  ....and finally time for us to say hambani kahle.....  ......and smiling Talent the driver kindly came to take us all home in a smart MLT Corp bus.....a treat!  With special thanks, a warm hug and a Woman Zone YoYO badge to the divine Miss Abigail....until we meet again. A five star visit to: www.4roomedekasiculture.com with five star transport with www.mltcorp.co.za  Take two women who've not only plunged the depths of addiction, but written the book and come out the other side in tact - and you have a recipe for some serious wisdom. SARA-JAYNE KING (left) author of Killing Karoline and MELINDA FERGUSON author of Smacked, of Hooked and of Crashed shared some explosive anecdotes and some incisive insight at a Story Cafe last weekend. Just a few memorable quotes: 'Addicts feel very at home with failure.' 'If I'd written a book in active addiction it would have been bullshit.' 'Catharsis is overrated.' 'Once I'd put my darkness into the light - the light spread.' 'The shit doesn't go away just because you've written a book.' 'Use your privilege - go to a clinic.'  The theme for The Women's Humanity Walk this year was Uniting Cape Town in Faith...  ....and it got off to an early start at the Bo-Kaap - under the watchful eye of Table Mountain.  Early arrivals got the Schotschekloof Community Centre, warmed up - thanks Beryl - and wired up for sound - thanks Luyanda of Selective Hearing.  ....till very soon the crowds had gathered.  Everyone was a VIP, but it was a special honour to have Cape Town City Mayor Patricia de Lille with us.....  ....so the Mayor and Marlene delivered powerful words, and songs....  ....and there were prayers and blessings by women faith leaders from SAFFI South African Faith and Family Institute - with sign interpretation by Nombulelo.  And then we were on our way....  Kari marshaled the willing City marshals.....  ....while those travelling in special style, courtesy Cape Town Side Car Adventures got buckled up.....  ....and some in need of wheels, brought their own!  Especial thanks to the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies who carried our flag with a song in their hearts.....  ....and the biker gals took the lead around St George's Cathedral.....  Smiles, song and sunlight bonded the faithful of all denominations together....  .....and the stragglers brought up the rear....  Marshals marshaled with pride.....  ....women walked and talked.....  ....families and communities showed their spirit....  ....and some just couldn't keep from grinning.  At the end of Adderly St, the procession rounded the bend....  ...with Marlene and mascot Christopher in poll position...  And we arrived safe, sound and fully amped.  Our Walk done for another year....  ......and well covered by a battery of cameras....  ....it was time to mark the occasion of Artscape's Women's Humanity Arts Festival.....  ....with joy....  ....with thanks - to Naushad for providing over 4000 meals.....  ....and with a fabulous song and dance programme courtesy Sis Thoko.  And all in the name of Faith. Thank you to all who walked in good faith with us - and we look forward to seeing you next year. The WOMAN ZONE team. xx Photographs courtesy Theresa Smith.  The Woman's Walk and Talk - Past and Present got off to a fragrant start at the Fynbos Experience at Cape Town Heritage Centre in the Company's Garden.....  .....Giselle Courtney talks us through the scented teas.....  .....the Whites Only bench in Queen Victoria Street brings us back to realities and memories....  ....more memories evoked by Mary Burton who shared stories from her book, The Black Sash: Women for Freedom and Justice....  .....outside St George's Cathedral - symbol of peace and protest and a haven of refuge in so many ways, then and now.
 On we stride through the streets and squares - talking and stopping to share.....  .....till we reach Krotoa Place where we think of young Khoi heroine Eva Krotoa and Bernie Mshana tells us all about Brave: Rock Girl the organisation empowering young women.....  ....and there's a photo op on the new timber Rock Girl bench made to take the place of the mosaic one that honoured Krotoa before it was destroyed by Khoisan activists.
 ....where having worked up an appetite we did justice to the hot delicious food....  ....and Tanzanian Bernie felt right at home - and was persuaded to tell her own story.
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