By Loveness Hulwane

The Goddess Night event hosted by the North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus Arts Unit was truly a night to remember. The ladies went all out, and their stunning attire perfectly embodied the event's theme, "A Bridgerton Affair".

The event aimed to foster a spirit of sisterhood among the attendees, drawing inspiration from the popular series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

The guest speaker for the evening, Juanita Oosthuizen, founder and director of Show Your Talent South Africa, addressed the audience on the theme of "Pushing beyond boundaries". "Doing the things you don't want to but have to do, is what will get you where you want to be. Use boundaries as opportunities to grow and overcome the hardships that come with them,” she emphasised.

She added that boundaries are what kept us in place as children, but as we grow older, we want to break these constraints because of the opportunities of growth they provide, and the change and extraordinary achievements they come with.’

She encouraged the audience, saying, "Ladies, we are our own boundaries, and only we can push through and break them in every aspect of our lives. Step beyond the familiar and venture into the unknown—it's in these moments that we discover our true potential. This journey requires courage, demands resilience, and involves taking risks, facing failures, rising above them, standing up for your beliefs, and believing in yourself. Empower one another; be a platform, a mentor, and lift each other up. Celebrate successes, learn from setbacks, keep pushing your boundaries, and live your dreams."

"A boundary is not a wall; it's simply a threshold you can step over and break," she remarked in closing.

Student Life cultural officer and event organiser Lethiwe Kubheka, then facilitated a discussion session – “Let’s have a conversation” – focusing on "fixing your crown" and the strength found in vulnerability.

As the event drew to a close, a panel discussion on "Becoming your sister’s keeper: Impact and legacy" provided attendees with the opportunity to explore the power of vulnerability and sisterhood. Panel speakers included Lethiwe, Juanita Oosthuizen, Chido Pauline Chiwanja, the current reigning Ms Oracia and second princess of the Miss NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus pageant, Mandisa Khumalo, Miss Grand SA ambassador, and Mapule Zichalley, an educational specialist.

“Women of 1956 fought their battle and passed the baton. Now, as women of the NWU, it is our responsibility to carry that legacy forward. In 2024, our focus is clear: it’s time to fix our crowns, and there is no better place to start than right here at the NWU. The journey to empowerment begins with us. It all starts here,” said Lethiwe.

The ladies went all out during the Goddess Night event and their stunning attire perfectly embodied the event's theme, "A Bridgerton Affair".