North West Premier, Thandi Modise, said that the people of South Africa should honour women for helping to deliver freedom in our land, for keeping families intact and for raising children under harsh and desperate conditions. Premier Modise was speaking to over 300 women during the Premier’s Women Awards in Rustenburg over the weekend.
“People don’t understand how women suffered under apartheid. We were stripped naked of our culture and dignity,” she said. “Women have a responsibility to reclaim their space. Let us teach our children our history and culture because they do not know who they are.
The Premier said that a woman is the conscience of the nation: “Teen pregnancy and drug abuse is a serious challenge in our society. I urge parents to be exemplary and become positive role models”.
The following four women groups received certificates of recognition and appreciation from the Premier:
· Tshwaraganang consists of twelve women from Kraaipaan who are involved in a sewing project. They have set their sights on expanding into dry cleaning business to assist villagers who have to travel for dry cleaning services.
· Bana Ba Kgotso is a home-based care project for the orphaned, elderly and disabled. They ensure that AIDS and TB patients do not default on their treatment. They have a garden that ensures nutrition for the sick and needy.
· Philani is a project that cares for the sick in the area of Jouberton. They ensure that treatment is followed up properly through house visits by caregivers. The women also care for the poor and indigent.
· Nonong Farming Project is a livestock farming project which was started in 2006. It consists of twenty-eight women who have 98 cattle. The project aims to contribute to job creation for surrounding communities.
Premier Modise congratulated these women for being the pillar of their communities and for sacrificing their times and resources to help deliver a better life for their citizens.
“These women are exemplary citizens. I am proud of them and all of us value their contributions in creating a better society”, she said.
Enquiries: Cornelius Monama
Tel: 018 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
Email: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za\ cmonama@gmail.com
