South Africa: Human Resource Division ladies held their first-ever Ladies High Tea event at Blue Crane Lodge, Brooklyn, Pretoria, to empower each other and talk about finances, legal and security matters that affect women in the place of work and home on Thursday, 31 August 2023.
Advocate Magongwa and Phungi Baloyi from the Pink Warrior Foundation were the main speakers invited to engage with the ladies.
Addressing the ladies, Advocate E. Magongwa educated the ladies about recognized types of marriages in South Africa, civil marriages, civil unions and customary marriages, registration of which is managed by the Department of Home Affairs. She also said that it is vital to fully understand each regime’s legal, financial and tax consequences to make an informed decision.
Also on the guest list was Reabetswe Semenya, who is the Managing Director at JOHNBAK SOLUTIONS, a global leader in providing business and technology consulting services that transform organizations through innovative ICT Solutions.
She gave ladies tips on how to thrive in business. She said, firstly, you have to be passionate about your work, products and services. She also spoke about understanding the environment your business will operate in and, most importantly, employing a good team that will understand and support your vision.
Taking to the podium, Phungi Baloyi, Pink Warrior Foundation, who is a two-time Breast Cancer Survivor, a cancer activist, accountant and the wife of retired legendary goalkeeper Brian Baloyi, shared her cancer journey with the ladies and also emphasized the importance of going for screenings and starting treatment sooner.
She also said that she is adamant that if detected early, breast cancer can be treated, and she is living proof that one can survive. She moved ladies to tears with her testimony and how she looks forward to working with the SA National Defence Force ladies going forward with breast cancer issues.
In closing, Colonel M. Swart, Officer Commanding Regional Provost Commander, Military Police Division, empowered ladies about self-defence. She said most women consider self-defence an optional skill set that tends to be on the bottom of the list, if at all, of things to learn. Self-defence is one of the special skills women can learn, especially in these perilous times. Of the few things to learn is vigilance, preparation and good instincts. Taking self-defence classes is quite empowering.