Empowering young women was at the centre of the recent Afrocentric International Student Affairs pre-conference, recently held at the Bellville Campus.
The event, presented by EmpowHer-SA-CPUT, was dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in leadership, growth and resilience and included displays of arts and culture and thought-provoking panel discussions.
Dean of Student Affairs, Nonkosi Tyolwana, welcomed the audience with a message of encouragement.
“You are not vulnerable. You are in charge of this society… you can lead and you have all the potential to lead.”
Zimasa Dumbisa from the Mowbray Local Student Representative Council delivered a message of support.
“As we gather here today, let us acknowledge the women who paved the way for us. Let us celebrate their achievements, their courage and their commitment to excellence, but let us also recognise that there is still a lot of work to be done. Let us continue to empower each other as women in leadership.”
Brightness Mangolothi, Director of the Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Change, spoke on the topic of Advancing Equality and Access for Young Women in Education and Leadership.
“I just want to say to you when we talk about participation, we are the ones that we've been waiting for. You are the leader that you desire. In most cases, we think we have to wait for someone to make the change in our lives. We are the change that we want to see.”
Prof Dionne Rosser-Mims, Vice-Chancellor of Troy University in the United States of America, said it was a “profound honour” for her to attend the event.
“To the students in this room, your voice matters. Your presence is powerful. You are not the leaders of tomorrow; you are the leaders of today. To the allies who are in this room – your role is not to speak for but to stand with. Use your privilege to amplify and not overshadow,” she said.
Other speakers included HERS-SA chairperson, Dr Soraya Beukes, the Division of Student Affairs’ Melani-Ann Hara, who provided an overview of the EmpowHer Programme and entrepreneur, Itumeleng Maganedisa.
Dr Melanie Swanson, Head of the HIV/Aids at CPUT, said the event “created a platform for empowered voices that echoed growth, addressed barriers and for seeing a new generation of bold, brilliant young women”.
She said the event was a launchpad for future women leaders, leading in their spaces.
“This type of platform reinforces our commitment towards passing the baton to them to lead as young minds.”
