The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Gender Forum hosted a Women’s Day event aimed at celebrating women and recognising their strength, at the Sastri College Hall on Friday, 25 August 2023,.

In attendance at the event was the Chairperson of the Gender Forum, Dr Rosaline Govender, multidisciplinary artist, Ayanda Nxumalo, Virgin Active trainer, Lady Fair Mngadi, Treasurer of the Gender Forum, Dr Rekha Maniram, Secretary of the Gender Forum, Ronelle Tyson, Gender Forum members and external stakeholders.

Welcoming the guests was Ms Navitha Ramroop, Administrative Assistant: IT Support Services, “I’m very fond of this saying that where there is a woman there’s magic, so I see that magic in this room all around us. A very warm welcome to you the honoured members, and on behalf of the Gender Forum executives, I am extremely pleased to welcome you to the commemoration of women’s month and the celebration of the phenomenal theme of ‘ I am women’. As women we get so involved with work, it just takes its toll on us. So, we are here to celebrate us and the incredible contribution that we make to modern society,” she said.

Explaining the context of the event to the guests, Dr Govender relayed that the Gender Forum did not only cater for women but also for men who are also in the Gender Forum. She then spoke on the significance behind Women’s Day which marks the anniversary of the great women’s march of 1956, where women marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the carrying of pass books.

She then went onto speak about the critical dialogue where all the women chanted: I am courageous, I am creative, I am  beautiful, I am strong, I am independent, I am vivacious, I am woman.

“My topic that I will be navigating is gender challenges because these are human right issues, issues of women are human right issues,” she said.

She then  gave the platform to the women in attendance to share their stories and how to combat such challenges as a unit, and as the Gender Forum, look at ways on how to take such battles forward. Issues brought to the fore included rape, more opportunities regardless of one’s gender, including economic participation and decision-making. After a serious discussion,  personal trainer, Lady Fair Mngadi, who is from Virgin Active, broke the ice and got women to dance to some groovy beats and let loose.

This was followed by a superb performance by the amazing Women Kantu experience, who proved their mettle with their superb drama skills, receiving thunderous applause for their immaculate play. A vote of thanks was delivered, followed by a scrumptious lunch where many women took the opportunity to network with each other.

Pictured: Women in attendance at the event.

Waheeda Peters