Karabo Ntanzi
Three hundred and fifty delegates from all nine provinces descended on Mitta Seperepere Convention Center in Kimberley to witness the first South African Heroine Awards (SAHA) in the Northern Cape.
Hosted on Women’s Day, the Convention Centre was filled with men and women dressed to the nines.
Thanks to the Mme Re Ka Thusa Trust Fund, the 14th edition of SAHA was the Northern Cape’s turn to host this prestigious event, queens such as Kediemetse Bogaleboile, Gladys Matshele, Kedidaletse Williams and Masego Job, to mention a few, were previously awarded in other provinces.
Participants are nominated in various categories and thereafter, the public is invited to vote.
On Women’s Day, 35 recipients from different walks of life were awarded certificates of recognition. As tradition, five candidates who receive the highest number of votes are honoured with black blazers.
The 1st Deputy Secretary of the ANC, Nomvula “Mama Action” Mokonyane, took the opportunity to educate the audience about the struggle that women went through and the significance of Women’s Day. “Women’s Day is what it is because of special women like Mittah Seperepere. When they returned from exile in 1991 at the ANC conference in Durban, they made a call that once we are in power, August 9 must be a holiday. It’s not a holiday just to do laundry, it’s a day to share and celebrate each other and our freedom, even though we are not liberated, ” she alluded.
“Of course, things are not that good yet in our country, but nobody said things would be done and dusted within 30 years when we have been oppressed for over 400 years. My motivation to you all is that today is better than 1956, and tomorrow will be better than 2025 because of all of us. We need to appreciate young South Africans. After your turn, mine will come. Let’s celebrate Caroline, she is our Albertina Sisulu,” she continued.
The current second lady of the country, Humile Mashatile, also took the stage and continued teaching delegates about the challenges faced by parents with autistic children. “People living with autism do not get the support they deserve. The community needs to understand autism; they should know that an autistic child’s brain is wired differently”, she said.
SAHA was founded by Caroline Mosiamo in 2012. It is registered as a non-profit organisation. The organization’s objective is to celebrate and support women. Since its inception, the NPO has annually acknowledged women across various spectrums throughout the country.
Mosiamo applauded the Northern Cape government, especially MECs Venus Blennis-Magage and Mase Manopole, for their involvement. “I’ve been presenting these awards for 14 years, and it was pleasant to receive a call from the MEC, ensuring that everything went well”. She also thanked Glady Matshele, CEO of Mme Re Ka Thusa Trust Fund, for initiating this collaboration.
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