By Mafumane Tlhapi and Lethabo Matjiu
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Student Campus Council (SCC) on the Mahikeng Campus invited young female students and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to an event to celebrate Women’s Month on 17 August 2024.
The MCs, Vukile Ncango and Roana Grey, emphasised that the purpose of the event was to empower and inspire the young women present as they pursue their goals. The theme, “Standing My Ground,” was echoed throughout the event by the guest speakers, offering support and encouragement to the young female audience and LGBTQIA+ members.
The guest speakers included Masego Leburu, a client engagement officer at Lonely Park Clinic, Thato Moagi, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Nomathemba Makhapela, an NWU alumnus and businesswoman, and Palesa Tsibane, a runner-up in the Miss South Africa 2021 competition.
During her introduction, Palesa broke down the word "WOMAN", giving each letter a powerful and purposeful meaning: Warriors, Obedient, Mature, Achievers and Nurturers.
In a panel discussion led by Vukile Ncango, University of KwaZulu-Natal alumnus and founder of "Shining the Spotlight to Our Game Changers", Palesa was asked what motivated her to enter the Miss South Africa competition. She spoke of her personal growth in confidence, her passion for empowering women, and her determination to stand her ground in male-dominated corporate spaces. The students were captivated by her presence and eagerly asked her questions.
NWU alumnus Nomathemba Makhapela shared her journey of obtaining her master’s degree through hard work, planning and consistency, encouraging current students to adopt a similar approach. As a scientist and owner of a beauty company, NOXI, she recounted how she improved her craft while still a student. Coming from a disadvantaged background, she had to find ways to make money, and her skills as a hairdresser and makeup artist provided her with the means to support herself during university. When asked about her experiences with failure, she described it as an opportunity for growth and learning.
After the panel discussion NWU lecturer Thato Moagi offered valuable advice on financial literacy, urging the audience to be wise with their money.
From left are guest speakers at the event: Palesa Tsibane, a runner-up in the Miss South Africa 2021 competition, Nomathemba Makhapela, NWU alumnus and businesswoman, Masego Leburu, a client engagement officer at Lonely Park Clinic, and Thato Moagi, a lecturer at the NWU’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.
